The Amazon

The Wildes #1

by Roland Smith

Ring and Asia Wilde's life is anything but ordinary. Some of their closest friends are endangered monkeys and rare birds. Instead of attending middle school, they accompany their parents (scientists who work to save endangered species) on adventures around the world. They spend more time climbing trees, tracking animal prints, and taking on three-hundred-pound anacondas than they do filling out worksheets. But a research trip to the Amazon rainforest turns into a dangerous mystery when their mother goes missing. Who kidnapped Dr. Jane Wilde, and why? Ring and Asia have the skills to survive the jungle--but do they have what it takes to rescue their mom?

Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Animals, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Action

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2023

About the author

Roland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.

Reviews

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book!! I love all the climate change awareness in the book, and how the plot line had a lot to do with stopping a man that was hurting a lot of the Amazon Rainforest with his gold mining and hunting endangered animals. There was a also a mystery aspect to it because the mom disappeared in the beginning! They tied together into a very well written book😁

[Adley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super fun book that is action packed, fun, entertaining, educational, and friendly. I loved how friendly the family was and how much fun I had reading this book.

[Tawny Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The people mining for gold in the rainforest was both disturbing and fascinating, really exposing the lengths some will go for profit, regardless of the environmental or human cost (part of this can be seen as a little too intense). It was a powerful reminder of the madness behind such destruction. My daughter and I appreciated the educational side of the book—learned a lot about the ecosystem, the stakes of deforestation, and the people fighting to protect it. Overall, it was both informative and thrilling, and a good read. One thing I found annoying was how much eat sentence felt chopped and the repetition of he said /she said. Per usual, my daughter gave it 5 stars and enjoyed the storyline .

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ring and Asia Wilde are used to being left to their own devices in the Amazon along with their tutor, Professor Bob, while their mother and father study different environments and the animals there, but when their mother goes missing and isn't in any of her usual haunts, they start to worry. With the help of a local man, Raoni, they find that their mother has been kidnapped by men Raoni thinks are poaching the golden tamarinds Dr. Jane Wilde is studying. The children, along with the somewhat unprepared Professor Bob and the very helpful and adept Raoni, travel across the rainforest and manage to uncover an illegal conspiracy that threatens the rainforest, and do eventually locate their mother, who apologizes for all of the time she has had to spend away from them. This doesn't stop the family from having another adventure in The Vaquita, out August 15, 2023
Strengths: There is a lot of good STEM information about studying habitats, and Ring and Asia have clearly paid attention to their lessons. The Amazon is a fascinating and colorful place that has a TON of dangerous things that are fascinating. Poaching is a problem in many parts of the world, especially involving endangered animals, so it's good to bring attention to that. Smith always writes a good survival tale; I love his recent The Switch, and his mountain climbing 2007 The Peak series has been a steady circulator.
Weaknesses: The presence of Professor Bob, who wasn't that helpful, made this seem a little young. Befriending a local guide when their mother goes missing follows the standard middle grade formula, but Professor Bob making the two do homework after they realize their mother is gone wasn't as much fun as the two being on their own.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who liked Marquez' Wild Survival series or Gibb's Charlie Thorne, or who secretly harbor a desire to see really dangerous parts of the world!

[Alanna Vane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Asia and Ring are camping in the Amazon rain forest, where their mother, a renowned scientist, is reintroducing Golden Lion Tamarin monkeys into the wild. When their mother goes missing, Asia and Ring go in search of her.

Favourite Scene: My favourite scenes were all the treks through the rainforest. There were many mentions of the wild life, and fun facts dropped in for nature and animal enthusiasts.

Weak Points: There are some mentions of the difficulties of having busy and absent parents, but this was barely explored, and in the end it was simply swept under the rug without any real changes.

Enjoyment Rating: FIVE STARS

This book was fast paced, fun, and informative from beginning to end.

Ponder Rating: THREE STARS

This book explored the greed for gold and the threat of mining to the rainforest, and while it is an important point, it was hard to empathize with a couple of rich scientists. There was some exploration of the horrible conditions for workers in these mines, as well as their poor pay, which added a valued viewpoint.

I have been frustrated with how I never seem to be content with what I have, there is always this drive for more. This book prompted me to bring up these thoughts with a friend, who had the real insight: that it is not the desire for more that is the problem. It depends on the object of those desires.

Conclusion: This is less my usual style, and didn’t make it to my list of favourite/unforgettable books, but it was so fun and fast paced that I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adventurous and intriguing series will delight both boys and girls. The story immerses the reader in the middle of the Amazon jungle, fighting to save their kidnapped mother, the Amazon, and the creatures living there. I loved following them through the rainforest and thinking about how brave and gusty Ring and Rosa were. Teachers will love how Rosa and Ring care about the environment and work to stop people from destroying the precious things in our world.  The stories are filled with mystery and suspense while confirming the importance of caring for all organisms on Earth.

I love the black-and-white illustrations used for each chapter. Each page of these fast-paced books will keep kids reading. David Dean did a fabulous job illustrating the covers of these books. The bright colors and the action shown on the book covers will excite readers before even opening the book. They are perfect. 

I was impressed by all the details in each scene in every book. I immediately knew someone with a Zoo background and a Research Biologist like Ronald had written it. Don't miss this book and the great opportunity to win the first three books of this new series on Writing and Illustrating.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asia and her brother Ring Wilde live an exciting life following their research biologist mother through the Amazon or hanging around their veterinarian father’s animal park in Texas. They have learned to fend for themselves and when they find themselves waking up to an empty camp with no sign of their mother, they take it in stride. They check their mother’s research platforms high above the rainforest and find no sign of her. When they return to camp they find it has been ransacked and they discover their hapless tutor “Professor Bob” fleeing from a swarm of flies. When they wake up the next morning they are visited by Raoni, an indigenous member of the Kayapo ethnic group. Raoni is concerned about illegal gold mining in the rainforest and offers to help them find their mother. When it becomes clear their mother was kidnapped, the adventure kicks off. Start of what is sure to be a fun and adventurous series!

[Mary Beth MacLeay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent environmental adventure. Ring and Asia return to camp deep in the Amazon rainforest to discover everyone is missing except their tutor Professor Bob. Plenty of biology information in this, from the Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula to the species they are trying to save the Golden Lion Tamarin. With the help of an indigenous friend, the group goes in search of their abducted scientist mother. The rainforest and its inhabitants are foundational for this story. Tense but not overtly violent. 4th grade +. not easy vocabulary but will appeal to animal lovers.

[Kelly]

I loved this book. It's totally a Roland Smith book - it's got his adventure and knowledge of animals and characters we care about. I'm so glad book 2 comes out next week. It's about the vaquita which is a real life endangered creature. Roland Smith's zoo background just fascinates me.

[Chelby · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were too many instances of violence in this book that I don’t believe is suitable for children. There was repeated use of guns and physical aggression. The character’s dialogue was dry and not engaging. No real character development and not that much scientific knowledge included.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Roland Smith, but there wasn’t much new here. No plot surprises or great characterization. This book is meant for a young audience, but I would recommend the Cryptid Hunter series instead.

[Elizabeth Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 10th sunshine state book. It was ok. The rain forest is being destroyed, and the wildes family is doing research on a monkey species. There is kidnapping, escapes, guns and knives. I just felt the book was in limbo, between adventurous and danger, just a strange in between.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We mostly liked reading this adventure. The kids and I were appalled at the choice a parent makes towards the end of the book. The brother and sister were always annoyed and snarky with each other, and that just bugs. I edited some of that and several "omg's" out.

[Tanya Prax · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how it is like a suspense and also adventurous.

[Ace C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loved this book … can’t wait for book 2

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

When their mother disappears in the Amazon rainforest while researching golden lion tamarins, Asia and her brother ring leave base camp to seek her.

[Ms. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure story with elements of sustainability and environmental science mixed in. It is an enjoyable, fast-paced read with lots of cliffchangers throughout.

[Jennifer H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that great of story telling.

[Eliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Amazon
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ .5 (2.5/5) or 5.42/10 overall

Characters - 5

Atmosphere - 6

Writing - 5

Plot - 5.5

Intrigue - 6

Logic - 5.5

Enjoyment - 5

[Dusty Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read. It reminded me of Wild Thorneberies the TV show with some mystery involved.

[rowan ꩜ · Rating 3 out of 5]

good premise and setting. had flat writing though and didn’t manage to keep me on my toes which u would expect from these types of books. i liked the message though which is why i didn’t rate it 2 stars

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced adventure that delivers plenty of excitement for middle-grade readers. There was a strong environmental message and the kids in the story were likable. I thought it was a solid story overall—engaging and well-written—but some of the action scenes felt surprisingly intense for a children’s book.