Praise for The Courage Test: Preller stirs doses of American history into a first-rate road trip that does traditional double-duty as plot device and coming-of-age metaphor.

The Courage Test is a heartfelt novel about adversity and resilience, told from the first-person perspective of a young boy. But the biggest test of his courage isnt on the road its facing an illness that will be life-changing. This, along with getting to know his dad, tests Will in ways he hasnt faced before. Why now? And why is Wills mother practically pushing him out the door? Along the journey, Will meets fascinating strangers and experiences new thrills, including whitewater rapids and a heart-pounding encounter with a bear. His parents are divorced, and he hasnt spent much time with his father. All the while, Will senses that something about this trip isnt quite right. His father, a professor of American history, drags him along on a wilderness adventure in the footsteps of the legendary explorers Lewis and Clark-whether he likes it or not. Book Synopsis In this middle grade novel by James Preller, a father and son journey along the Lewis and Clark Trail-from Fort Mandan to the shining sea-offering readers a genre-bending blend of American history, thrilling action, and the personal discovery that comes with facing an illness. About the Book A father-and-son journey along the Lewis and Clark Trail offers readers a genre-bending blend of American history, thrilling action, and personal discovery in this middle-grade novel.

Courage by Robert Carter