Rescue of Josh McGuire Book

This is a decent adventure story that will appeal to that difficult-to-reach tween boy age group.

Thirteen-year-old Josh is on a reluctant hunting trip with his father, an angry alcoholic. While under the influence of drink, Josh's father shoots a mother bear and orphans her cub. Josh defies his father's wishes and rescues the cub'but it seems the little animal is out of the kettle and into the fire. The Fish and Game Dept. wants to take possession of the cub and send him to a biological research lab. Now it's up to Josh to decide how to save the bear.

Josh and his father, Sam, were complex characters. Unfortunately, some of the supporting characters seemed to be "types" rather than well fleshed-out people.

Rescue will appeal to the same readers who enjoy outdoor survival books in the vein of Hatchet. Unlike many other adventure books, however, it models a teen boy who chooses not to hunt and saves, rather than destroys, a commonly hunted animal. It would also make an excellent starting point for humane education and ethics discussions.