Dirtbike Daredevils.

Anne Hutchings is a public-school teacher and librarian in Ajax,
Ontario.

Fifteen-year-old best friends Peter Montpetit and Jake Evans have landed summer dream jobs as dirt bike trail guides and mechanic at Back-of-Beyond Ranch. Hotshot Peter, by far the better rider, loves the thrill and challenge of freestyle and leaves the bike maintenance to Jake. Jake would much rather tinker with a bike than ride, and dreams of becoming a “wrencher” with a star racing team. Sergei, their boss and a motocross champion, and 15-year-old summer ranch hand Dana, a motocross racer, repeatedly stress that technique and mechanics are equally important if you want to be truly successful in the sport. Unfortunately, their advice falls on deaf ears until a series of near disasters make both Peter and Jake realize the truth of their words.

Dana’s interactions with the ranch’s llamas add fascinating and little-known details about these creatures to the story. For example, did you know that a llama is more effective than dog for guarding a herd of sheep? Or that llamas are herd animals and a llama raised alone will go berserk? Or that llamas are so surefooted they can handle almost any terrain—sand, snow, steep hillsides—anything except mud?

Dana’s diabetes and the fact that Sergei’s degree in veterinary science earned in his Russian homeland is not recognized in the United States are topics that could be used to generate some interesting discussion.

Dirtbike Daredevils is an action-packed story that will appeal to even the most reluctant intermediate level male reader. Author Pam Withers does an outstanding job of describing the stunts, using such detail that the reader can feel the excitement and danger. Highly recommended.