REVIEWS+

Wildfire Run

by Dee Garretson
261p. 978-0-06195-347-7.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3—7—Luke, son of the president, worries deeply about terrorists and crazy people. While he is on vacation at Camp David with best friend and fellow robotics nut Theo, he feels safer than he has in a long time. Just after Callie, the assistant chef's daughter and Luke's longtime enemy, arrives, a disastrous earthquake strikes. When a wildfire surrounds the camp, injuring and possibly killing several adults during evacuation, Luke and his friends are left on their own and must use their wits to overcome nature's worst. Kids will enjoy the adventure and realistic characters. Luke and friends may be part of the country's elite, but they bicker and problem-solve just like regular kids. As Luke develops into a more confident boy, readers will cheer for his progress. Most interesting are the contraptions and gadgets built by the children in order to overcome obstacles and up their chances of survival. Recommend this to fans of T. S. Fields's Danger in the Desert (Rising Moon, 1997) and Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (Bradbury, 1987). An accessible story with lots of action.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ
The president's son, Luke, and two of his friends are trapped at Camp David after an earthquake triggers a wildfire and both events wreak havoc at the compound. The children must use courage and ingenuity to get out and help others to safety. Middle-graders will find this an exciting, action-packed survival story.
The story builds suspense by narrowing in on events in several locations and revisiting each loose thread as it contributes to the disaster. Readers feel a sense of urgency throughout the book as the wildfire approaches. Luke and his friends devise solutions to the myriad problems they encounter. It’s satisfying that the kids save themselves, rather than wait to be rescued. The premise of Luke’s dad as president of the United States, surrounded by Secret Service agents, is entirely believable.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?