Boarder Patrol

by Erin Thomas

Overview

Ryan is determined to be a professional snowboarder but he's learned from what happened to his whistle-blower father that doing the right thing doesn't always pay off. When his parents leave Kamloops, Ryan decides to stay with relatives so he can be near the Salmon Valley Ski Resort. He spends all his time at the ski hill, volunteering with the Junior Safety Patrol to cover the cost of his lift pass.

When his board is stolen, he discovers that his cousin, Kevin, knows more than he should about recent thefts at the resort. Kevin's in way over his head, and soon Ryan's involved, whether he wants to be or not.

As Ryan prepares for the video shoot that could be his big break, he learns that Kevin's in danger. Ryan has to choose between career and family, and hope that, for him, doing the right thing will pay off.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554692941
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	05/01/2010
Series:	Orca Sports
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	HL580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 18 Years

About the Author

Erin Thomas is the author of several books for children and teens. She lives in Whitby, Ontario, with her husband, their daughter, a small gray cat and a large black dog. For more information, visit www.erinthomas.ca.

Read an Excerpt

I was in the trees and three turns down before I noticed that something was wrong. My bindings were loose on the board. They rattled when I turned.
I struggled for control, but I was going too fast. My board shot free. It hurtled down the hill without me. I hit the snow hard and flipped, my bindings still attached to my boots. It hurt.
I tucked and rolled. I was still in the trees. Bad place to fall.

Editorial Reviews

"The snowboarding sequences are exciting, and Ryan's conversational voice as narrator is accessible and likable…The exciting climax cleverly draws all the storylines together in a way that showcases Ryan at his best [and] features dramatic racing down the runs. Recommended."

CM Magazine

"A fast-paced read filled with not only snowboarding action, but also skiing accidents and rescues, competitions, and even duffel bags filled with pot. Erin Thomas's book should appeal to adventure fans, thrill seekers, and mystery readers."

TeensReadToo.com

"Thomas has written a fast-paced story that never feels like it is being rushed. Boarder Patrol's plot unfolds quickly, but Ryan remains an engaging character whose struggle to do the right thing for himself and his cousin feels genuine. Even readers who are not interested in sports will enjoy the unravelling of the mystery surrounding the crime spree at the ski hill...Highly recommended."

Resource Links

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

School Library Journal

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