Footprints in Time cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 5.7
Points 7.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 41867
Points per Word 0.000167
Page Count 248
Points per Page 0.028226

Description

Jack Conran, a teenager who loves wildlife, joins his scientist father on a research expedition to Tanzania's remote Witch's Pot, a storm-shrouded crater in the savanna. When their plane crashes, Jack is left injured and alone among dangerous predators, but a mysterious creature rescues him and becomes his guide. Together they battle lions, harsh weather, and the struggle to find a way back to civilization. To survive, Jack must uncover the creature's ancient secrets and learn how to use them against the wilderness's threats.

Quick Summary

Jack's world flips upside down when his plane crashes on the African savanna, leaving him the only survivor and forcing him to learn how to stay alive in a place that feels both beautiful and dangerous. He quickly meets a strange, almost mythical creature that becomes his guide, showing him how to find water, avoid predators, and read the landscape like a living map. The story mixes the gritty tension of survival with moments of humor and a lot of heart, especially as Jack wrestles with missing his father and discovers the value of an unlikely friendship. If you love adventure stories like Hatchet or the magical realism of The Wild Robot, this book will keep you turning pages, and the mix of real African ecology facts adds an extra layer of fascination. Parents will appreciate the balance of excitement and educational tidbits, while kids who enjoy a dash of mystery and a touch of humor will find it hard to put down.