No adults, no permit, no river map. Just some "borrowed" gear from Discovery Unlimited, the outdoor education program Jessie and her new companions have just ditched. Jessie and the others are having the time of their lives floating beneath sheer red walls, exploring unknown caves and dangerous waterfalls, and plunging through the Grand Canyon's roaring rapids. No one, including Troy, who emerges as the group's magnetic and ultimately frightening leader, can forsee the challenges and conflicts. What will be the consequences of their reckless adventure?

Will Hobbs is the award-winning author of several novels, including the <i>Avon </i>titles<i> Bearstone, Kokopelli's Flute</i>, and <i>Far North</i>, and the American Library Association has recognized four of Will's novels as Best Books for Young Adults. His novel <i>Downriver</i> was chosen as one of the ALA's 100 Best of the Best Books of the past 25 years. Winner of the California Young Reader Medal, <i>Downriver</i> was an <i>American Bookseller</i> Pick of the Lists. <i>Downriver</i> has been nominated for state awards in Texas, Utah, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington. Hobbs lived in many places during his youth, including Alaska, Texas and California. He and his wife, Jean, now live in the mountains outside of Durango, Colorado. <i>Downriver</i> and <i>River Thunder</i> draw heavily on Hobbs' own experience rafting down the Colorado and also demonstrate his tremendous love of and respect for nature.