An Alabama Department of Education "Emphasis on Reading" Selection When 14-year-old Jason Caldwell goes camping with his scientist parents, all he expects is peace and quiet. But before they arrive, Jason has already been the witness to a crime, and soon he’ll find himself lost among the very longleaf pines that his parents hoped to study. Now Jason―and his new forest-smart friend Leah―will have to use all their knowledge of the outdoors to outwit a trio of villains and make it home safe. Set in the real-life Conecuh National Forest, Longleaf is a thrilling adventure for boys and girls―and an excellent introduction to the plants and animals of the Conecuh region, written by Discovering Alabama producer Roger Reid. Reid’s crafted a well-plotted thriller that will keep his audience engaged while they are being educated, starting by hooking the readers at the beginning with Jason speculating that he's about to die. The book is a wild ride that might have the added benefit of opening kids' eyes to the natural beauty the world holds for them. ― Blogcritics Longleaf is pleasantly laced throughout with bits of environmental information about birds, amphibians, and the trees themselves. The story is told in the voice of the 14-year-old Jason and is believable and compelling, with clear prose and a plot that moves right along. Surely there is a market for a book such as this in Alabama’s middle schools. -- Don Noble ― Alabama Public Radio and the Tuscaloosa News Longleaf is an engaging novel that applies a good deal of educational insights into Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest … Reid writes a story that will appeal to most middle school students, ages eleven to fifteen or even older. He hooks readers throughout the story and educates them about the ecosystems and offers environmental information on amphibians, birds, and trees. The prose is clear and told in the voice of the fourteen-year-old Jason. The plot is a thriller with plenty of danger to keep the reader’s interest. ― First Draft An old-fashioned kids vs. criminals adventure with plenty of danger to keep the excitement up ... and with local flora and fauna modestly doled out and well integrated with the main story. Fans of Peg Kehret's novels and other middle-grade adventures will want to join Jason on his walk on the wild side. -- Deborah Stevenson ― The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Readers will find they want more and more of Jason’s adventures in the Alabama wilderness. As far as characters go, he’s likable and smart. Maybe Reid will take a cue from the fans who are sure to line up after reading this book and create a series starring Jason and the rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains of Alabama. -- Michelle Eubanks ― The Florence Times Daily Lively characters and fast-paced action draw you right along through South Alabama's Conecuh National Forest so engagingly that you will want to devour Longleaf in one sitting but force yourself to savor every chapter of this book. Enjoy a rollicking good story and learn about a unique ecosystem at one time. -- Billy Moore ― author of Cracker’s Mule and Little Brother Real Snake We would like to bring an excellent new book to your attention; appropriately titled Longleaf. Longleaf plays out in the mature longleaf of the Conecuh National Forest. It was interesting to see familiar ponds, roads, and historical events included in this short, but worthy drama. ― Longleaf Alliance Newsletter Longleaf is the action-packed story of two teenagers fleeing for their lives deep in the piney woods of Alabama’s Conecuh Forest. Reid has created a real hero in fourteen-year-old Jason Caldwell, seemingly a know-it-all who is bested by fifteen-year-old Leah. As the mystery unfolds, Jason and Leah must pool their knowledge of the forest environment to escape their would-be captors ... Filled with humor and witty dialogue and infused with tidbits of wisdom from the natural world. Let us hope Reid will take Jason and Leah on another Alabama outdoor adventure. -- Virginia Pounds Brown ― author of Mother & Me and The Gold Disc of Coosa During my years of roaming Alabama’s backcountry, I’ve enjoyed many long treks through the vast longleaf wildlands of the Conecuh National Forest. For me, reading this book is as close as I can come to being there without getting sand in my boots. Longleaf brings to life the amazing wild critters and the secret hidden realms that make this forest a land of adventure. -- Doug Phillips, host ― Discovering Alabama Reid’s crafted a well-plotted thriller that will keep his audience engaged while they are being educated, starting by hooking the readers at the beginning with Jason speculating that he's about to die. The book is a wild ride that might have the added benefit of opening kids' eyes to the natural beauty the world holds for them. Longleaf is pleasantly laced throughout with bits of environmental information about birds, amphibians, and the tree