Deep in Trouble, Deep in the Canyons

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 River. His partner in adventure is a local river rat, his cousin Rio. As the two are packing their boats for ten days in the canyons, the U.S. Army suddenly commandeers the campground where they are launching. Six Black Hawk helicopters appear overhead and race across the river into Mexico.

The Army won’t tell the boys what’s happening, but passes along a weather advisory: a hurricane is approaching the Gulf of Mexico. Dylan and Rio have their hearts set on their trip and can’t give it up. 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. You may well not see another human being during the duration of your trip, the guidebook tells them. They don’t, until a man stumbles into camp with a seven-year-old boy. A storm is brewing as the man who calls himself Carlos begs for help … the boy is trembling with fear.

Awards and Honors for Take Me to the River

Junior Library Guild Selection