Sugar Crash

by Melinda Di Lorenzo

If you were stranded on a deserted island, how would you survive?


I wouldn’t. 


Zoe Harmon doesn’t remember what life was like before she had type one diabetes. Her insulin pump feels like a body part now—just one she has to think about a little more than she thinks about her kidneys or her liver. Yeah, it’s annoying sometimes, but it sure beats being dead. When she begrudgingly accepts a ride to a school camp from her former best friend, Vic Niels, a crash sends them flying off a remote mountain road. Stranded without her phone or insulin, Zoe is forced to team up with Vic in order to save her own life. And his. Twenty-four hours stuck with Vic? Fine. But twenty-four hours without insulin? This could get deadly.


This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Genres: Young Adult, Disability

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[LaDonna Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book. Two teenagers that needed each other to survive a car crash and regain their friendship.
Good book for reluctant readers.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not have one redeeming character. The two main characters are just not particularly nice, but somehow it works for the story.

A huge focus on diabetes (hence the title)that I would question. I know people who have diabetes 1 and yes, there are things they need to factor in, but the whole 'Vik does not want me to mention diabetes to him) feels like a bit of a stretch.

I did appreciate the fact that they end up stranded - I always enjoy the suspense this causes. It also means that there are only 2 characters, for most of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggle with Orca books and other hi-low titles. I'm always on the search for fast paced, shorter length books for reluctant readers and I was drawn to this one for its inclusion of a character with diabetes. Unfortunately, every time I read one of these titles I feel like everything is rushed. You can write a hi-low book and still not jam a million different things into the already short chapters. It felt like one survival mishap after another, and then just as fast, happily ever after.

[Becca R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that it's a short story...
But why did the helicopter have to come save them so fast???????

It was such a great idea for a story, but the author could've done a lot more with it.

I needed drama
I needed angst
I needed her to be almost dead
I needed him to be full of despair because she used the batteries from her insulin pump as a fire starter to save him
I needed him to be clutching her almost-lifeless body to his chest lol
Then I needed the helicopter to come
I just needed more.

[Lehancyndiyahoo.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. About a girl in a crash and she has type 1 diabetes. Also a teen romance. Quick enjoyable read.

[Richelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for pre/early teens. Easy to read but with more mature topics.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never really felt the danger in this one.