Swept in the Wave of Terror - Hardcover

Grade 4-6 Poor characterization and stereotypes mar this potentially gripping story. When their grandmother cancels her summer visit, Tiger and Tonia are forced to join their performing parents in a Las Vegas show. Neither child is pleased at this prospect, but once rehersals begin, the children get caught up in their new routine. Tonia befriends Chief, an elderly Navajo performer; Tiger becomes enthralled with Ernesto, caretaker for the show's horse. Unwittingly, Tiger, Tonia and Chief get swept up in Ernesto's terrorist plan to blow up Hoover Dam, thwarting his conspiracy just in the nick of time. Ernesto is killed; the two children are almost blown up. They are applauded as hero and heroinewith no mention from their parents of the danger of agreeing to assist Ernesto or the seriousness of Tiger's willingness to blow up the dam. Although much information is given about Ernesto's troubled past, his Spanish-speaking homeland and its oppressive military regime are purposely left vague. In a book that is otherwise factually and geographically specific, this generalization of Latin American politics smacks of prejudice. Chief, too, seems suspiciously like the "noble savage" of old. His unending patience with the children's and show people's insensitive remarks makes him appear ineffectual and passive. Political issues play an important part in this adventure story, but the author's refusal to meet them head on, intentionally or unintentionally, trivializes them and reduces them to cliches. Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library
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