The Cave Challenge

Harry likes to look his best – new white trainers for indoor games, designer jeans for the evening Camp barbecue. But when he meets Bear Grylls exploring an underground maze of caves and tunnels, Harry realizes that his clothes are going to be put to the test – and so is he, if they want to make it back to the surface. Will Harry discover that there’s more to the right kit than just keeping it clean?  

Readers will instantly connect with Harry, who is overly fashion-conscious but seems destined to get dirty. Harry “hated the idea of getting filthy. He would never usually sign up for anything that meant he would trash his clothes or look stupid.” When he’s magically transported into a cave system, Harry has no choice other than to belly crawl through bat guano, swim inside a tunnel, and complete other tasks that get him filthy. At first, Harry’s dislike of dirt is comical, which makes Harry’s transformation all the more satisfying for readers. 

With Bear Grylls as a guide, Harry faces his fears and gains confidence along the way. Throughout the adventure, Harry learns many important life lessons, such as the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. Bear also teaches him that, “Sometimes you just have to take things as they come. . . Some things, you just don’t worry about until you have to.” In the end, Harry no longer cares about keeping his clothes clean because “he had helped Bear get through the caves by being brave and working hard, not because of what style of outfit he was wearing.” 

The Cave Challenge’s large text and illustrations will appeal to readers. The illustrations help readers visualize the story’s events, while also adding humor and suspense. When cave terms are used, the story incorporates a definition, making it easier to read. Additionally, the book is printed “in a reader-friendly font and design” to help those with dyslexia. Two pages of additional information about caves are included at the end of the book. These facts discuss a soccer team in Thailand that got trapped in a cave. Readers who would like more information on the team’s experiences should read All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat. 

The Bear Grylls Adventure Series books can be read as a standalone and do not need to be read in order. Each book focuses on a different child at the outdoor activity camp. Once the camper is given the magical compass, they meet the adventurer, Bear, in an amazing place and learn new skills and facts they can take with them back to their real life. Each book aligns with Common Core Standards, making it suitable for educational purposes.  

The Cave Challenge takes readers into the depths of a natural cave system, where they’ll discover many fascinating facts about the formation of caves. When Harry is uncertain or afraid, Bear’s voice is kind and gentle, which allows Harry to overcome his fears. While Harry’s antics are often funny, Bear never rebukes or teases him. Instead, Bear helps Harry view crawling through caves as a fun adventure, and that tone is infectious. While the plot isn’t unique, young readers looking for adventure will find the story engaging, and it will encourage them to try new things. 

Sexual Content  

• None

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• A magical compass transports Harry to an extensive cave system. One minute, Harry is at camp, and the next, “Camp had vanished.”  
• Without any explanation, Harry is transported back to camp.

Spiritual Content  

• Deep in the cave, Harry finds a statue of a person. Bear says, “The ancient peoples who used to live in this part of the world thought the caverns were entrances to the Underworld, so they would throw offerings in for their gods.” Out of respect, Harry leaves the statue where he found it.