In the Woods

Booklist

"While packing in lots of facts about teenage pregnancy, this fast read is more than a problem novel. Cameron's seething jealousy of his gifted twin, her failure, and his growing bond with his sister—and with his niece—will hold readers."

The Horn Book Guide

"The easily accessible story presents some compelling and complicated issues surrounding teenage pregnancy."

CM Magazine

"A fast-paced and engrossing read. Stevenson deals with mature issues, including sexual abuse and teen pregnancy, in an accessible fashion by employing a simple writing style that is ideal for an audience with still-developing reading skills. The plot of the story moves forward swiftly, progressing primarily through the use of dialogue that has a natural quality. In the Woods is an interesting exploration of sibling relationships and family responsibility that will appeal to both genders...Recommended. "

Canadian Teacher Magazine

"The plot moves along fairly quickly, and the characters are well-developed, especially Cameron. I could hear his voice and was with him every step of the way.The ending of the novel is particularly moving and not, perhaps, what one might expect. The issue of teen pregnancy is dealt with frankly, but without judgement, and with compassion."

TeensReadToo.com

"Stevenson brings this grim reality to life as she describes Cameron's struggle to face the truth about his sister. Only 124 pages long, In the Woods takes readers quickly into the emotionally charged situation, and keeps them on the edge of their seats right to the end."

Tri State Young Adult Book Review Committee

"Recommended where hi/lo readers are needed in high schools."

Resource Links

"Good for students who are interested in reading about topics that are serious however need a book that has a more accessible reading level."

Caroline McCoy

Cameron's twin sister Katie is practically flawless. This straight-A student never gets into trouble, rarely makes a mistake, and wouldn't dare keep secrets from her friends and family. Or would she? When Cameron finds a baby alone in the woods, he realizes his sister may not be perfect after all. Could this newborn baby be Katie's or was it just a coincidence? If Katie did abandon her child in hopes that Cameron would find her, what will he do with this knowledge? What will he say to his sister? Cameron's discovery provokes a series of difficult decisions involving sibling trust, concern for others, and identity. This fast-paced story concludes with no decisive moral, leaving readers to reflect on these issues on their own. Much like adolescence itself, Robin Stevenson's In the Woods is wrought with moments of humility, satisfaction, and uncertainty. Reviewer: Caroline McCoy

Children's Literature - Jennifer Lehmann

His twin sister's request is so unusual; Cameron has to do as Katie asks. He does not understand why she wants him to ride the familiar trail with so much personal history, until he hears the baby crying. The abandoned newborn leaves him wondering: what does Katie know, and what should he do about it? This trim novel spans just a few days, encapsulating the crisis Cameron discovers and giving voice to an important player in circumstances that are sadly becoming more frequent. The problem is fully developed, and the solution is handled intelligently. The pages are enough to make the reader care about all of the characters. The personalities and relationships, however, were frequently revealed in an expository way. The brevity of the book may have required some of this, but it would have felt more natural if the narrative had allowed for these aspects to be shown within the telling of the story. Reviewer: Jennifer Lehmann