Adrenalin Ride

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Peter is visiting Jake in Chilliwack when they get a call from Ron
Gabana asking if they would like to work for a couple of weeks building
a bike trail near Keremos. The offer is too good to refuse, but as they
begin the job both boys have questions and suspicions that the job may
not be completely above board. Building the bike trail in the wilderness
is an adventure in itself, and the boys love to try out their skills on
this pristine trail. When their suspicions turn out to be true, however,
they find themselves in real danger, not just from the criminals who are
pursuing them, but also from a forest fire that erupts around them.

This sports adventure, the third book in the Take It to the Xtreme
series, is geared toward teenage boys, and there is enough mountain-bike
action to please the most avid extreme-sports enthusiast. The novel also
describes the natural environment and wilderness living, and offers
information about forest fires and firefighters. The story is less
strong on character development. Though the story is told alternately by
Jake and Peter, it is hard to distinguish between them on the basis of
their narration. Both characters are concerned about the moral issues of
what is going on and questions of loyalty, trust, and friendship. It is
the action and suspense however, that will keep readers in anticipation
until the end. Recommended.