Race the Wild #2: Great Reef Games

In the second leg of The Wild Race, the competitors are whisked off to Australia, to the Great Barrier Reef. They are assigned an adult to help them, and told not to disturb the delicate ecosystem of the area. As in the first race, they are given clues, told to take pictures, and have to be the first to finish in order to win. This time, Sage is having troubles concentrating. Mari is desperately sea sick, so the group misses her knowledge. The group runs into other difficulties, as well-- Sage falls overboard, and the group is slowed down when they find an injured sea turtle and must wait for someone to come and help them. We find out why Sage is out of sorts, and why it is so important for her to win the million dollar prixe money.

The science in this is every bit as good as it is in the first book, and there are lots of interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef. There is also a very good lesson on symbiosis, or mutualism, that students will understand because of all of the examples that are mentioned, and the brilliant part is that it is woven into the story in a way that it doesn't seem science-y at all!

Sage's difficulties add to the interest of the book but are not dwelt on too much, striking a good balance for early readers. Readers who are intrigued by Gordon Korman's Dive or Island series or Spradlin's Killer Species books, or who have a fondness for Jean Craighead George's work will find this adventure to be a satisfying dip in exotic waters!