Take Me to the River

by Will Hobbs

Fourteen-year old Dylan Sands has come all the way from North Carolina to Big Bend National Park, on the Texas/Mexico border, to paddle the fabled Rio Grande. His partner in adventure is a local river rat, his cousin Rio. As they’re packing their boats for ten days in the canyons, six Black Hawk helicopters appear overhead and race across the river into Mexico.

None of their previous river experience can prepare them for the approach of a deadly hurricane and a Mexican gangster who’s carting a kidnapped child in tow. In order to make it out of the canyons alive, Dylan and Rio will have to find a way to get both themselves and the child away from the fugitive, all while navigating the wildest waters of the Southwest.

Genres: Adventure, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Survival, Action, Middle Grade

192 pages, Hardcover

First published December 8, 2010

About the author

WILL HOBBS is the author of seventeen novels for upper elementary, middle school and young adult readers, as well as two picture book stories. Seven of his novels, Bearstone, Downriver, The Big Wander, Beardance, Far North, The Maze, and Jason's Gold, were named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. ALA also named Far North and Downriver to their list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of the Twentieth Centrury. Ghost Canoe received the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1998 for Best Young Adult Mystery.

In outdoor stories that appeal to both boys and girls, Hobbs has readers discovering wild places, sharing adventures with people from varied backgrounds, and exploring how to make important choices in their own lives. A graduate of Stanford University and former reading and language arts teacher, Will has been a full-time writer since 1990. He lives with his wife, Jean, in Durango, Colorado.

Will's books have won many other awards, including the California Young Reader Medal, the Western Writers of America Spur Award, the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award, the Colorado Book Award, and nominations to state award lists in over thirty states.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cousins Rio and Dylan have planned for their paddle trip down the Rio Grande River at Big Bend for years and the fact that Rio's dad is unexpectedly called to take a job in Alaska to help make ends meet is not about to stop their dream trip that Dylan has traveled all the way from North Carolina to Terlingua, Tx to make. The cousins, however, face more than fierce waters as they begin navigating the mighty Rio Grande...encountering 15 inches of rain courtesy of tropical storm Dolly, tackling high-rising waters causing logjams and staring down the barrel of a Mexican fugitive kidnapper's gun. Hold on for a swift- flowing adventure!

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read this for Hunger Games, which is getting pretty silly. Not exactly as enjoyable as it used to be, as the books are too obscure. To be fair though, it is a challenge.
First of all, I can't believe his uncle didn't pick him up, forcing him to hitchhike in a totally strange place! He's a kid! That didn't sit right with me. And then going on the adventure with his cousin and no adult because he went overseas? Riiiight.
At least I'm pleased that he told his parents the whole crazy truth, and that they watched the interview.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure story. I read it first to make sure it was appropriate for my grandson to read. He said that he is really enjoying it.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book 4/5 stars, I rate it 4/5 stars because I liked how the author added a plot twist to liven it up. I really enjoyed the suspence and whiteriver rafting parts throughout the book. I think that the beginning of the book was slowstarting.

This books genre is realistic fiction. It's realistic fiction because it takes place at a real place at a real time but has made up people following a story in a specific situation.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan has packed his bag. At fourteen he’s flying from to Asheville, North Carolina to Alpine, Texas and then taking a bus to Terlingua Ghost Town. His long lost uncle and cousin live there. Dylan’s never met them before and he’s looking forward to his first chance. His uncle leads wilderness adventure trips. Dylan’s been to camp and learned about canoeing, rafting and white water, but this is his first trip out west to give some serious rapids a try.

After hours of grueling travel Dylan arrived at the hotel where he is supposed to meet his cousin and uncle. They’re not there, but they’ve left a message to hitchhike 80 miles to meet at a ghost town restaurant. Dylan has to decide: call home and bring the trip to an end or take a chance – a big chance. He takes the chance. Fortunately he arrives without harm but again the unexpected happens. His uncle isn’t there. He has suddenly been called away to Alaska. His fifteen-year-old cousin Rio still wants to do a rafting trip. Again Dylan has to decide: call home and end he trip, let his mom and dad know no adult is around, or agree to a smaller canyon trip. He agrees and sticks with his decision even after they are warned about Hurricane Dolly and even after they see suspicious Black Hawk helicopters flying up and down the river.



The first part of their trip is uneventful. The water is calm and low. The boys have fun getting to know each other. It kind of cool to know you know what to do in the wilderness. It’s clear Rio has had a lot of experience, but Dylan can hold his own as well. One night, while were setting up camp, two figures appear - man and seven-year-old boy. Both of them are in bad shape. The boy has red marks on his hands as if his wrists had been tied, his head is cut and his hands are scatter with cactus needles. They claim one story, but Dylan and Rio don’t believe it is true. They’d like to help, but something tells them to be wary. They end up sharing some supplies and even give the strangers their tent before heading off along the river toward the Mexican border.

The predicted bad weather arrives. Torrential rain comes, filling the river and turning their placid trip into a harrowing challenge for survival. On top of that they come upon the strangers again. The man is bad news – but the boy must be helped. Only Dylan and Rio can help him, but how? Dylan and Rio are engaged in a suspenseful struggle you’ll be racing to the end to see who comes off the river alive? Take Me to the River is an exciting ride to the very end. It’s full of details and description that make you want to raft the Big Bend River and explore the canyons – just not in a hurricane. Read Take Me to the River. You’ll be glad you did.

[Adirtwolf Wolfer]

Take me to the river was about two boys who were addicted to the water. Not just normal water, they loved to go to the river and boat all day long. The book starts off with the main caricter who is a 14 year old kid named Dylan. He starts his journey from the great North carolina to the Big Bend national park. The park is located in-between the texas and the mexico boarder. His sidekick, or his cousin who's name is Rio is always there on his adventures. One morning as they get ready to hit the rivers aegean, as there putting all there things together ten military black hawk helicopters zoom over there head from texas to mexico across the canyon. The boys are confused and quite baffled about the situation. They knew something was wrong because this only happened once ever in there history of being there. Thheroicanee boys call and ask what is going on. The military men avoided the question and told them that there is a weather alert. To there surprise there is a huge headed there way. Dylan and Rio didn't want to turn back so they headed on, they even though that the river would be fairly calm and they would be safe. Dylan in a raft and Rio in the canoe are just about to head off down the river when a man and a kid run down. The man yells out "a huge storm is on its way and if you go out you will surly die" with the little kid next to him shaking scared out of his mind.

I liked the book, it wasn't the most intreating but it kept you reading. I really like the adventurous part about it, like how the boys love to explore and go out and live life. It was also cool how they defy the storm and go out to risk there life. The things that i did not like about the story were the parts that lag on and on about how it led up to the climax. it wasn't the most intreating lead up and almost made me want to read another book. But overall i am happy that i finished it.

I would recommend this book to everyone because it is filled with mysteries and can capture your attention easily with all the twists and turns. The book will make you want to read more and more. When you finish you might even want to read it again. The book will surly surprise you and make you keep flipping the pages.

[Edan DeVilbiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The name of my book is “Take me to the River” by Will Hobbs. This book is suspenseful and leads the reader into an adventure on the raging river.

This book is fiction. Most of it is told in first person. It has an exciting tone, and is suspenseful throughout. Escaping the river and a criminal is the central conflict.

Fourteen-year old Dylan Sands has come all the way from North Carolina to Big Bend National Park, on the Texas/Mexico border, to ride the rapids of the Rio Grande River, accompanied by his cousin Rio. As the two are packaging their boats for the canyons, the U.S. Army takes control of the campground in which they are at. Six Black Hawk helicopters fly above them and across the river into Mexico. When the boys ask what is happening, the commander says that it is private and that he can't tell them, but passes a weather advisory that there is a hurricane approaching the Gulf of Mexico. He rushes the boys to finish packaging their canoes and launch them. Rio believes that their chances of running into border troubles or a major storm are slim to none. By canoe and raft, Dylan and Rio venture into the most rugged and remote reaches of the U.S./Mexico border. As they read the guidebook it says, "you probably won't see another human during the duration of the trip". That stands true until a man arrives to camp with a seven-year-old boy. The man calls himself Carlos and begs for help, but the boy is trembling and looks terribly scared. Later they find out that the boy's name is Diego and he is one great river-rafter, and that Carlos is not who he seems.

I thought that this book was very good and would read it again.
This book was very suspenseful and kept me reading to find out what happens. I felt that this book was entertaining because there was so much going on in the book. The author is very strong in descriptive writing so much so that I felt like I was a character in the book and experiencing what they were.

I thought that this book was very good and I think that others will too. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, suspense, and action.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seems to have everything it needs to be an exciting read, but I really didn't care for it. I don't think boys that young would have attempted a river neither of them had been on without an adult especially since they both had experience on the river. They knew how dangerous it could be. I was bothered by the fact that the boys didn't feel the kidnap victim's life was worth anything when they thought he was with a coyote. They saw the boy was battered, but hey, I guess if his parents paid for the guy to abuse him, he deserves it? I didn't really like or care about the characters - other then Diego. The artist friend was an idiot. I couldn't believe an adult would think it was okay for the boys to go on the river during a manhunt and with a tropical storm coming in. The ending felt too wrapped up in a nice tidy bow. The whole book left me with kind of a yucky feeling, but I'm not sure why.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dylan travels from his home on the east coast to the Big Bend area of Texas. He is looking for an adventure of white water rafting with his uncle and cousin. Without updating his parents, Dylan goes on a wild down river trip that involves a hurricane, a flood, strangers from Mexico, and no adult supervision.

I picked up this book because it was on the Lonestar 2012 list. I finished it because I had to see how it turned out. At the end of every chapter I was convinced it couldn't be good. As a mother, I just kept shaking my head.

I would recommend this book to my son Garrett as an alternative to watching a day full of Man vs Wild. It is much more real and terrifying and I would love it if he'd trade out turning pages for turning channels.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rip-roaring adventure story about two boys who run the rapids of the Rio Grande, biting off more trouble than they can imagine. Perfect for middle grade or tween readers - I loved it.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my all-time favorite, for sure. It is short, but very thrilling, adventurous, and exciting. Yet another book that everyone should read.


-Dakota

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master outdoor adventure writer Will Hobbs shows us why he's at the top of his game with this briskly paced tale about two teens rafting down the Rio Grande.

Newly arrived in the Lilliputian west Texas town of Terlingua, 14 year-old Dylan Scoot joins his 15 year-old cousin, Rio, for the whitewater trip of their lives. They just don’t know it yet.

For starters, no one bothered to tell Dylan that his uncle, Rio’s dad, has just hightailed it to Alaska for some river-guiding gigs to make up for a summer slump in business.

Undeterred, Dyland and Rio decide they can shoot dozens of miles of river rapids alone smack dab in the middle of Nowhere, just the two of them.

But what’s with those Black Hawk choppers skimming south? And U.S. military swarming the Big Bend National Park campground? Oh, and that bit about three judges being murdered by drug lord assassins?

Yowza!

There’s also “Carlos.” He claims to be your average, garden-variety “coyote.” Carlos says he’s guiding his young charge, seven year-old Diego, through the desert for a reunion with his Mom in Chicago. But something doesn’t add up. Especially when Carlos pulls a gun.

There’s also Hurricane Dolly, rising floodwaters, and Roxanne the friendly tarantula. All punctuated by Hobbs’s trademark deadpan humor.

Narrated by Dylan, this riveting, action-packed adventure will have you shivering in torrential downpours, slopping through river mud, and hanging on for dear life as the guys try to navigate storm-ripped whitewater with a murderous kidnapper breathing down their necks.

You can almost hear the white water and feel the blistering Texas summer sun in Will Hobb’s high-octane action and adventure. It's quite a ride. So I’d buckle up ‘fize you.

[Gunnar Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello This is my review on Take Me To the River By Will Hobbs. To start out I'm gonna summarize this book.

It starts in North Carolina where we are introduced to Dylan and He has been planning on going canoeing in the Rio grande with his cousin Rio and his uncle. Rio runs a river for a living and lives in a ghost town. Once they get down to The river the see some military unloading but don't think much about it. They decide to start but don't get too far before having to stop due to the darkness. They get up and start but on the journey they run into some interesting people that impact their journey. also as A hurricane comes to flood the river.

The main Themes of this Are to Trust the journey and to never give up. The reasons I picked these themes is because they are true to the book because of the problems they run into while white water rafting. If you do read this book you will find these themes very true due to the serious adventures they have.

I really do recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a action packed book with unexpected turns. The only thing I don't love about the book is the slow start. I really liked all the action and adventure in the outdoors.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Take Me To The River
Pages 184
Author Will Hobbs
Copyright date
Publisher Doesn’t say
Genre Fiction
ISBN 978-0-545-36065-4
Price 7.00

Give a summary of the book- without giving away the ending.It all starts when Dylan and his cousin Rio plan to go on a river trip down the remote canyons of the the Rio Grande along the Texas-mexico border.Weird twist take place there is a deadly hurricane approaching as the advance down the river.As they soon find out later they find a child being kidnapped by a Mexican gangster they soon have to find out how to get out of mexico..

. I thought it was a very good interesting book it had some weird turns but it had a lot of adventures and plot twist i liked it very much.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
Wyatt because he loves adventure books and its a very interesting book with twists and i think he would enjoy it.

. The i survived seris had a lot in common with this book they were common with all the plot twist and the adventures.

[Ryne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hobbs has great characterization for the dusty, heat-stricken town of Terlingua (which in my opinion is the most fully-developed "character" in the book.) Unfortunately, so much time is spent setting up the adventure that by the time it is finally in full swing, it is transpiring with less-than-developed characters. I can't even remember the protagonist's name, actually. I did like the teamwork between him and his cousin Rio. The adventure on the Rio Grande itself also went by a little too fast; I don't think the rafting trip started until about halfway or 2/3 through the book. My rating is probably 2.5 stars, more accurately. I wish the book had "taken us to the river" a lot more quickly, but I did enjoy learning a great deal about the settings of Terlingua and the "Rio Bravo" itself.

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two cousins plan to spend 10 nights canoeing down the Big Bend River between Texas and Mexico, alone, after Rio’s father gets an unexpected job in Alaska during Dylan’s visit from North Carolina. The trip starts out smoothly enough but quickly becomes harrowing as effects from a hurricane causes record water highs. In addition, an encounter with a creepy man claiming to be smuggling a young boy to his mother in Chicago adds to their unplanned adventure. This extremely suspenseful adventure will appeal to readers who also like to canoe or raft, and can identify with the skills necessary to navigate the river. Highly recommended for readers grade 5 and up. This was wonderful to listen to on audio.

[Dina Toum-Benchekroun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take Me to the River by Will Hobbs is an engaging story that easily draws the reader’s attention to commence the novel and gives them the urge to continue reading. The descriptions in the book are extremely vivid and effortlessly bring a visual image to mind. Over the summer, Dylan, a fourteen-year-old boy, traveled from North Carolina to Terlingua, Texas to paddle the Rio Grande with his Uncle Allan and his cousin Rio. However, it turned out that when Dylan got to Big Bend National Park he got a message from his uncle saying that he needs to hitchhike to the Starlight in order for him to meet his uncle and cousin. When Dylan finally met Rio he was informed that Uncle Allan wouldn’t be able to attend this excursion to the Rio Grande due to a last minute trip to Alaska. Consequently, Dylan went with Rio home and spent the night there. The next morning when the boys were having breakfast Rio proposed the idea of traveling alone to the Rio Grande without the presence of Uncle Allan. Through a lot of thinking Dylan finally agreed, so they headed to see Ariel for some supplies. Then all three of them set off for the River. On the way there they saw black helicopters heading to the Rio Grande Village and all of them were curious to know the reason why the were going over there. As Dylan and Rio were fixing the raft, Ariel went to the store to get a river permit. Simultaneously, Dylan asked a sergeant a couple questions about the safety of the river and the weather, and he also questioned him about the black helicopters and why they were here. The sergeant told him that the weather is pretty bad and that he can't tell him anything about the black helicopter or what’s going on, because he is unauthorized. Therefore, the boys waited for the river permits and hopped in the oats to go paddle the Rio Grande. Dylan and Rio were down the river having an adventurous time, when all of a sudden Rio tells Dylan that they ought to stop by a village named Sierra Del Carmen to drop off a donation for a quilt association. When they arrived there they were taking to the ladies house by car and were later caught by the police. As a result the boys ended up bribing the policeman since they didn’t have any ID on them. Finally when they arrived to the lady’s house they gave her the money and she warned them about recent kidnappings and robberies that have been going on. Subsequently it started raining and that meant that Dylan have to go set up a camp and go to sleep, and so that’s what they did. The next day they continued there exciting journey and got a message from some villagers that said to be suspicious about people down the river. For a couple more miles down the river nothing astonishing happened until Dylan and Rio decided to pack up there camp in the morning. As they were having breakfast a man named Carlos and a seven-year-old boy named Diego were walking their way. They looked very tired and hungry and all the clothes they were wearing were torn. The boys gave them food and most of their supplies. After Carlos and Diego had left, Rio knew that Carlos wasn’t a coyote that was crossing the kid to his mother and that he was a kidnapper. As Rio and Dylan left they encountered a very bad tropical storm that almost had Rio drowned. Nevertheless, the boys managed to keep on canoeing until they reached the Rio Bravo, there where they meet Carlos and Diego, again.

As the story of this novel is approaching to the resolution there are countless events that are still taking place. First of as Rio and Dylan are preparing for supper, they hear Carlos’ voice and they see him with a boat coming their way, accompanied by Diego. Dylan decided to throw a rope to Diego and save him first, and so he did. When it was Carlos’ turn to be saved, the boys decided to leave him without saving him, so Carlos went down the fierce river that was in a very fast speed. Diego stayed with the boys and he told them everything about what’s going on. Diego told the boys that Carlos was lying and that he is not a coyote, he is a murderer and a kidnapper. In addition he also told them the kidnapping started when Diego was waiting for his father outside the hotel and he heard some shots. He couldn’t go in to see what was happening but all he knew was that his dad was in there with three other judges, however he doesn’t know whether his dad is till alive or not, and so as Carlos was heading out he saw Diego and kidnapped him. Dylan and Rio gave Diego some food and then they went to sleep. The next morning as Rio, Dylan, and Diego start packing to leave, Carlos comes back and threatens Diego’s death if Dylan and Rio don’t take him to the San Rosado Canyon, so they did. Nonetheless, the boys were smart enough to trap Carlos in a logjam in the middle of the river, and before he even got his head out of the water the boys vanished. As they were paddling down the river they reached their destination and the next morning when Dylan got up a chopper came, rescued them and took them to Terlingua. When they got there Ariel had them take a hot shower, wear new clothes, and eat lunch. The next thing they new the Mexican consul came and picked up Diego to take him to his parents. Subsequently, Rio and Dylan were busy with the media explaining to them how they managed to save Diego from the kidnapper. At the termination of the novel Dylan went back home and in his way at the airport he read a newspaper article that said: FUGITIVE CAPTURED ALIVE IN THE MEXICAN DESERT, with Carlos’ picture in it.Thus, this book would mainly be recommended to students that enjoy going on adventures and discovering new areas on a daily basis.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We can make it through this!” says Rio from Will Hobbs’s “Take Me to The River”. “Take Me to The River” is about a 14- year-old boy named Dylan who goes on a trip to Texas to meet his cousin Rio. Rio and Dylan decide to embark on an adventure down the Rio Grande River which separates the United States from Mexico. This trip is full of exciting and scary experiences including seeing black hawk helicopters, a dangerous hurricane, running into a man with a seven- year- old boy begging for help, and sneaking into Mexico to donate food.

Will Hobbs did a great job adding detailed imagery which made it easy to put myself in Dylan and Rio’s shoes. He knows how to create an exciting and adventurous story. I also liked how Will Hobbs made the story seem real. I felt like I was on the boat with Rio and Dylan and was going on the same adventure. The dialogue in the book also contributed to the significant problems that Dylan and Rio were having because I could sense their emotions and hear their conversations in my head. Some parts of the story; however, were a bit slow and seemed to drag on because of all the dialogue, so it took me a couple weeks to finish, but overall, I would read the book again.

I would recommend this book to any middle school level reader who likes to go on an adventure with the characters in a book and to any reader who enjoys feeling like they are one of the characters. Overall, this is a great book, and not only does it take you on an adventure, but it also leaves you with a great lesson; to never give up and to follow your dreams.

[Cooper Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is a great book and is very interesting. This book has a lot of interesting things that happen that make this book suspenseful. One thing that I think this book could work on is its descriptiveness. I feel like there are a lot of moments that could be described better so that I as a reader can picture it better in my mind. That is the only other thing that I think this book could work on but other than that I think this book is very interesting and a good book to read if you enjoy adventure and the outdoors.

[Farizia]

This book is a quick read. Something light and fast. If you like adventure and a bit of mystery then you will love this book. Take Me to the River is a great book, I personally liked it a lot. There were cousins who went to the river who got stopped by police at the border of US and Mexico. Then they encountered a man with a bad history. This book has it all, action, adventure, suspense. I loved it, maybe you will love it too.

[Sarca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A YA read.
Dylan and his cousin Rio take a canoe trip down to the Texas- Mexican border to challenge the rapids of the Rio Grande. They meet up with a wanted Mexican along the way who killed some men and has now taken a young boy hostage. All the while, hurricane Dolly threatens to strike, bringing with it more challenges down the river.
A different kind of survival tale, this time from southern Texas. A lot of suspense in this one.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, easy, one day read. This is yet another book I read for a reading competition my daughter was going to be in. I had to quiz her on this book so I figured it would be a good idea to actually READ it. I really enjoyed it! The story was fast paced, action packed, and I cared about the characters. While some of it was a bit far-fetched, it was still a fun and entertaining book.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely written book about the southwest, bandits, and river running. A great book for boys, adventurous and morally upright. Two cousins plan to run the Rio Grande river, just before a huge rainfall and attacks on judges by drug cartels. Lots of action.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was kind of good. There was a lot of action in it but sometimes it got a little confusing.

[Zayn Shahzad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and adventurous! The story escalated quickly when a man named Carlos came along.

[Kiersten · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book but It wasn't my favorite.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good thats all i have to say

[Danny Sublette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was in seventh grade. I don't remember much other than I enjoyed it.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit unrealistic, but entertaining and adventurous nonetheless. My fourth graders loved this one.

[Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

i thought this was a great book. it is a great book because it is very detailed on all the different adventures he goes on.