Boarder Patrol

August 1, 2010

Gr 6 Up-This hi/lo novel takes readers on a fast-paced ride filled with action and danger. Ryan, 16, works as a Junior Ski Patrol volunteer in order to earn a free lift pass. His dream is to pursue snowboarding professionally. His cousin, Kevin, who works at the lifts, starts acting strangely, especially when Ryan begins investigating the disappearance of some ski equipment, including his own, on the mountain. He gets his big break when videographer Ted Travis sees Ryan and his friend Jamie boarding one day, and later when Ryan wins a local competition. Unfortunately, family problems become serious when Kevin does not come home for a couple of days and Ryan finds a large bag of marijuana in the bottom of his ski locker. Someone also sabotages Ryan's bindings and he gets trapped in the snow. The story includes vivid descriptions of snowboarding and mountain rescue, and the mystery is involving.-Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

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