Book Review- Take Me To The River

By Will Hobbs

Published by Harper Collins Childrens

Released on March 1st, 2011

Ages- 10 & up

Source- ARC from publisher for review

3 stars- It's a Good Read

Fourteen-year old Dylan Sands has come all the way from North Carolina to Big Bend National Park, on the Texas/Mexico border, to paddle the fabled Rio Grande. His partner in adventure is a local river rat, his cousin Rio. As they’re packing their boats for ten days in the canyons, six Black Hawk helicopters appear overhead and race across the river into Mexico.

None of their previous river experience can prepare them for the approach of a deadly hurricane and a Mexican gangster who’s carting a kidnapped child in tow. In order to make it out of the canyons alive, Dylan and Rio will have to find a way to get both themselves and the child away from the fugitive, all while navigating the wildest waters of the Southwest (quoted from Goodreads).

Take Me To The River is a book that is full of adventure, danger and one that will capture the attention of it's readers. Will Hobbs's vivid detail of the real life dangers along the US/Mexican border, a deadly hurricane, wild rapids, along with the dangers of not only being in the middle of a desert, but also throw in a kidnapping and coming face to face with one of Mexico's most wanted gave the story some heart pounding, adrenaline rushing moments.

I personally am a little torn on this review. Middle grade wise, it's a great adventure book, but the mom side of me had problems with the lack of parents in the story. I found it hard to digest that in our day in age (which the story is set) anyone would let, at least I hope not, a 14 yr old hitch hike 80 miles, let alone allow two young teenagers to set off on a 10 day canoe trip, especially along a dangerous stretch of land.

Take Me To The River is a truly an adventure story, and Will has a talent for story telling as he blurs the lines between fiction and reality well. This is definitely a book that I would recommend talking to readers about, making sure they understand that the things that were done in this story are not things that are necessarily safe or encouraged in real life. This is a book I would recommend, and I think reluctant readers and boys in 5th grade and up will enjoy.