Klass, David. Whirlwind.

KLASS, David. Whirlwind. (The Caretaker Trilogy, Bk. 2.) Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 304p. c2008. 978-0374-32308-0. $1795. JS *

In this action-packed ecological thriller, Jack, our hero, has been gone from his hometown for six months, off fulfilling his destiny and saving Earth's oceans.

Now he returns to try to see his high school sweetheart, P.J., only to discover that she's disappeared and he's being blamed. Jack escapes with the wisecracking telepathic dog Gisco and heads off in a hot air balloon for the Amazon to rescue P.J. and save the planet once again. The Dark Lord is destroying the rain forest, and only the great wizard scientist, the Mysterious Kidah, can stop him. Jack must find Kidah and P.J and help fight the dread Dark Lord and his army. Eko, the beautiful "Ninja Babe" from the future, is there to help as Jack faces all kinds of new dangers in this breathless adventure. While the plot of Book 1, Firestorm, is summarized, this will work better for those familiar with that story than new readers, but every YA will enjoy the nonstop action, the fantasy and horror elements, and the heartfelt ecological message. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.