"Shawn Mahoney and Tony Steeves, both ten, and Shawn’s younger brother, Craig, eight, are trapped on an ice floe and speeding down New Brunswick’s Chocolate River. They are quickly spotted by a passerby, who calls 911 and set the police and fire departments in motion. What ensues is a complicated and dangerous rescue mission. The water is moving fast, and it will be terribly difficult to intercept the boys at the right point on the river. If they float all the way out to sea, they could be lost forever. Enter Petra, a twelve-year-old girl about to go cross-country skiing with her off-duty firefighter uncle when they pick up a call about the boys on the ice floe. They answer the call and rush to get a broken zodiac raft that happens to be hitched to their truck into the water, but there is an accident. Petra’s uncle breaks his ankle and can’t get to the boys, so it’s up to Petra to save them. Chocolate River Rescue, inspired by a true story, has the same pace as the best adventure books—a challenge in every chapter and mounting urgency to get the kids to safe ground. The heroes of the book, the three boys and Petra, learn how to confront their own fears and work together in the face of terrible danger, and that they are more brave and capable than they thought. They also learn that a chocolate river is far better served warm, over brownies, than cold on an ice floe." (Grades 4-8)