WELCOME TO YOUR
AMAZON ADVENTURE
YOURE LOST
IN THE JUNGLE,
AND ITS GETTING DARK
YOUR FRIEND IS DROWNING
IN ELECTRIC-EEL-INFESTED WATERS
YOURE FACE-TO-FACE WITH A JAGUAR THATS READY TO POUNCE
WILL YOU MAKE IT THROUGH
THIS WILD ADVENTURE?
ONLY IF YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES!
YOU have been invited to join a one-of-a-kind expedition to the mighty Amazon, the largest river system in the world and home to countless species of plants, animals, and insects. Your mission is to travel by land and water along the entire length of the Amazon Riverall the way from its source in the Andes Mountains to its mouth on the coast of Brazil.
As you journey for six months through mountains, hills, and (most of all! ) rain forest, youll be faced with many challenges. The choices you make in each situation will determine what happens to you next. There are twenty-six possible endings to your mission, but only ONE PATH through the book will lead you to the ultimate success.
Its all up to you.
How will you know what choices to make? Youre armed with your own good judgment and common sense, and youll have the help of an Expedition File filled with important survival tips. It starts on page 189.be sure to read it first!
Get ready to step into an unforgettable adventure in the Amazon, together with a talented team assembled from around the globe. And remember to be careful, because its a jungle out there!
STUDENTS
DAN FITZGERALD
AGE: 14
HOME COUNTRY: U.S.A.
An adventurous and fun-loving son of a park ranger, Dan is from Montana and grew up in Yellowstone National Park. He seems to know everything about the great outdoors, and can pitch a tent or tie a knot faster and better than anyone you know. But Dans most familiar with the North American climate and his knowledge doesnt always apply to the Amazon, even when he thinks it does.
JING YODSUWAN
AGE: 14
HOME COUNTRY: THAILAND
Although she grew up in the crowded city of Bangkok, Jing has spent much of her life trekking through Asia and Central America with her father, an avid hiker and climber. She inherited his passion for the outdoors, and she has a keen eye for details. She is also a skilled amateur photographer. Her quiet nature can be mistaken for shyness, but Jing is actually a very strong leader.
GUIDE
CARLOS MARRA
AGE: 41 HOME COUNTRY: BRAZIL
Your guide is an imposing and inspiring native of Brazil. Carlos led safaris through Tanzania and Kenya for years before returning to his first love, the Amazon, where hes successfully led numerous expeditions. Everything about Carlos is bighis muscular frame, his booming laugh, and his heart. But he expects everyone to give a hundred percent of themselves to his expeditions, and he wont allow anything less.
TRANSLATOR
FREDDY QUISPE
AGE: 27
HOME COUNTRY: PERU
A member of the Ashaninka tribe, Freddy serves as a translator for Spanish and several indigenous dialects. Freddy has two passions in life: languages and soccer, or ftbol. He is a team player, and beyond his knack for languages, he understands people and how to keep the peace.
TRANSLATOR
ABADIA MORU
AGE: 32
HOME COUNTRY: BRAZIL
A member of the Ticuna tribe, Abadia is extremely proud of the Amazons beauty and resources. Her photographic memory and her passion for all living things make her very helpful.
FILMMAKER
NATHAN GREGOR
AGE: 35 HOME COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA
A critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Nathan has put himself in extreme situations all over the world to capture amazing footage of wildlife and nature. His fearless spirit leads him to put himself at risk for the perfect shot. His energy is infectious, which means he can often convince others to follow him into danger.
DOCTOR
RANIA SULEIMAN
AGE: 38 HOME COUNTRY: EGYPT
After growing up along the Nile River in Egypt, Rania devoted her medical career to saving lives in disaster zones while working with an international relief organization. Shes interested in natural healing and is a vital member of the team. Visiting the Amazon is a lifelong dream of hers, but this expedition is the first of its kind for her.
APRIL 25, 1:00 P.M.
MT. NEVADO MISMI, PERU
Youve just climbed to the top of a snow-capped peak in the Andes Mountains of Peru, and now, near the top, youve found the small spring where the longest river in the world begins. This is the source of the Amazon River! You feel a shiver of excitement as you run your fingers through the ice-cold water.
Quick, mate, say something brilliant! says Nathan, his video camera rolling.
This is absolutely amazing, you say to the camera. I cant believe it. Even though what you said isnt really brilliant, its true. Its hard to believe that an unimpressive trickle of a stream on the side of the mountain, marked by a few crosses and plaques, is the beginning of the legendary river. And its even harder to believe that youre about to attempt what no kid your age has ever done before: travel the entire length of the Amazon over six monthsfrom the source all the way across the continent of South America to the mouth, where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Three weeks ago, you started your trek into the Andes Mountains with a team of five others from around the globe. The journey has already been grueling. Youve pushed your body through rocky and rough terrain, exerting yourself to the point of exhaustion. Youve struggled under the load of a heavy backpack that contains everything you need to survive. And youve battled altitude sickness as your body adjusted to the height of the mountain youre now on.
Next page