It’s hard to believe something as simple as a first-aid app could turn a potential tragedy into a survival story, but Larry Verstraete, the seasoned author of high-action non-fiction titles such as At the Edge, shows young readers how seemingly insignificant details can make a difference in perilous situations. In each of the 30 stories collected in Life or Death, the protagonist is saved by some combination of tenacity, ingenuity, and no small amount of luck.

A great read for middle-graders interested in adventure stories, this book is a perfect fit for school libraries. Not only do these tales of almost certain death keep readers entertained, they also provide a healthy dose of history, geography, technology, and wilderness survival lessons.

From the story of the 33 Chilean miners who survived a mine collapse by rationing their food, keeping busy, and figuring out ways to attract the attention of their rescuers to the man who escaped slavery by having someone mail him, in a box marked “This Side Up With Care,” to the free state of Pennsylvania in 1848, many of the stories give readers a glimpse of what it would be like if they’d been born in a different place or time. Some entries, including one about a snowboarder who kicks a crystal meth habit after being lost in the mountains for eight days, and another about the use of social media during Egypt’s January 2011 protests, highlight important societal issues.

With its accessible language and high-interest subject matter, Life or Death has the right combination of action and educational value to satisfy young readers and the adults in their lives.