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~ TUESDAY MIDDLE-GRADE
FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'OFF THE RAILS' --
AUTHOR SUSAN COUNT
Off The Rails - A Wilderness Survival Adventure
by Susan Count
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About Off The Rails
Off The Rails - A Wilderness Survival Adventure
Middle Grade Fiction
Reading age : 8 - 12 years
2nd in Series
Setting - Montana Publisher : Hastings Creations Group
Publication date : September 1, 2026
Print length : 204 pages Paperback
ISBN-10 : 1952371236
ISBN-13 : 978-1952371233
Digital will be available too.
After planning a fun experience for a year, two Texas cousins make their first trip to Montana. When their train stalls, the boys leap from it into the white wilderness, beginning a perilous run for their lives.
As a blizzard hits, the boys spend a miserable night trying not to freeze. They struggle along the tracks to find shelter, but a disaster leaves them exposed to the elements and every famished wild creature.
Frustrated by their too-real situation, Davy and Anderson struggle to endure. Instead of vacationers at a wolf sanctuary, they become players in an unplanned survival experience.
Just because your cousin jumps from a train in the wilderness doesn't mean you should too.
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EXCERPT:
One hand on Davy’s back, Anderson pushed him through the door into the next compartment. He rushed to the first window, looking both ways, then bee-lined to an empty row of seats in the rear. Travelers raised their eyes momentarily and returned to their diversions.
Without a word, Anderson pointed into the snow-covered wilderness. He motioned for Davy to follow him. They popped out of the car and stood on the platform connecting to the next car. “I saw something moving in the woods.”
“Strange. Was it red? Pileated Woodpecker’s are red. They live in Montana. Some say they are a sign the forest isn’t healthy because they use big dead trees for their nests. They dig in the bark…”
“Not red and it’s not a bird.” Anderson insisted. “It was on the ground weaving through the trees.”
“A fox maybe. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a wild fox?”
“That’s what I’m thinkin’ or a wolf.”
“I was hoping to see an Arctic fox while we’re here. I researched it and they don’t live this far south of the tundra. Their snow-white tails are over a foot long and they use them for balance and to keep their noses warm. They find mice and things to eat buried deep in the snow with their super-sonic hearing.”
“Easy on the animal kingdom lessons.” Holding onto the metal grab bars, Anderson moved down the steps. Then from deep in the woods something yelped in pain. “Did you hear that? Something needs help.”
“Whatever it is, it’s wild. You can’t help it. Whatever wants to eat it would eat you too.”
Anderson moved down another step. “How can I stand here and listen to a helpless animal crying in pain?”
