I ESCAPED THE GRIZZLY MAZE

I ESCAPED THE GRIZZLY MAZE by Ellen Crowe and Scott Peters

WARNING! THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR SENSITIVE READERS!

Some of you may be familiar with the true Tim Treadwell story. I was not. Tim Treadwell was a man that lived with grizzly bears on multiple occasions and would try and mimic their lifestyle and behavior, so he could learn about and be accepted by them. I ESCAPED the Grizzly Maze is based on his story experienced by a couple of teenagers who desire to learn more about grizzlies.

When Cody and his cousin, Samantha, decide they want to head to Alaska to see the grizzlies firsthand and meet Tim Treadwell in person , they concoct a story for their parents about going to visit their grandfather who lives there. Through a series of events they end up at Katmai Peninsula with their annoying older cousin, Matt, at a place known as The Grizzly Maze. The grizzly bears in the area all gather at that location to fatten up before going into hibernation, but due to a drought, food is scarce. Tim and his girlfriend Amie are camping there. What Cody and his cousins thought was going to be the adventure of a lifetime quickly turns into the nightmare of the century.

I ESCAPED starts off a little hard to get into. First, I found it a little unrealistic that the teens are making all the plans for travel and the parents aren't involved at all. Second, the relationship between the kids is a bit annoying at first. It's supposed to be, especially, when the older annoying cousin, Matt, gets involved. ,(I wouldn't want him anywhere around me and definitely not in a situation with bears.) I honestly quit the book at one point but then picked it back up. The book does allow readers to get a view of grizzly behavior and an experience with Tim Treadwell, The Grizzly Man. Ultimately, there is something to be aware of in the story, but it has to come in the form of a spoiler alert.

HEADS UP- SPOILER ALERT Unfortunately, in real life as well as in this book, Tim Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed by the grizzlies they were camping alongside. The only people to "escape" are Cody and his cousins. The book doesn't go into gruesome details. A trooper admits that their bodies were found. Overall, there are several scary run-ins that the group has with the grizzlies as would be expected. While the book respects and admires grizzles, it is quick to point out that they are large, wild animals.

-At one point Tim calls out to God or Allah asking for rain to break the drought.