Synopsis
Kip's only friends are the members of the Daredevil Club, a club whose mission is to complete seven dangerous dares before their rivals, the Wildmen, complete their list of dares. Before the cliff diving accident in which he lost the use of his leg, Kip had been the leader of the Daredevil club. Now he has difficulty completing the dares and suspects that his membership is threatened. As the daredevils plan their final stunt, a dangerous climb along a narrow steel shelf beneath a bridge, they try to convince Kip that he may not be up to the task. Kip refuses to back down even though he suspects his friends might be right. Pam Withers is the best-selling author of several sports adventure novels for kids including Camp Wild and Breathless. Pam lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Children's Literature
Kip and three of his friends form a high adventure club called the Daredevils. They have accomplished three out of seven dangerous stunts when the reader is introduced to the group. Kip is now at a disadvantage, however, as during the most recent stunt—a jump off the cliffs at a nearby lake—he hit an underwater boulder and severely damaged his leg. Using a cane and going to physiotherapy sessions may have slowed his body down but he feels the need to prove to himself, his friends, and their rival club the Wildmen, that he is still a leader and the same old Kip. Valuing friendships, learning to love yourself no matter what emotional or physical state you are in, and reaching out to the world rather than wallowing in one's own self pity, are all themes presented in this slim book written in a larger than usual typeset. The interest of younger readers will be kept by the fast pace of the sequence of events. The impetus for this book was the author's back injury, which found her wondering what would happen if a person continued taking excessive risks after a serious injury, in order to keep up with their unbroken self. Recommended.