Gr 5-8 "Most families look pretty normal from the outside," Solo Hahn reflects. His family looks like a father who quit his Hollywood job to write a novel and a mother who willingly left California to simplify their life. In reality, Solo's parents fled Los Angeles for a trailer in Oregon after his father attempted suicide. The eighth grader resents being stripped of his home, friends, and possessions. His only happiness is his kitten, and he loses that when an owl swoops down and snatches it. Panicked, Solo attempts to shoot the owl to save the kitten and finds himself sentenced to probation, eventually volunteering at the local raptor rescue center. Solo sees his life spiraling out of control: he is now an "at-risk youth," and he's scared of leaving his father alone in case he tries to kill himself again. His only friend is the boy next door, who has Down syndrome. Solo is beginning to find peace in his new life when his father disappears and his family situation boils over. Written in first person, Solo's narration is interspersed with his screenplay versions of his life, adding an appealing insight. The backstory of Solo's dad is slowly revealed, along with his mother's stress and unhappiness with the move. Unfortunately, the attempt to integrate three major and complex themesraptor education, Down syndrome awareness, and suicideweighs the story down a bit, and Solo's decision to stay in Oregon when offered the chance to return to L.A. does not feel believable. But neither issue will likely deter readers, who will enjoy the unique plot and lively pacing. VERDICT A good action-adventure story compelling enough for reluctant readers. Hand to fans of books about the great outdoors and the wilderness.— Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA

Solo Hahn's life is coming apart at the seams. After his father's suicide attempt, the family relocates from Redondo Beach to a small trailer in the Oregon woods. Solo must leave behind his home, his beloved screenwriting class, his surfing buddies, even his TV and DVD collection, in hopes that a simpler life will ease his father's anxiety. One thing he is allowed to keep is his recently adopted kitten. When the kitten escapes the trailer and is killed by an owl, Solo reacts violently, earning him the label "at-risk youth" and eight months of community service at a raptor rehabilitation center. Solo wants nothing to do with the birds at the center or any of the people in his new town. All he wants is to return to his old life. As time passes, however, he gets to know the other volunteers at the raptor center, befriends his neighbor with Down syndrome, experiences the beauty of the Oregon wilderness, and realizes that not all changes are bad.The story is told from Solo's perspective, but he lacks the maturity to effectively address some of the more difficult issues in the book, including depression and domestic violence, and often seems younger than thirteen. Even reflections on Solo's own emotions and transformation lack insight. The screenwriting device is poorly integrated and does not add to the character or the plot. While this book should appeal to fans of wilderness survival and realistic animal stories, it can feel preachy and flat at times. This is an additional purchase for collections in need of middle school problem fiction.Bethany Martin.