From Publishers Weekly
Thousands of miles from the high school halls of Slave Day and Rats Saw God, Thomas delivers an action-adventure novel largely set in the rain forest of Brazil. Thirteen-year-old science whiz Grady Jacobs finds junior high a snore. He lives for his botany experiments, which have made him National Science Fair champ for two years running. To his great pleasure, Grady's r?sum? earns him a spot on a research team working to save the rain forest. But the team leader, Dr. Carter, has assumed Grady is a college student, and when he realizes his mistake, he promptly saddles the boy with all the scut work. Grady masters the chores, then finds time to do his own projects, which include learning to control the movement of plants and trees using sound waves. In the process Grady also discovers something dangerous and evil: unbeknownst to the native peoples and the research team's U.S. benefactors, Dr. Carter is populating the rain forest with genetically engineered poison trees. While this book is aimed at a slightly younger audience than Thomas's previous YA titles, Grady's knowing, flip tone will appeal to Thomas's older teen fans. Grady's botanical talents skirt the fantastic and many readers may find themselves slowed by several discussions of scientific theory. But those who stick with it will find plenty of compelling situations. The author, who is also the creator and writer of the TV series Cupid, brings his screenwriting experience to bear as well; he provides the kind of exciting visual detail usually associated with action movies. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Grady Jacobs is a brilliant 13-year-old. He excels in both science and sarcasm at home and in school, using his condescending wit with his parents and classmates. Perpetuating the jock versus science-nerd stereotype, Rob Thomas (S&S, 1999) portrays this unlikely hero, not as a innocent victim, but as a smart-aleck kid who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. After retaliating against the school's jock bullies with an hilarious stunt, he decides to apply for a summer internship in the Amazon rainforest with a world reputed botanist. Grady is transformed from a physically soft, self-centered adolescent to a muscled and compassionate young adult. This fantastic story is akin to a Young Indiana Jones adventure with the hero swinging through trees, dodging bullets and blowguns, and "saving the day" from the evil professor. Five hours of this unabridged story flies because of the perfect match between storyline and narration by Johnny Heller. Although voices of other important characters are not significantly distinguished, he gives warmth and depth to the wisecracking Grady, making him a likeable kid despite his know-it-all attitude. Included at the recordings' end is a half-hour interview with the author who discusses his personal background and the origins of the native tribes and language developed for this story. The central didactic themeAthe affects of man's destruction of the rain forestAcreates a dynamic backdrop for this humorous coming-of-age story. Although the length can be prohibitive for classroom use, it is a great adventure story for individual listening.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Library, MD Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
