Take Me to the River

Gr 5—8—Dylan, 14, arrives in the Terlingua Ghost Town of West Texas, looking forward to paddling the Rio Grande with an uncle and a cousin he has never met. However, he quickly discovers that his uncle has taken a temporary job in Alaska and his 15-year-old cousin, Rio, is home alone. The boys decide that they can run the river on their own and are soon on their way. They run into a hurricane named Dolly, a murderous gangster, and a young boy in jeopardy. Will Hobbs's fast-paced adventure story (HarperCollins. 2011) will hold the attention of listeners. Detailed descriptions help ground the tale and give it a sense of place. Steven Boyer gives each character a distinct voice. Dylan, who narrates the tale, comes across as matter of fact, fitting the character well. Boyer does a nice job of pacing so that the tension builds and listeners are in a state of constant anticipation. For action-adventure fans looking for a unique setting.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT