This is a great book because of the adventures envolved in it. It was full of excitment and humor. It is about a boy going into the southwest (in the 60's) with his older brother searching for his Uncle Clay who he has not seen in years. I enjoyed this book because it kept me reading all of the time.

The Big Wander is a humorous, thoughtful trip through the American southwest amidst the tumultuous 60's. If that era wasn't enough to fuel the author's creative palette, our hero, Clay, is euphorically approaching adolescent replete with starry eyed infatuation and an all-to-well-remembered awkwardness in his approach to young ladies. The novel sets out as an summer adventure ("The Wander") for Clay and his older brother, Mike. But, the story strays from its origins and delights the reader with its creative insight into the workings of a young teenager's imagination; too young to give up John Wayne, but well on the way to his first lovesick romance. Natural beauty, native american lore, and the love and loyalty of distant family are woven into a rewarding tale. The plot is best shared with a young reader, an excellent bedtime "chapter book" for Dad to read each night. Oh, I imagine the rigidly fixed realist may have problems with the unfolding of events that defy a likely outcome; but the child you read to (and the one kept deep inside) will receive each and every adventure Clay encounters with a smile, a giggle, and a brief reflection on life as they have known it.

My son first brought this book home on one of his weekly trips to the library at his preschool. It has quickly become one of our favorites for it's heartwarming story and wonderful illustrations. This book tells the story of how a lost wolf pup is befriended by a hibernating bear who, in turn, helps the pup find his way home. The illustrations are warm and striking and the story is a wonderful tale of how two creatures can help out one another in the darkest of circumstances. I can see how this book would be a favorite for children of all ages.

Fast paced & exciting book. I particularly liked the Newfoundland dog in the story. Last yr. I read another thrilling book w/ a Newfoundland dog called "The Wreck of the Ethie" which I also couldn't put down.

Al is a river guide in a Discovery Unlimited white water rafting expedition who sends letters to Star, Pug, Rita, and Jessie who all took part in a white water rafting trip last year down the Grand Canyon River. They are surprised to find out that the letters were actually sent by a teenager named Troy who also took part in the trip last year. Troy got rafts, a permit and all the equipment from a sponsored company to run the Grand Canyon River once again. Last year they hadn't run the whole river because they all kept getting into arguments with Troy. Troy decided to plan this trip to make up for what happened last year and to try and get closer to Jessie. After much thought they all decided to try and run it again. Their one rule was that nobody alone was boss and they all had to work as a team to get something done. The river was traveling at 50,000 fps (feet per second) and that was high and hard to run. They made it through the first big rapids and their only challenge was Crystal Rapids and that would require more strength and thinking. The river was now climbing to 72,000 fps and was making history. Canyon Magic was another group running the river so Troy decided to hook up with them a few times. Later on, Troy decided that he was going to take over and do things his way and the others had to follow. Jessie, Star, Pug, Rita, and Adam, who joined later, decided Troy wasn't going to push them around. So Troy said fine. He had been stuck up and grumpy the entire trip and didn't participate in anything. Troy thought that he could go far with Jessie, but Jessie disagreed. They made it past Crystal and it was easy going from then on. Troy straightened out and cooperated the rest of the trip, but most of all, he learned the truth about himself.
I would rate this book a five star because it was an exciting, heart pounding story. The River Thunder was well told and very detailed about its adventures.
I really liked the book because it dealt with being in the outdoors, easy to read and it taught you to loosen up and move on with your life. This book is also a sequel to Downriver.

I never knew there was so much life below the Grand Canyon walls. Seeing the Canyon from the visitors center 1 mile above the Colorado River can be quite overwhelming, but wait until you see it from the river itself. This book is more than an adventure down the Colorado by raft, it's geography, hiking guide and biography. I have never wanted to explore the Canyon more than since I read this book, and feel I already have. The book is well written and well developed. It's excitement and adventure will keep the attention and build imagination. It's also great for adults and tells a lot about the Canyon itself. It's based on a real actual accounts Will Hobbs (author) had himself while in the Canyon. I reccomend this book for all ages and abilities. Get surged witin the River Thunder!

You always wander what happens next in a book. This book is the perfect example of a sequel. It's like reading from down river to river thunder without ever stopping it leaves you wanting to go adventure yourself. Go on the adventure River Thunder.

Beardance is a book you just don't put it down until you finish it. On a scale from 1-5, I would rate this book a four and a half because, it teaches children and adults about things that if you put your mind to something and you have enough determination, you can get anything done. Cloyd goes back to the mountains with the old man to find more grizzly bears in Colorado. He finds two little cuds and the Fish and Wildlife Department take them away. It wasn't easy for Cloyd to try to save them. I admire him for trying to save his little friends. I was reading this book for language arts class and I encourage any student or adult to read Will Hobb's works because they are very interesting and exciting. I recomended this book to anyone who likes grizzly bears or the mountains.

If you like the outdoors, then you will love Beardance. The book takes place in the wilderness of Colorado. The Weminuche Wilderness. When I was reading this book, I was sad, fascinated and surprised. The book had some gory parts in it, that is what made it surprising. Some parts in the book made me fill like I was actually there in the wild with the grizzly bears. The characters remind me of my Grandpa and I because I used to always go camping, when I had the chance, with my grandfather, especially in Colorado. The characters in this book are Cloyd; he's the boy living on a farm with his grandpa. The other character is Walter Ladis, the old guy with the cowboy hat. Irsa is the girl that they call the grizzly woman because she knows a whole lot about grizzly bears. ` He had a sensation that he was moving on four legs.'' When he looked around behind him, he noticed his tracks, and they were bear tracks.'

Will Hobbs has an amazing way of taking the reader inside the book and planting him in the middle of the mountains along with Cloyd. I thought Bearstone was excellent; but it doesn't compare to this one. To think of a young boy devoting his life to keeping the bear cubs alive is awesome. My students loved Far North and will probably love this one even more. I highly recommend all of Hobb's books to my reading students. So far, none of the books have failed to be an instant hit. This one will be the next. I can't wait to read any new ones he writes; he just doesn't write fast enough.

I recently read Far North for a book report assignment for school. I chose this book because I like Canada. I could not put this book down. It is such an exciting adventure story, and I would recommend this book for anyone who likes wilderness adventures. (Ryan Groth, age 14)

This book was so good, that I could never put it down. If you like books that are full of adventure and excitement, you will love Far North. Hobbs does a wonderful job of keeping up the suspense all throughout the story. It becomes a story of triumph and survival when Raymond and Gabe get stuck in the wilderness of Canada. They are all alone with a pistol, and three bullets, trying to survive the winter of the Northern Territories. If this book sounds good to you, you can also read other books by Will Hobbs, such as Bearstone, Downriver ,orThe Maze.

This was a great book I couldn't stop reading it, one morning I started it had to take a break for breakfast and then read it all the way until lunch when I finished it. It is about a boy who goes to a school in Canada and ends up lost in the woods with Jonny Raven and Raymond, read it to see what happens to them. This is a great book it is action packed and will keep you interested.

The book, Jason's Gold, written by Will Hobbs, conveys themes of determination, disappointment, and hardship. These themes led to a well-written, page turning thriller that makes you feel lucky for all that you have.
Fifteen-year-old Jason Hawthorn hears news of a gold rush, taking place in the Klondike. Jason leaves his job as a newspaper boy, and is immediately infected with klondicitis as it comes to be called, or Klondike fever. Jason wishes to return home to Seattle, and rejoin his two older brothers, Abe and Ethan, and then set out for gold!
Along the way, Jason runs into many problems, such as food shortages, transportation, bone-chilling cold, and fierce competition with other people infected with Klondike fever. To survive the elements along the way, Jason has to use all of his skills, and comes blisteringly close to death. Just making it to Dawson city, where the gold has been found, will be a challenge. Jason will have to battle infamous trails such as the Dead Horse Trail, and the Chilkoot Pass. This is not including a 500-mile trip down the Yukon River that must also be completed, and completed before the harsh winter sets in, and the river freezes up.
Jason's Gold is a book for anyone who enjoys suspense and action, with sudden turns along the way. Jason shows amazing courage and a will to survive that fuel him along his journey. This story is based on the ancient Greek myth, Jason and the Argonauts, which tells of Jason braving impossible odds to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Will Jason Hawthorn retrieve his golden fleece, or will he fall the at the hands of the merciless Klondike?

The story of Jason's Gold, by Will Hobbs is a metaphor. It's not just a good book, but a lesson in life. It teaches you that not everything in life is going to be just "a piece of cake." From beginning to end, Jason was facing challenges and perils while in the race against time to catch up with his brothers in Dawson City, Alaska. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes to read a good and adventurous book, and if you read this book you won't have regrets.

I read this book as a preview for my son and was thoroughly entertained by the story. The story is fast paced and very vivid about a young man and his adventures enroute to the Alaska frontier. You could almost see and feel what Jason was experiencing as he travelled. When I convinced my 14 year old to read it, he did not put it down until he had finished the last page!! I would recommend this story to any age and sex reader. It was a wonderful story.

Ghost Canoe is an awsome book. It combines a breath-taking mystery, with the intensity and calmness of nature. Will Hobbs wrote this book because he likes to read and write. I recomend Ghost Canoe to kid who like nature, mysteries, reading, and writing.

I realy liked this book. Every page there was something to be excited about. Curiosity and adventure keeped me reading all 193 pages entill the end. Even the informational pages were interesting to read.
I would recommend this book for anyone that seeks adventure and isnt afraid to experience the most thrilling excitement ever found between pages of this great book.
And if you like mystery, you have got to go out and get this book.

First off, this review will be somewhat biased as Mr. Hobbs was a teacher of mine three years in a row. If the love of reading is a fire, Mr Hobbs is the spark. He kindled the desire to read in countless children during his years as a teacher, partly because he knew us so well, and that is what makes him such a terrific author in his current work- he knows what will get kids to read and keep them reading. My children both read his books, and I read most everything that they read, just to stay in touch with what they are doing. I actually enjoy reading Mr. Hobbs' books as much as they do, the characters are real, the experiences are fresh, and the stories are enough to make me dream of my own youth. I recently moved to the Seattle area, and have explored the area in which Ghost Canoe is set. Mr. Hobbs has done a marvelous job of capturing the mood and mystery of this beautiful corner of our world. His portrayl of the Macaw tribe is true to life (as it was) and helps shed some light on the recent events in their tribe. That alone makes this book a great read for just about any preteen.

Will Hobbs has created an exquisitely plotted, nail-biting experience that has great morals and teaches about the values of friendship and family. The characters learn that nature brings people together and can change a person's outlook on life. The main character, Jessie, and her friends are at a summer camp for troubled kids that they call "Hoods in the Woods." At the beginning of the book, all of their lives are going down river. As they are plunged into the great adventure of rafting down the rough Colorado River, the characters' personalities and the conflicts between them come out. Troy is stunning but turns out to be selfish and narcissistic. Star is weak and fragile but transforms into a self-confident person. There are other characters too, each one very different. This really brings the story to life. You know that with every catastrophe they face and overcome, they are only closer to the ultimate win that comes at the end when everything falls into place. It is a phenomenal book. The book twists into a novel about the love and friendships people can make when you get past your differences.

Downriver by Will Hobbs reviewed by Maia Hazelwood

Will Hobbs has created an exquisitely plotted, nail-biting experience that has great morals and teaches about the values of friendship and family. The characters learn that nature brings people together and can change a person's outlook on life. The main character, Jessie, and her friends are at a summer camp for troubled kids that they call "Hoods in the Woods." At the beginning of the book, all of their lives are going down river. As they are plunged into the great adventure of rafting down the rough Colorado River, the characters' personalities and the conflicts between them come out. Troy is stunning but turns out to be selfish and narcissistic. Star is weak and fragile but transforms into a self-confident person. There are other characters too, each one very different. This really brings the story to life. You get this overwhelming feeling when you read this book, a feeling of how good life is if you can look at it in a certain way. You can feel the everlasting friendships that the characters form. You feel the tension as they fight for their lives against nature's forces. You know that with every catastrophe they face and overcome, they are only closer to the ultimate win that comes at the end. It is a phenomenal book. I can say that I have found a respect not as much for nature, but for people. It has increased my awareness of how wonderfully different we are. The book twists into a novel about the love and friendships people can make when you get past your differences. I do have an attitude towards Mother Nature that she can be rough and beautiful. If you want to get all you can out of her, you have to experience them both.

Will Hobbs has created an exquisitely plotted, nail-biting experience that has great morals and teaches about the values of friendship and family. The characters learn that nature brings people together and can change a person's outlook on life. The main character, Jessie, and her friends are at a summer camp for troubled kids that they call "Hoods in the Woods." At the beginning of the book, all of their lives are going down river. As they are plunged into the great adventure of rafting down the rough Colorado River, the characters' personalities and the conflicts between them come out. Troy is stunning but turns out to be selfish and narcissistic. Star is weak and fragile but transforms into a self-confident person. There are other characters too, each one very different. This really brings the story to life. You get this overwhelming feeling when you read this book, a feeling of how good life is if you can look at it in a certain way. You can feel the everlasting friendships that the characters form. You feel the tension as they fight for their lives against nature's forces. You know that with every catastrophe they face and overcome, they are only closer to the ultimate win that comes at the end when everything falls into place. It is a phenomenal book. I can say that I have found a respect not as much for nature, but for people. It has increased my awareness of how wonderfully different we are. The book twists into a novel about the love and friendships people can make when you get past your differences. I do have an attitude towards Mother Nature that she can be rough and beautiful. If you want to get all you can out of her, you have to experience them both.

When we were reading The Maze by Will Hobbs we were blown away. The characteristics of the characters and the deep description of the plot were stellar. In our opinion, Will Hobbs who is the author of Far North, is a spectacular author who has won many awards.
The main characters of the book are Lon Peregrino and Rick Walker. Lon is a middle-aged man that grew up with no parents. His job is to work for the Condor Project supported by the government. His job is at Canyonlands National Park, which is where the Maze is located. The Maze is a group of canyons that join together to make a large confusing array of twists and turns. Rick is a 14-year-old boy with no parents. He was arrested for vigorously whipping rocks at a stop sign. The whole cause for this was the death of his grandmother and he obviously took it hard. He went to court and ended up going to the strictest confines in America, Blue Canyon Detention Center. When he was in juvenile he worked out and became strong. He also read about flying a lot. That is his dream, to fly. He received a message that his name was on the cigarettes. In jail terms that means you are going to be beaten because sometimes people say that they will kill for a cigarette and that's how the saying came about. Rick was frightened. He had to do something. He decided to try to escape. At night he hopped over the fence and on the way down he slashed his face on the wicked barbed wire. It created a large white scar. He hitchhiked with three people and ended up at Canyonlands. He was at Lon's campsite. He immediately got in trouble by stealing Lon's car. But he didn't get very far on that rough terrain. He had to turn around and go reason with Lon. After Lon learned a little about him and noticed how similar their lives were. Lon let him stay. Rick was going to help Lon with his job. Everything was going well except for one thing. Carlile, Gundersen, and their pit bull were up to no good. When Rick and Lon were out teaching Rick how to fly a hang glider Carlile and his crew came to Lon's site and stole many objects. But that is not all their up to. Rick finds something illegal about them and Carlile finds out. They will do anything to keep out of jail. They will steal any communication devices, kill condors, and maybe even murder Rick and Lon. But to find out what Carlile and Gundersen will do and if Rick will ever make it home you must read The Maze. If you like adventure stories, action stories, hang gliding, or even just hanging around outdoors this book is for you! The main point the author tries to tell us is to always follow you dreams and life is a maze, it takes to many twists and unexpected turns.(...)

Life on Wings
Being a teenager is a tough time. Try being a teenager without any parents. In the book The Maze the main character is a juvenile at detention center in Nevada. His name is Rick, he went to the center because he threw 20 rocks at a stop sign. Rick threw the rocks he was frustrated. Teenagers can often get frustrated and don't know what to do with their anger. He did not have any supervision at home. Teenagers need supervision at home in my opinion to learn right from wrong.
While Rick was at the detention center he decides to escape, so that is what he does. He crawls over the fence and then he runs. Rick gets to the interstate and just hitchhikes.
After all that hitchhiking he ends up in Utah with a guy named Lon. Rick figures out Lon is a nice guy after all. Lon lets Rick sleep in a tent and eat his food. Rick finds out he is in a national park and Lon is working on a project called the Condor Project.
The two become good friends. That caused Rick to grow up and act more mature. I think teenagers need parents or an adult to help them get through tough times. In the book Rick helps Lon survive and Rick forgets about himself. That is why I believe camps like Outward Bound are good for teenagers. They learn about teamwork.

The Maze by Will Hobbs is a great book for young teens. It is full of action packed adventure. Rick Walker, is just 14 years old. Is sent to Blue Canyon for throwing rocks at a stop sign while grieving his grandmothers death, who also took care of him. Rick escapes from Blue Canyon and slips into the back of a random truck. He sees a lot of coolers and decides to open one. Rick's hunger suddenly disappears when he notices dozens of dead frozen calves. Had he chosen the wrong truck? The truck takes him to Canyons National Park in Utah. He meets Lon Peregrino who has a government job releasing endangered condor fledglings into the park. But they are not alone Carlile and Gunderson are also there and doing illegal things. When Rick finds out Carlile and Gunderson are determined to get Lon and Rick to leave so they aren't turned in, even if it means killing endangered condors, stealing communication devices, and attempting to murder Lon and Rick. Lon and Rick become friends. Lon likes Rick so much he teaches him to hang glide.

I liked this book because of all the adventure. It has a very heart-stopping ending and kept me reading all night. I liked the way that Will Hobbs always had exciting things happening and explained everything.