For the past four years, Rick Walker has been shuffled between foster care and group homes. At 14, he's a kid nobody wants or cares about. Now he's headed for Blue Canyon Detention Center. For Rick, life is a maze full of dead ends. But when he is threatened at Blue Canyon and runs away, Rick finds himself in a real maze-the enormous rocky expanse of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. There, Rick meets a biologist who has devoted his life to reintroducing the condor to its natural habitat. As Rick joins him to protect the giant birds, the teenager will begin to see choices instead of dead ends. Will Hobbs has written many popular, award-winning books for young adults. Works such as Beardance, The Big Wander, and Downriver have won ALA Best Book Awards. The Maze is filled with riveting adventure in an unforgettable wilderness setting. Ed Sala's taut narration sets the perfect tone for Rick's journey toward confidence and trust.
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"If you like Gary Paulsen, you will love Will Hobbs. Really good stories even girls would like, but his books especially appeal to boys. 14-year-old Rick is all alone and on the run. Hiding in the back of a pickup he suddenly finds himself in the middle of The Maze. Alone in the wilderness with a semi-friendly stranger, two meanies with a nasty pit bull, and six fledgling condors. A really good story although the ending is a little pat."
— Dayna (4 out of 5 stars)
" Doesn't do it for me, but the teenage boys like this one. "
— MrsB, 2/17/2014" Good solid Will Hobbs. Redeaming story and a 'high-flying' adventure. "
— Kris, 2/15/2014" This book had a lot of good action. If you like books that are based in the outdoors you will probably like this one. "
— Mister, 2/6/2014" I liked this book but some parts were hard to read because of its lengthy nature :/ "
— Charis, 1/25/2014" I thought it was an interesting adventure story. "
— Jake, 1/19/2014" Rick Walker ends up lost in the stark desert canyons of Utah, where he finds the camp of Lon Peregrino, a bird biologist who is working to re locate California Condors in the wild. In the process of working with the fledgling condors and exploring the stark canyon landscapes Rick comes to learn more about himself and realize that running away from his problems will not solve them. "
— Smarlin, 1/18/2014" It was a very good book and a very much so enjoyed reading it.. I would suggest this to anyone who like a little bit of drama and intense moments "
— Lucas, 1/15/2014" i hated the book. it was about birds. "
— Israelwheatley, 1/15/2014" This author is a favorite with me. I love his adventure books. The Maze is a real good adventure book. You will see how the "Maze" changes the character. Good Read "
— Sharon, 12/27/2013" A YA survival story about a young boy named Rick. He escapes from a detention facility into the southern Utah desert. He hooks up with a guy and ends up studying condors. It is pretty good and might appeal to the "Hatchet" readers. "
— Patrick, 12/6/2013" Did not enjoy the book. Kindof exciting, but overall horible. "
— Carrie, 12/5/2013" This book was full of great lessons such as keeping a positive attitude and realizing that mistakes are not the end. But the subject matter of condors, hang gliding, and canyon exploring were not really interesting to me. Twelve year old boys, however, would love it. "
— Tiffany, 10/19/2013" The book was filled with great details especially when the main character, Rich, glides from off the cliffs of the Canyonlands. "
— Orrin, 10/18/2013" Meh. Worth keeping because it's perfect for some readers. The suspense/ "save the condors" part was fairly predictable, and the resolution didn't seem plausible to me. "
— Liz, 8/13/2013" great story line ad a good meaning. "
— Joshua, 6/22/2013" I met Will at a writers conference in Utah and loved his talks. I really didn't think I was going to like this book because it wasn't my "usual read." But I'd found Will to be such an entertaining person that I decided to give this a good try. I enjoyed this book more than say. Thanks Will! "
— Dawn, 5/10/2013" Good Adventure book about freedome and friendship "
— Joel, 4/30/2013" 14 yr old orphan Rick leaves the boys center where he is incarcerated & ends up in Canyonlands National Park Utah assisting a condor release project & finding his way to his life. Good adventure "
— Vicki, 4/7/2013" Foster care, juvie, and animal preservation? Sign me up! "
— Laurie, 3/29/2013" A fun short listen on a car drive to Ponca City.. Enjoyed it more then I thought. "
— Michael, 3/25/2013" Solidly entertaining and well written. I like the setting and the inclusion of narrative and information about condors, which sets it apart as unique. "
— Jason, 3/23/2013Will Hobbs is the author of many outdoor adventure novels for upper elementary, middle school, and young adult readers, as well as a few picture book stories. Several of his novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and Ghost Canoe, his first mystery, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. The ALA’s list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of the Twentieth Century includes two of Will’s titles: Far North and Downriver. A graduate of Stanford University and a former reading and language arts teacher, he lives with his wife in Durango, Colorado.
Ed Sala has narrated dozens of audio books throughout his career. His readings include Harlan Coben’s Tell No One, Stephen Sears’ Gettysburg, and Cormac MacCarthy’s Outer Dark.