The Last Lobo

When Jake, a teenager, takes his grandfather on a visit to their Hopi tribal homeland in Arizona, he finds himself fighting to save an endangered Mexican wolf.

Grade 5-9-In this sequel to Thunder Cave (Hyperion, 1997), Jake journeys to the Hopi reservation in northern Arizona to be with his grandfather. Tribal members are complaining that a Mexican wolf-lobo-is killing their livestock, and they are ready-like many ranchers-to blame a wolf reintroduction program in neighboring New Mexico. But the reintroduced wolves are all accounted for, and the experts suspect coyotes or stray dogs. Jake and his grandfather get involved, along with Jake's great uncle, who once trapped wolves for the government. Uncle John is sure there is a lobo, and he wants to catch it alive and return it to its likely home, Mexico. The plot moves quickly, involving readers in Jake's fascination with wolves while he also puts to use skills he has learned in his earlier adventures. A subplot involving a prison parolee once married to one of Jake's cousins is unnecessary and "sensational," and a few other subplot elements are either too easily resolved or unexplained. Nevertheless, Smith's grasp on the central story is sure and effective.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX
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