Sparrow Hawk Red

by Ben Mikaelsen

Thirteen-year-old Ricky, the Mexican American son of a former Drug Enforcement Agency man, tries to avenge his mother's murder by crossing over into Mexico to steal a high-tech radar plane from drug smugglers

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Childrens, School

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Aubri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid so I wanted to revisit it. I found it to be overly simplistic and unrealistic. Ricky was annoying and repetitive; why is being "a quitter" so earth shatteringly terrible anyway? Solidad was the most vibrant and interesting character of everyone.

[Farisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Sparrow Hawk Red, by Ben Mikaelsen, the main character is about a boy named Ricky. In this book Ricky is a secret pilot., When these D.E.A. agents came over to his house to ask Ricky's dad if he could steal the plane, Ricky found out his mom got killed by Mexican drug dealers, Ricky's mom wasn’t supposed to die the Mexican drug dealers were trying to kill his dad, by ruining there car and she died, Ricky was informed by agents that Benito used to work with before he retired. Ricky also overheard that stealing their plane would be revenge to them. So of course Ricky wants to steal the plane to avenge his mom. He ditched school to go to Mexico. On his journey to steal the plane he bought burritos, the lady at the stand thought he was a ratero so Ricky flashed his money and some kids saw all the money that he had and they chased him down in an alley and beat him up and stole his money and shoes. Later on, when Ricky woke up he felt like he was being watched, watched by a girl. When he was walking Ricky was being fallowed by a girl named Soledad, that day Ricky was sleeping in an alley on a cardboard box when Soledad comes over and gives him food and makes him shoes, later that day Ricky leaves her to go to were the plane was on his journey Ricky sees someone that looks familiar that he thinks is from the D.E.A., the man snapped a picture of him. On his way to Rancho Camacho there were guards guarding to plane that said, “ I’ll kill you!” after that he got scared and ran for his life. Later that day Ricky and Soledad went to make money by Picking plants and selling them to a lady because the lady gives those plants for people that are sick, Also they were washing cars with dirty water but none of their customers noticed. Follow all that hard work they found shoe-shine polish in the trash can that was almost empty but she still shined shoes and made money. Following that they broke down one of the D.E.A. in their car and flattened the tire and so he had to call the other D.E.A. agents to come help, also Ricky and Soledad found 320$, red jacket, a picture of himself, and a whole bunch of food. When Ricky found that picture of himself he knew that they were coming to save him. After that Ricky had an idea of what he should do to get the plane he got a bike and said that he the taco runner for the people at Rancho Camacho and when he got back he put these plants in the burritos and tacos which made them go to the bathroom. Read the book to find out the rest.

[Beki Eikum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been haunted by wanting to reread this book since 1997, when my teacher read it aloud to my class. It was GRIPPING. It makes even more sense as an adult than it did as a 6th grader, and it is still very plot-driven and exciting. Following a young boy who is trying to sneak into a Mexican drug cartel and steal an airplane to avenge his mother's death - I give major kudos to Mrs. Klosinski for expanding my world with this story. I will have my son read it eventually. Theres a lot of Spanish words intermixed, so it would be ideal for him to read after a couple years of Spanish. Maybe 7th or 8th grade.

[Crystal Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summary makes it sound more mature than it is - guys it’s a children’s novel - but FINALLY A BOOK FOR BOYS!!!!

Finally some wicked cool action sequences that aren’t gruesome or gory. Finally some father/son dialogue that isn’t full of loaded emotional trauma dumping. (Although the emotional subtext is there, but it’s level-appropriate). And finally, a freaking cool airplane that does flips. I loved it. My kid actually read it. So that’s a win on all accounts.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most interesting part of this story is the sympathetic treatment of the homeless children doing everything to survive on the streets of Mexico. Soledad's character was more compelling than the main character, whose name I can't even remember at the moment. The story ran long though and I struggled to finish.

[C Heaslip · Rating 4 out of 5]

6th grade lit circle. Ricky is learning to fly. Dad is a pilot and is teaching him before he is old enough for a license. Dad was a DEA agent, but retired after Mom dies in a car accident. Ricky learns Dad thinks mom was killed by a cartel. Ricky takes on a dangerous mission that his dad passed on, to avenge his mother's death. He meets the homeless community of children.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is geared at a late elementary / middle school audience. It's a nice introduction to differences in culture and socio-economic status. It's also a good adventure, though the story lags a bit in the middle and feels quite rushed / abrupt at the end.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book to my children but it's not as scary as it sounds. It's clean and safe to read to a 5th Grader and up. I'm 1/2 Mexican and enjoying reading about about a kid living on the streets in Mexico getting justice on his own against gang members.

[Axel Matfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was about thirteen and it changed my life forever. It's harsh portrayal of Mexico through the eyes of a teen was an amazing ride to a world I knew nothing about.

[Judie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for a middle school reading group, but we were all a little disappointed with the abrupt ending.

[Gianluca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a little bland in the beginning, but got better towards the end

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow not at all what I expected

[Sue Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant story
Love the character in it
And definitely an inspirational story

[Xania · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and awesome book.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about a 13 year old named Ricky who runs away to Mexico for a chance to avenge his Mother's death. The intense story gives Americans a greater appreciation for those who immigrate (on a small degree) by empathizing with the little girl he encounters and becomes friends with in Mexico. The entire time you are drawn in because the writing is very well done, and is not too redundant or slow. Sparrow Hawk Red is an imaginative adventure that (though unlikely) has a unique story line and fun thrill ride at the end. I was impressed with Ben Mikaelsen... this was the first book I read from him. The one thing I might recommend is knowing a little Spanish, I think it would make the book more enjoyable for you. No warnings or problems, but a great story overall. If you like fun stories of run-aways trying to get revenge, this is right up your alley.

[Sharayah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a favorite in middle school, and as I find myself working with middle schoolers, I'm trying to find quality literature for them.
Pros:
Exciting plot
Some Spanish words
Encourages acceptance of other people/cultures
Reminds readers that what they see on the outside may not be the same as what's on the inside

Cons:
Not a particularly challenging read

I'd highly recommend this book for use in class or for fun reading. It's especially good for kids who don't enjoy reading because it's fast paced and exciting.

[Sean Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be an amazing story of a boy avenging his mother's murder. During the book he goes through great pain and fear for revenge. Risking his life and living on the streets of mariposa all to get revenge on a drug cartel. From his nice home to the streets, the author adds twists and turns as he tries to steal a plane from a cruel and unforgiving enemy. In this expertly written story Ricky Diaz must defy, drug dealers, the U.S government and even his own father to get back at the people who killed his mother.

[Joycetho1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was fantastic, 5 star! It has a great plot. Ben Mikaelsen did a great job writing this book. Sparrow Hawk Red is about a young boy named Ricky that is very good at flying planes. In this story Ricky goes on a mission to steal a plane from Drug Smugglers in Mexico. Ricky runs into many problems in his mission. I would reccomend this book to everyone. It is easy to read, and a great story.

[Allie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to take summer school for my math credit but at the beginning they stuck me in a math class AND an English class and we has started reading this book but then I had to transfer out into another math class so I asked my teacher if I could take it home and finish reading it because I had found it quite interesting, but she said, "Go ahead and keep it. I won't need it after this summer school year." So I thanked her and finished the book, it's quite interesting! I really liked it! ;D

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a well written book and was very suspenseful.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced story about a boy who runs away over the border to Mexico on a mission to steal a special plane right out from under the noses of a drug cartel. Sounds a little farfetched, but it works. Just remember that it's fiction, and go along for the ride! (Or I should say, flight, because there's a great airplane chase)

[Dianna Caley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend kris who teaches 6th grade sent this to me. It took me a few chapters to get into it but then I couldnt put it down. The story of a13 year old boy who decides to break into a Mexican drug compound and the ratera girl who helps him is totally exciting and had some parts that were so funny I'm still laughing at them.

[Jade]

This book is very suspenseful. One thing I don't like is that the climax is at the end. But the suspense is why I gave it a four star. Overall, it's a pretty good book. Also, if you like airplanes, this is a great book for you.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

13 year old boy must fly ariplane for police - great book for kids who are interested in airplanes.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a very good book, but a little to...simple... for my taste.

[Rhonda Burbach]

GREAT book for 7th graders!

[Matthew]

it was ok

[Alyssa Debter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay but very slow in some parts.

[Olivia Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

the reason I chose this book is because of how I love the story of a kid coming back for revenge from their family or a lost loved one