FLASH POINT

Luther Wright begins his sophomore year of high school in Montana, making mysterious references to some event that occurred the year earlier and led him to drop football and partying. Instead, the now-loner gains an intense interest in raptors. Local veterinarian Kay hires him to help her rehabilitate injured raptors, their wounds often caused by ignorant locals. His home life is difficult, with his stepfather increasingly raging at the family because of the forest fires spiraling out of control in this lumber-driven locality. Luther meets new girl Alex, who is also concerned about the fires, their possible causes and how they affect the environment. Facing ridicule, anger and violence, Luther learns to stand up for his beliefs and his beloved birds. The ending is a bit rushed and the heroics of Luther and Alex hard to swallow; however, there is a great deal of information woven into this interesting, well-paced story. Forest fires (good and bad), politics and corporate greed all play into the tale, and Luther is a realistically confused teen. Young teens interested in nature, animals and ecology will probably find much to enjoy. (Fiction. 11-15)