Desert Dramas by Greg Barron

In Desert Dramas, Josh and his adventure-loving family head off for their biggest challenge yet: the vast, dry and hot Simpson Desert. Before they leave there’s a football grand final to be won (or not won), and a new kid who Josh takes on as a project. Then, deep in Australia’s arid heart, Josh learns that the desert is beautiful, almost friendly when there’s an air-conditioned Land Cruiser to ride in, but frightening and unforgiving when alone and cut off from help. Then there is that snake. Is it a lethal inland taipan, or something less deadly? As the story moves on, getting out of the desert is never guaranteed. It’s a drama – a desert drama – from start to finish for the Tucker Family’s Tagalong Adventure Tours, a new series of realistic novels for adventure-loving kids of around 9-14 years.