Review: ‘If We Survive’
If there is one phrase to describe the characters in Andrew Klavan’s “If We Survive,” it would be “bad luck.”
In this book, California high school student Will Peterson and three of his friends travel to a poor, secluded village in Central America to help rebuild a school. Just before they leave, though, an armed rebellion occurs and they are taken prisoners by a group of bloodthirsty villains who target Americans first.
Poor timing. No matter how many times it seems like they have made an amazing escape, a chapter ends with “and then disaster struck.” So, even when they have good luck, they have bad luck. Fortunately, this mortal peril provides an opportunity for character development, as all of the characters must overcome their fears if they want to survive. By the end of their unfortunate journey, the group has built up the skills necessary to make it back home safely.
The reader grows with them and feels somehow both immersed and disconnected to the story and in the end, both the characters and readers realize how much they have compared to others in this world. The author does a fine job of making the characters’ reactions realistic. Each has their own personality and therefore reacts differently to what is going on. For example, one boy idolizes the rebels and believes that they are doing the right thing by taking over the government. It takes him a long time to finally snap out of his denial and accept that the people he thought were good are trying to kill him. Another character is afraid of everything she sees and spends a lot of time screaming. However, by the end of the book, she stands up to her fears and becomes much braver. This progression makes the characters relatable.
The environments are also very detailed, with the jungles and poor villages of the country described beautifully. The group even agrees that if they were not in mortal danger, it would be a nice place.
“If We Survive” is a great reminder of what life is like in less privileged places, but it is also a fine book on its own. I would recommend it to all.
Jeremy Farbman is in the eighth grade at Mellon Middle School in Mt. Lebanon.