"Surviving the Sierras" is told through the eyes of twelve year old Jessica. Jessica, Crystal, and Sarah, along with their mother are traveling together when their plane experiences technical difficulties and drops angrily to the ground. The girls are faced with harsh snowstorms, hunger, coyotes, mountain lions, and broken bones, and never lose hope. "The buzz of voices penetrated my scattered thoughts as I noticed a woman rocking back and forth holding her stomach, the woman next to her looked towards heaven, while holding her hands together. I began to freak so I watched my mom closely to gage her fear level. She seemed okay. Fortunately, my little sisters, Crystal and Sarah, weren't aware of my terror yet. Just then the plane began to plummet. The plane spun, and so did my brain, preventing me from focusing on anything. The noise bounced in my ears, and the murmur of prayers became overwhelming."