Desolation Canyon

Twelve-year-old Aaron is ready for the ride of his life on a white-water rafting trip in Desolation Canyon. However, sixteen-year-old family friend Cassidy is threatening to ruin the fun with his rather dangerous practical “jokes.” At first, the jokes never seem to harm anyone—only giving Aaron a scare and making his hatred for Cassidy grow. It is not until nearly the end of the trip that Aaron has a real reason for hating Cassidy: Aaron’s dad and Cassidy disappeared while rafting. Now Aaron thinks that Cassidy’s pranks have gone way too far—and he knows he has to find his dad before it is too late.

While I did like the book overall, I wish the tension had been held out a little longer—all of the problems the characters in the story have are usually solved in the next one or two chapters. Even though the book would obviously be more exciting and interesting to someone who has experience white-water rafting, the book is still entertaining to those who have never done it before.