The Drop

Gr 6—9—Alex, Bryce, Hope, and Dave are in training to be Backcountry Patrollers, snowboarders who rescue people lost in the mountains of British Columbia. One night, Bryce disappears. When the group's teacher, snowboarding legend Sam, won't help look for him, the teens are on their own to find out what happened to their friend. Setting and snowboarding are the stars in this novel: mountain conditions and scenery are vividly described, from dangerous weather to spectacular vistas. Readers need not be regular snowboarders to appreciate the extended descriptions of the sport: they will feel the exhilaration of every turn and jump. The writing is crisp, and the plot moves along quickly. The audience for this book will not likely mind that character descriptions and relationships take a backseat to the action. Give this one to reluctant readers who like sports adventure stories that move at a downhill pace.—M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY