Sparrow Hawk Red (new cover) - Softcover

Mikaelsen, Ben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1423133617 ISBN 13: 9781423133612

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH, 2010

Synopsis

When thirteen-year-old Ricky Diaz discovers that his mother was actually murdered by drug dealers, he's desperate for revenge. But his father, a former drug enforcement agent, refuses the mission the DEA now offers: to steal an airplane with an American-made radar detector that the cartel uses to smuggle drugs from Mexico.

Angry with his father for throwing away the chance to avenge his mother, Ricky decides to take matters into his own hands he will steal the plane. He runs away to Mexico, disguising himself as one of the many rateros, or homeless children. Life on the streets proves extremely hard and dangerous, and he's barely surviving when he meets Soledad, a crafty but kindhearted ratera. With her help, he must find a way to get into the drug cartel's compound and take the plane - or end up as yet another casualty in the raging drug war.

In this thrilling novel, author Ben Mikaelsen sheds light on America’s war on drugs and the grittiness of street life while exploring an unexpected friendship and the healing power of family.

About this title

About the Author:

Ben Mikaelsen is the award-winning author of many books for children, including Petey, Countdown, Rescue Josh McGuire, Stranded, and Sparrow Hawk Red. He lives in Bozeman, Montana.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-8-- As in Rescue Josh McGuire (Hyperion, 1991), Mikaelsen aptly describes a 13-year-old boy's emotional response to an appalling event. Ricky Diaz, the son of an ex-Drug Enforcement Agency pilot, vows to avenge the death of his mother, an innocent victim of the international drug war. When he overhears his father refuse a secret mission to confiscate the Skyhawk, a Mexican drug cartel's plane (equipped with radar stolen from the DEA), Ricky decides to do it himself. Spanish-speaking and confident in his ability to fly small aircraft, he heads for the border. Once across, he lives among the rateros (homeless children) and meets Soledad, a streetwise waif who shares not only survival tips, but also strategies for penetrating the high-security cartel compound. Ultimately Ricky accomplishes his goal, but not without the last minute intervention of his father. Although the plot is far-fetched, many aspects of the novel ring true. The characterization is strong, the depiction of street life realistic, and the theme timely. This fast-paced tale should appeal to a varied audience, including reluctant readers. --Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1423133617
• ISBN 13: 9781423133612
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192