River Thunder (Mass Market Paperback)

by Will Hobbs (Author) "We're here, Jessie! Can you believe it?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Canyon Magic, Grand Canyon, River Thunder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up. The premise is that the cast from Downriver (Atheneum, 1991) has been asked to work as interns by "Discovery Unlimited" owner Al, rejoining him for a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Their joyful reunion at the launch site is stressed almost to the breaking point when they find out that Troy, the manipulative, buffed, bad boy who nearly sank their earlier escapade, has bankrolled this trip, and that Al is not involved at all. Setting aside misgivings about Troy's duplicity, they row off, settling into a realistic rhythm of river work, problem solving, play, and stress management. The characters are interesting individuals who have changed in mostly positive ways since their first trip together. Jessie gains confidence and knowledge with each challenge. Troy's problems escalate with the rising level of the water, and it's gradually revealed that he has stalked Jessie throughout the previous summer, obsessed with making his fantasy of a relationship with her take shape. The climactic resolution with Troy comes just before they plummet through Lava Falls, which, if predictably plotted, is thrillingly told. The culture of the commercial canyon runners is aptly described. From the raft-eating big drop on the cover to the author's informative note at the end, the vivid descriptions deliver high-volume excitement sure to entice many readers into booking a ride on any subsequent sequels.?Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Jr. High School, Iowa City, IA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Hobbs (Ghost Canoe, p. 557, etc.) reunites the characters of Downriver (1991) for this rapids-shooting adventure. Jessie and her adopted sister, Star, tough-talking Rita, macho man Pug, and later, wisecracking Adam all arrive ready to raft down the Grand Canyon's Colorado River, presumably at the invitation of Al, a tour outfitter; unfortunately, when the handsome and charismatic Troy also shows up, the teens discover that they've all been duped. Troy seeks to make amends for ruining their rafting the previous year, and so has made all the arrangements and paid for the group to go downriver again. Wary at first, the teens agree, and in no time they're shooting through curlers, suckholes, and rooster tails in a pulse-pounding narrative. Jessie, despite her fear, steers a raft down the river's 160 rapids in record-high water caused by a rough winter and careless management of damn spillage. Hobbs's familiarity with whitewater rafting provides authenticity, and while this bunch knows their sport, they nevertheless wind up in the soup more than once. While the crisis point of the novel seems a bit too altruistic--the neurotic Troy follows his better impulses and saves Rita from drowning--the story of these disparate youths coming together for an adventure that risks their lives and strengthens their hearts is ultimately uplifting. (Fiction. 12-14) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (February 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440226813
• ISBN-13: 978-0440226819
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Rafting
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars River Thunder, January 13, 2000

By	A sophomore in Whitehall, Wisconsin (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: River Thunder (Hardcover)

River Thunder, written by Will Hobbs, is a great book for readers who are addicted to adventure and love fiction stories. I think the author laid this story out very well. It is an exciting adventure that takes place at the river, by the Grand Canyon, where Troy thinks he has a chance to prove to the others that he has changed. Changed from what? Troy and his friends, Jessie, Adam, Star, Rita, and Pug, all try to believe him but end up discovering other things. This is a group of kids who went to have a good time, but end up meeting the challenge of their lives. I'll leave you with that information and hope you take time to read this book. I myself am not an adventurous person, but my friends like adventure stories and they enjoyed this book; I hope you will too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars River Thunder Book Review, November 26, 2005

By	Tai Shanghai - See all my reviews

The Grand Canyons, known for its thrashing waters, outrageous falls, and destructive obstacles, will put two young, yet skilled rafters and their friends on the ultimate test for survival. River Thunder, written by Will Hobbs, is probably one of the most thrilling and adventurous tales ever told. Jessie, the narrator and also one of the main characters, tells an amazing story about when she receives an invitation from a good friend from the past, Al. Knowing that she would never reject this chance of a lifetime, he sent a letter requesting her to participate in a breath-talking boat trip through the Great Canyon. But little do they know, this whole trip was a set up. What will happen next?
After receiving the invite, Jessie quickly packs up her personal belongings and ruches over to the Grand Canyon. Soon after her arrival, she finds all of her friends from the last trip there too, Pug, Star, and Rita. As they were chatting away, one of them suddenly spot Troy, the disastrous cause of their last trip, walking towards them, everyone turned quiet. Troy later reveals that he had sent the letters provoking them to come because he wanted to make it up to them because of the last trip. Everyone agreed on one condition, he had to change his snobby attitude. Later joined by Adam, another one of last trip's members, the crew has to pull together, cooperate, and complete the task as one.
Along their trip, they meet a tourist group let by a few professional rafters called the Canyon Magic. After, Jessie becomes friends with Kate, the leader of Canyon Magic. Kate says that they should look out for each other and if Jessie and her friends have any problems, just tell them. Jessie learned a lot of new techniques from Canyon Magic, new moves, new facts, and lots of other important things.
Although Jessie has a few bails, she still keeps her spirit high but to complete the course will not only take that, they will all need courage. Jessie once said that, if sound of the river thunder could kill, they would already be dead. The story grows more intense, things change, and secrets reveal themselves.
I would recommend River Thunder to the people who like stories that are full of action and adventures. I finished this book in a very short period of time because every chapter ends in an intense moment and it is impossible to put that bookmark into the book. In my spare time, I would always take out this book and read, although television is my main entertainment resource. Everybody knows River Thunder, because this book is truly amazing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars River Thunder, May 13, 2005

By	Ryan Richter - See all my reviews

The book River Thunder by Will Hobbs is about six friends on a river journey through rapids of the Colorado River. One of the conflicts in the book is when Troy (one of the six) tries to rebuild a relationship that was broken a long time ago with Jessie.
When I started the book I thought it was wearisome; but also somewhat interesting enough to keep reading. Eventually the action started taking place and I couldn't put it down.
Jessie and the rest of her friends take off down the Colorado river with 225 miles to go and only two rafts. This book has lots of turns and twists, it will make you dizzy. There are two parts to this book; one that is exciting and sweet, and the other one appreciates nature's wonders and the beautiful creations that the book describes.
During the rafting trip, Jessie and her friends experience many problems in which the she has to overcome. During the trip they have to go through several rapids that will make you want to read till your eyes go numb. If you're looking for a book to get your adrenaline pumped up and your imagination to go berserk then this is the book that is right for you.