Bledsoe, Lucy Jane. Tracks in the Snow. Holiday House, 1997. ISBN 0-8234-1309-8. $14.95. 152 pp. A 6-8 FI Reviewed by Wendy Bishop When Amy doesn't show up to babysit, Erin knows something is wrong. Amy always shares secrets with Erin while babysitting, like telling her about the secret cabin in the hills where Erin believes Amy is staying. Erin must convince her parents that tracking animal prints in the snow is an excellent science project, and is the reason she must explore the snowy hills behind their home.”Don't get lost in that imagination of yours,” says her father. Angry and upset, Erin decides Amy's rescue is all up to her. However, it's not all up to Erin. She must now work with Tiffany, whom her teacher assigns to be her science project partner. The idea of exploring the hills does not seem so excellent anymore. How can she work with a girl she hardly knows, and one she believes to be a “sissy” When the two girls get caught in a spring blizzard, Erin begins to appreciate how useful Tiffany is, and their science project turns into a journey of survival. They must depend on each other. Readers, as well as Erin and Tiffany, find themselves giving more thought to what supplies are needed when snowbound for several days. Bledsoe is qualified in writing about outdoor survival, being an active cyclist, mountain climber, backpacker, and skier. Her details of survival are accurate, as well as appealing, and will keep budding scientists on their snow toes.
