From Library Journal
Grade 5-9-In this sequel to Thunder Cave (Hyperion, 1997), Jake journeys to the Hopi reservation in northern Arizona to be with his grandfather. Tribal members are complaining that a Mexican wolf-lobo-is killing their livestock, and they are ready-like many ranchers-to blame a wolf reintroduction program in neighboring New Mexico. But the reintroduced wolves are all accounted for, and the experts suspect coyotes or stray dogs. Jake and his grandfather get involved, along with Jake's great uncle, who once trapped wolves for the government. Uncle John is sure there is a lobo, and he wants to catch it alive and return it to its likely home, Mexico. The plot moves quickly, involving readers in Jake's fascination with wolves while he also puts to use skills he has learned in his earlier adventures. A subplot involving a prison parolee once married to one of Jake's cousins is unnecessary and "sensational," and a few other subplot elements are either too easily resolved or unexplained. Nevertheless, Smith's grasp on the central story is sure and effective.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Gr 5-9-When Hopi born "Taw" walks out of a Poughkeepsie retirement home to return to the reservation, his grandson Jake flies out to retrieve him. He arrives to find everyone upset that something is killing their livestock, and the Hopi tribal members don't know if it is stray dogs or coyotes. Some believe that it might be a ghost of the Mexican lobo, a species of wolf that had long since disappeared from Arizona. It quickly becomes apparent to Jake that he must stay on and help Taw and Uncle John save the lobo from the vengeful ranchers. Jake Lanza, not new to environmental concerns, is a character reappearing from Jaguar (Hyperion, 1997) and Thunder Cave (Hyperion, 1995). This time, Jake's research biologist father remains in Brazil while Jake becomes fascinated by the plight of the lobo. A research biologist himself, author Roland Smith (Hyperion 1999) weaves interesting factual information about the wolves, the Hopi's, and the ecology of the area into the story. Peripheral characters, such a retired scientist Jake befriends on the plane and a ne'er-do-well ex-husband of Jake's cousin, become integral parts of the action-packed hunt for the lobo. Jake is brought alive by narrator Johnny Heller, who also was Jake's voice in the previous two books. His even tempered and optimistic tone is a natural choice for the insightful teenager. The multigenerational voices pose no problem for Heller, as he brings an uncanny realism to the low voices of the soft spoken Hopi elders. He easily switches between Jake, his female cousins, and Taw without missing a beat. In many ways, the plot of the wolf is secondary to Jake and Taw's pilgrimage to their native land and the strength of the relationships they build there. This would be a wonderful addition to any media collection.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
