Anita Daher
Orca Book Publishers (2007)
ISBN 9781551436753
Reviewed by Anne Marie Medema (age 12) for Reader Views (4/08)
Anita Daher cleverly weaves a story of intrigue, filled with danger and excitement. In the book “Racing for Diamonds,” Daher writes a story with a theme and location she is familiar with. With descriptive vocabulary and flowing phrases, Daher makes the story come alive in the mind of the reader. Daher wrote in a way that causes the reader to anxiously turn each page to the end.
“Racing for Diamonds” begins with our main character Jaz participating in a first-aid course. Jaz is training to compete in a dog sled race in Canada. In the race Jaz is paired with Colly, a master corporal. She and Colly start out in first place in the dog-sled race and go through several checkpoints still in the lead. Soon they meet up with Gunther, a diamond mine cleaner. Gunther pulls the dog team of Jaz and Colly aside. Gunther says he left town abruptly because his little boy named Luka was kidnapped by a Russian who wants all the diamonds. The three of them meet up with the Russian and Luka. It would be a fight, but fortunately the JCR Rangers approach in a helicopter looking for Jaz and Colly. The JCR Rangers rescue Gunther and Luka. The Russian is sent to prison. Colly and Jaz do not win the dog-sled race. But they do win Medals of Honor for rescuing Gunther and Luka. Jaz and Colly are highly praised and commended for their bravery by the JCR Rangers.
I recommend “Racing for Diamonds” by Anita Daher. It is a story targeted for young readers who enjoy adventure and action. I enjoyed the setting of this story as it takes place in a part of North America I have never visited before. Also, it enlightened me about what it is like to participate in a dog-sled race. I liked how the author packed so much adventure into a small easy-read novel. Hitch yourself into “Racing for Diamonds,” by Anita Daher, and get swept away into a snow-packed adventure.
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