The Last Lobo

Smith, Roland

ISBN 10: 0788747282 ISBN 13: 9780788747281

Publisher: Recorded Books, 2002

Synopsis

2000 RECORDED BOOKS set of 3 UNABRIDGED AUDIO CASSETTES

About this title

Reviews

Gr 5-9-When Hopi born "Taw" walks out of a Poughkeepsie retirement home to return to the reservation, his grandson Jake flies out to retrieve him. He arrives to find everyone upset that something is killing their livestock, and the Hopi tribal members don't know if it is stray dogs or coyotes. Some believe that it might be a ghost of the Mexican lobo, a species of wolf that had long since disappeared from Arizona. It quickly becomes apparent to Jake that he must stay on and help Taw and Uncle John save the lobo from the vengeful ranchers. Jake Lanza, not new to environmental concerns, is a character reappearing from Jaguar (Hyperion, 1997) and Thunder Cave (Hyperion, 1995). This time, Jake's research biologist father remains in Brazil while Jake becomes fascinated by the plight of the lobo. A research biologist himself, author Roland Smith (Hyperion 1999) weaves interesting factual information about the wolves, the Hopi's, and the ecology of the area into the story. Peripheral characters, such a retired scientist Jake befriends on the plane and a ne'er-do-well ex-husband of Jake's cousin, become integral parts of the action-packed hunt for the lobo. Jake is brought alive by narrator Johnny Heller, who also was Jake's voice in the previous two books. His even tempered and optimistic tone is a natural choice for the insightful teenager. The multigenerational voices pose no problem for Heller, as he brings an uncanny realism to the low voices of the soft spoken Hopi elders. He easily switches between Jake, his female cousins, and Taw without missing a beat. In many ways, the plot of the wolf is secondary to Jake and Taw's pilgrimage to their native land and the strength of the relationships they build there. This would be a wonderful addition to any media collection.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

In an interesting twist on most stories about Native Americans, THE LAST LOBO features the Hopis as both the good guys--and the bad guys. Jake, the young hero, is only 15, but he's a kid with a lot of wildlife savvy, considerable outdoors skills. and an open mind about whatever life asks of him. He travels all the way from the jungles of Brazil to find his grandfather, who has returned to the family's native Hopi reservation in Arizona, where a Mexican wolf is causing havoc with ranchers and government officials alike. It's up to Jake and his grandfather's friend, Uncle John, to revive the old ways of hunting and trap the "lobo" unharmed before others kill it. Johnny Heller probably has the most authentic-sounding "boy's" voice in audiobooks today, but in "Lobo" he also manages to convey the voices of tribal elders with equal skill. This western adventure puts the reader in the saddle for one great ride. M.C. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Recorded Books
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0788747282
• ISBN 13: 9780788747281
• Binding: Audio Cassette