ALA Booklist

When his mom heads off for a five-month trip to China, 12-year-old Julian ose father died when he was six left with his wealthy uncle and aunt, the least sympathetic adult relatives this side of Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Things get interesting when Julian discovers his uncle has acquired a grove of old-growth redwoods for logging. With the help of his zany best friend, Danny, and Robin, a girl who lives near the grove, Julian launches a campaign to save the historic trees. French's first novel is a creditable effort, though not an entirely successful one. The kids are engaging, and the story ough purpose-driven and filled with exposition ves along briskly and plausibly enough until a deus ex machina character appears out of nowhere at the end to resolve the central conflict. Also troubling is Julian's mother's willful neglect of her son, though a number of loose plot ends suggest that this d a few other issues ght be resolved in a sequel.

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Julian can't resist reading an e-mail sent to his uncle: "Sibley Carter is a moron and a world-class jerk!!!" Robin, the note's author, is trying to protect a redwood forest from Uncle Sibley's voracious investment company. The book's modern feel balances its pastoral nature; French works in many facts about redwoods without losing the story's focus on its characters.

Kirkus Reviews

This satisfying eco-adventure stars sixth grader Julian Carter-Li, who has been left with a rich uncle in San Francisco while his mother researches in China. A leisurely buildup introduces the characters, outlines the issue of cutting old-growth redwoods and recounts the serendipitous series of events that leads Julian to discover and run away from his uncle's plan to send him to summer math camp. Hiding out at Huckleberry Ranch, he and new friend Robin explore the neighboring forest his uncle has a permit to clear-cut. The suspense ramps up as Julian is discovered and returned to the city. Helped by best friend Danny Lopez, he and Robin hatch a series of plans to save the grove. Though traditional in concept—a band of young people, a summer adventure and the timely appearance of a previously unknown relative—the absorbing third-person narrative is modernized with the inclusion of e-mails. Adults play stock roles; the focus is on the young—a group that becomes gratifyingly diverse in age as well as experience and ethnic background. A highly enjoyable read. (Fiction. 9-12)

School Library Journal (Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 4-7 When Julian Carter-Li, 12, becomes ill, he is sent by his school to the office of his wealthy, bullying uncle with whom he lives. There he sees email from a Robin Elder degrading the man for being a moron and world class jerk, and he quickly becomes fascinated with this spirited person. Through their exchanges, Julian learns that homeschooled Robin lives next to a grove of redwood trees that his uncles company plans to harvest, and Julian ditches math camp to see the trees for himself. Drawn to both the forest and Robins family, Julian embarks on a campaign to save the trees, and the children take up residence in the Elder familys tree house. With his friend Danny and Robin, he faces down his uncle to save the forest. Fast paced and full of fun, the story captures the excitement and satisfaction of defeating a large corporation. Situations are sometimes resolved too easily, and character development is spotty, but the story motivates readers to turn the pages regardless. Julians relationship with his younger cousin is well done, balancing the tension of a favored kid with genuine affection. Teachers will be able to use this novel for Earth Day discussions and can foster conversations on environmental activism of all types. The resolution reminds readers that everyone, no matter how large or small, can take action on issues that are important to them. Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library