The Last Lobo [Paperback]

Roland Smith (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. When Jake, a teenager, takes his grandfather on a visit to their Hopi tribal homeland in Arizona, he finds himself fighting to save an endangered Mexican wolf.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

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 the Audio Cassette edition.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (July 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786815647
• ISBN-13: 978-0786815647
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roland Smith is a former zookeeper and leading expert on red wolves as well as an author. He lives on a small farm near Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the saga continues, October 6, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Lobo (Paperback)

Roland Smith writes about Jake Lansa in a 3 book set - Thunder Cave, Jaguar, and The Last Lobo. I have not yet read the first, but it is next on my list. Smith weaves suspense, intrigue, and cultures in his novel. Thunder Cave takes place in Africa, Jaguar in the Amazon, and Lobo in the American southwest. Readers will be so involved, you won't know your learning about cultures too, Reading out of order isn't a problem, but I wish I had read them in order, Great none the less.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This has a good story line!, May 24, 2007

By 

Jean Schweer (Beatrice, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Lobo (Paperback)

I am very concerned about saving wild animals so this book was very enjoyable to read. Roland Smith does a good job with stories of putting the reader there sensing what is happening at the moment that is what makes the stories interesting. Jean Schweer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars *Breaking News* ---Lobo falls in plot hole---, November 28, 2005

By 

Kupo! (In the corner of a circular room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Lobo (Paperback)

The Last Lobo is an interesting animal book about saving an endangered lobo, which is killing off cattle and livestock. The main character, Jacob, is taking a trip to visit his grandfather, who himself is on a visit to his Hopi homeland. On the plane, he meets a person named Buckley, who is interested in Indian carvings. He learns about the animal that is eating the livestock, and tries to find it.
The story is good and worth reading, but there are some plot holes. The disrupted narrative, however, is well hidden, and you won't mind at all. A good book for animal lovers, and for book reports (you can skim it and not miss much), but a character that only appears once was not properly introduced, and got me a little confused. You should read the prequels first, then this.