Odie Gusberry-Smith, who has experienced catastrophe throughout her short 8 years of life, has based her life on facts and believes there are no fairytale endings. Since the disappearance of her world famous biologist mother, Odie has retreated to the attic in her house and limited her interactions with the world to avoid any more sadness and hopefully disasters. Her father, who does not seem to be coping any better, has allowed Odie to be homeschooled, with her tasks arriving via her pet pigeons. Odie is living a very isolated life.
But then life takes a turn. A mysterious package addressed to Odie arrives one day via her carrier pigeons, containing a book called The Grey Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Odds Volume One. This book seems to contain every horrible event that could ever befall a person and more importantly detailed plans on how a Grey Beret cadet could escape and survive such calamities. Just the type of book that appeals to Odie and her need to always be prepared for the worst. Odie eagerly reads and absorbs every detail and happily creates her own grey beret uniform with its 38 pockets containing everything one could possibly need to survive any disaster. And it is not long until her survival skills will be called into action.
Her father announces they need to take a cruise as part of his work to earn enough money to keep their house, their most important connection to her mum. Odie, who would rather stay hidden away at home, realises that, although she is fully informed by the ‘Worst Things to Happen at Sea’ chapter, she needs to accompany him and therefore be ready. But will the Grey Beret’s motto come true - Prepare for the worst. It is surely preparing for you!
And disaster does happen. Suddenly the ship begins to sink and Odie boards a raft with four other children - Sunny, Chuck, Gus and a baby who is dressed as a chicken. They manage to reach an island but it is becoming evident that Odie, who was dressed in her grey beret uniform with multiple pockets, cannot solely prevent every catastrophe that they face. And they certainly encounter many unusual and unique plants and animals that throw up many challenges. The contents of her pockets are not enough - she needs to work with the others to survive these odds.
The reader is taken on a journey never knowing what to expect - how could they when our characters are meeting frogs disguised as flowers that can devour them and berries that explode! But through it all and with some humorous interactions, the reader will feel the anxiety and sadness Odie experiences and journey with her as she realises that being part of a team means you can overcome so much, and even more importantly you can gain what she needed most - friends.
Anna has included a beautiful blend of characters, each with faults and strengths and from diverse backgrounds. These elements all help to create a wonderful reading experience that can help middle grade readers realise that terrible things do happen but we should also look and celebrate that good things happen too. Her dedication at the front of the book sums it up - For the worriers, you’re braver than you think.
This fast paced story is well supported by Erin Reeves black and white illustrations throughout the story, that highlight characters and the amazing array of animals and plants they encounter. Simple in their creation, the pencil drawings give the reader insight into the emotions felt at critical times as well as sense of familiarity and warmth.
The conclusion of the book leaves the reader in no doubt that more adventures will follow as Odie receives Volume Two of the Grey Beret manual in the mail. Guessing what could be inside that volume is exciting especially if it contains even more humorous excerpts like those we were presented with at the beginning of each chapter of this book.
Title: The Grey Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Odds
Author: Anna Battese
Illustrator: Erin Reeves
Publisher: Affirm Press , $22.99
Publication Date: 28 July 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781923135352
For ages: 9 - 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
The reader is taken on a journey never knowing what to expect - how could they when our characters are meeting frogs disguised as flowers that can devour them and berries that explode! But through it all and with some humorous interactions, the reader will feel the anxiety and sadness Odie experiences and journey with her as she realises that being part of a team means you can overcome so much, and even more importantly you can gain what she needed most - friends.
Anna has included a beautiful blend of characters, each with faults and strengths and from diverse backgrounds. These elements all help to create a wonderful reading experience that can help middle grade readers realise that terrible things do happen but we should also look and celebrate that good things happen too. Her dedication at the front of the book sums it up - For the worriers, you’re braver than you think.
This fast paced story is well supported by Erin Reeves black and white illustrations throughout the story, that highlight characters and the amazing array of animals and plants they encounter. Simple in their creation, the pencil drawings give the reader insight into the emotions felt at critical times as well as sense of familiarity and warmth.
The conclusion of the book leaves the reader in no doubt that more adventures will follow as Odie receives Volume Two of the Grey Beret manual in the mail. Guessing what could be inside that volume is exciting especially if it contains even more humorous excerpts like those we were presented with at the beginning of each chapter of this book.
Title: The Grey Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Odds
Author: Anna Battese
Illustrator: Erin Reeves
Publisher: Affirm Press , $22.99
Publication Date: 28 July 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781923135352
For ages: 9 - 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
