Smile!

Flash Thompson, a professional photographer, finds himself stranded in a remote wilderness with nothing but a Polaroid camera containing ten final shots. His survival depends on rationing these precious remaining photographs until rescue arrives. The story follows Flash's careful decisions about when and why to use each irreplaceable photo, as he faces challenges in the harsh environment. Each photograph represents both an opportunity and a difficult choice in his fight for survival. Throughout this brisk adventure, the book examines ideas about the value of images, the power of photography, and what truly matters when facing isolation in nature.

Readers describe this as a quick, atmospheric ghost story that leans more into creepy suspense than outright scares. Many note it works well for ages 9-12 who want spooky tales without gore or violence. Liked: - Victorian photography premise creates eerie tone - Strong sense of time/place in 1800s setting - Main character Flash's determination and bravery - Short chapters maintain momentum - Historical details about early photography Disliked: - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers wanted more character development - Parents note a few unsettling moments for sensitive kids Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (26 reviews) Book Depository: 4/5 "Perfect balance of history and spookiness" - School librarian review "The photography facts woven into the story add extra intrigue" - Parent reviewer "Atmospheric but not too scary for middle grade" - Teacher review

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🔸 Geraldine McCaughrean has won the prestigious Carnegie Medal three times - a rare achievement shared by only a handful of authors in the award's history. 🔸 Polaroid cameras, featured prominently in the book, were revolutionary when introduced in 1948 because they could develop photos instantly without a darkroom. 🔸 The author has written over 170 books, including the official Peter Pan sequel "Peter Pan in Scarlet," which was commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital. 🔸 Survival situations like the one depicted in the book typically give people just 72 hours to be found before their chances of survival decrease significantly. 🔸 McCaughrean's writing process involves extensive research into her subjects - she spent months studying wilderness survival techniques and photography to create authentic details for this story.