Kalahari

Kalahari by Jessica Khoury

Sarah has spent most of her life living in a tent while her zoologist parents did their research in the deserts of Africa. She has never had many outside friends, so when her dad takes on five city kids as part of a conservation exchange program to earn money for their latest project, she is not too excited about the prospect.

Shortly after the kids arrive in the Kalahari desert, her dad and the only other adult in the camp, Theo, hear about some poachers and set off to find out where they are. Sarah is not too happy that her dad has abandoned her, but he promised he would be back by nightfall.

When nightfall comes and then the morning without any sign of her dad, Sarah is not only worried about her dad, but she is angry at him as well, because she is now solely responsible for these city kids.

As Sarah sets out to find her dad and get the kids back to civilization, they discover things are not quite right in Kalahari and they soon find themselves on the run and trying to survive in the cruel climate of the desert. Sarah must use all of the skills she has learned throughout her life in the desert to help them survive and outrun the danger that surrounds them.

Kalahari is a YA sci-fi book that is fast paced and keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. There are a few things in the book that are a little too unrealistic (like a parent leaving a teenager in charge of five other teenagers and zooming off in search of poachers) but other than that it is a fun, quick read.