SOLVED. YA read In 1999-2000, boy visits his father and new stepmother + brother in the rugged west, brother and stepbrother end up needing to escape killers [s]

[Sairah]

I read this in 5th or 6th grade (so roughly 1999 or 2000) about a boy whose parents are divorced. He lives with his mom in New York, I believe (not too sure), but he visits his dad and his new family out somewhere in like Colorado or out west like that.

He doesn't like it there off the bat and calls his mother complaining that they eat with their elbows on the tables and about having to eat "buffalo burgers," which was something that disgusted him. The dad gets on the phone with the mom and explains about the health benefits of eating buffalo which is apparently lean meat, etc. I just remember that part really well.

Anyhow, the stepbrother and the protagonist go out somewhere, I think maybe just for a hike or to go get something, but by the time they return, they somehow have to run from a killer. They end up on the side of some cliff/mountain (Grand Canyon?!), climbing, trying to get away.

I think the whole experience helps the boy like his stepbrother more...not a 100% sure how this ends, actually. It's possible that the father is killed by whoever is chasing the boys, but it's just as likely that I made that up.

It was a YA read, but not very thick. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

[Sairah]

Bump?

[Andria]

Maybe something by Will Hobbes?

[Sairah]

I looked through his, but those don't seem to be it. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

I once came upon a book in a thrift store, which I wasn't able to keep at the time titled something like, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place." This one got my hopes up that it might be it—does that sound familiar to anyone?

[Andria]

Between A Rock And A Hard Place? Survival story, two boys (can't remember if brothers), one of them is diabetic.

[Sairah]

Thanks for the link—I'll try to see if I can get my hands on a copy to see if the details I remember match up. :)

[Jim]

It sounds like something that S.E. Hinton could have written, but that's just a guess. It's been years since I read anything of hers & I don't recall that particular story, just a general feeling.

[Sairah]

I checked her works and nothing seems to fit, but thanks anyways.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Sairah, are you still looking for this book?

[Sairah]

Yup, still am! I'll always post if I've discovered something on any of my requests. So far, nothing. I haven't been able to dig into the rock and a hard place leads properly yet. Or if I have, I've forgotten what I unearthed! >_<

Any and all help is still appreciated!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Sairah--if you bump this up regularly (every 30 to 60 days) so that it stays near the top of the queue you'll have a better chance of finding it.

[Kris]

I think it's Journey into Terror by Bill Wallace.
When I search the book's preview on Amazon, "buffalo burgers" shows up a few times. What are the odds? :)

[Sairah]

I think you may well have found it!! I'm quite excited! If like to look this over in more detail perhaps over the weekend and on a proper device (not mobile). Thank you!

[Kris]

Good luck! Please drop by and let us know if it's the right book. :)

[Sairah]

I think this is the one. Please consider this one solved. Thanks to everyone for all your help! =D