A review by abigailbat
Downriver by Will Hobbs

4.0

Jessie is put out when her father forces her into a "wilderness therapy" program. He's convinced she's hanging out with the wrong crowd and is on a path to self-destruction. Jessie knows that if he would just get off her back, things would be okay. Camp is pretty lame, but things take a turn for the better when Jessie and her new friends decide to set off on their own rafting down the Colorado River. But can these kids survive the rapids without their guide?

The story, rife with adventure, explores the meaning of friendship and leadership. A group of very different kids, each with their own problems and hangups, has to work together to survive. They may or may not do so successfully. I really enjoyed this story and will look for more by Will Hobbs.