Andreo's Race

This was a fun young adult adventure book, which takes place in Bolivia. Somewhat formulaic, in that the teens triumphantly battle the evil adults, it also deals with the teen topic of adoption. However, the story is entertaining, the plot generally believable, the setting exotic, and the characters likeable. I also enjoyed the adventure race aspect of the story.

Sixteen-year-old Andreo and his friend Raul were both adopted as newborns in Bolivia. When Andreo's adoptive family plan a week-long multi-sport adventure race in Bolivia, the boys see it as a chance to find details of their births. News of a recent criminal investigation into the adoption agency suggests they may have been adopted illegally as part of a baby trafficking business. Long days and nights of canoeing, cycling, hiking, and caving in harsh mountain conditions are combined with their research in an adventure-packed story. This is a book I would have devoured when I was a teen for the adventure alone never mind the mystery element. Highly recommended for young adults - and even some of us older adults.

Adventure,mystery, and discovering the true meaning of family, Andreo's Race was a solid enjoyable read, Andreo's excursion through Bolivia was packed with humour and longing. Fascinating characters and plot twists keep you interested until the very end.

I enjoyed this book even though it would not have been on my radar had I not received it as a LIbraryThing Early Reviewer. I got into the action and the lives of these boys who are trying to find their birth parents while on an adventure race through Bolivia.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy. I was especially pleased, because I do enjoy reading YA books.

I liked this story for a couple of reasons: I haven't read anything, before, about adventure racing--this is a new concept to me, and I thought it sounded really exciting; also, I guess I haven't read many books about adopted children searching out their birth parents--I can't even imagine the struggle the children, birth parents, and adoptive parents go through when the adopted children come of age and start asking those questions! I thought this book was very interesting, with regards to that topic; and placing this core idea in the middle of an adventure race added an exciting element to it!

I'll definitely look for more by show more this author!!! show less

Andreo's Race was an intriguing story that kept the reader interested from beginning to end. Pam Withers crafted a unique novel that combined the excitement of adventure racing with the emotional story line of an adopted child in search of his parents. The plot was solid and there was just enough conflict to keep the reader interested in what was going to happen next. While overall the characters were fairly well developed, Some of the main characters seemed a little forced and I didn't really understand their behavior of emotions. It should be noted that many of the characters use language that would be considered unacceptable in any school across the country. While I understand that many children use this kind of language, I don't show more really like the idea of my middle schooler reading it constantly. Especially when it really isn't vital in any way to the story. Overall I would recommend this book to most readers in spite of the language. I think most middle and high school boys would enjoy this quick read. show less

Andreo and his adopted family sign up for an adventure race in South America, his land of origin. Since a 5th person is needed on the team, they take along Andreo's friend Raul who was also adopted from the same village. It is the perfect time for Andreo and Raul to try to track down their birth parents, and what they find out, leads to more questions. Between the thrill of the race and the excitement of the hunt, Andreo and Raul find themselves facing one hurdle after another. Mystery, intrigue and danger fill this novel as well as the sentiment of adopted boys trying to find out their past. An excellent choice for reluctant readers, this 164 page is recommended for grades 7 & up.