The Adventure Is Now
Jess Redman
May 4, 2021
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Milton P. Greene is having the Most Totally, Terribly, Horribly, Heinously Rotten Year of All Time. He appears to have lost his best friend, he’s being bullied at school, his parents are getting a divorce, and now Milton must go spend the summer with his Uncle Evan, an environmentalist researcher, on a deserted island WITHOUT any electricity. If only he could only play his trusty video game, Isle of Wild, then all his problems might drift to the peripheral and allow him to have some fun.

Facing obvious anxiety, once Milton arrives at the remote Lone Island he decides to become someone else as a coping mechanism. The other kids totally buy that his real name is Sea Hawk and he capitalizes on his naturalist skills, using what he’s learned playing his favorite video game. But between him and the other three children living there, will they have the connection, intelligence, and wisdom needed to uncover the secrets of the Lone Island and prevent it from from falling into corrupt hands?

This was a FANTASTIC book from start to finish – the awkward friendship interactions, the struggle to be honest and vulnerable, the vivid and elaborate description of the adventurous island – this exciting story is BEGGING to be read aloud! In fact, I kept thinking what a wonderfully whimsical movie it would make with all these highly imaginative creatures and the unique island environment. Additionally, I just love that cover AND the book includes the field guide from the story, which was fun to read with the story. My thanks to Netgalley, Jess Redman, and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for allowing me an advanced reader’s copy so that I could provide my honest review. I highly recommend The Adventure Is Now for the home, the classroom, and for children’s libraries everywhere!

You can add it to your Goodreads list HERE.
If you do not have a local bookstore, you may purchase it through IndieBound HERE.
You may also choose to purchase it through Amazon HERE.