Review Detail

Julian Carter-Lis mother left him with his uncles family while she travels for a job in China. He hardly knows the wealthy, self-centered aunt and uncle who barely tolerate his presence. He does enjoy his younger cousin Preston, but wishes his mom would hurry home. Julian feels unhappy, but his real troubles begin when he intercepts an e-mail intended for his uncle. He learns that Uncle Sibleys company plans to cut down a stand of old-growth redwoods.

Julian and his buddy Danny Lopez exchange e-mails with Robin Elder, the girl defending the trees. The boys and Robin hatch a scheme that helps Julian escape math camp and lands him an internship with the Elder family. On their farm, the boy discovers the richness of rural life, the beauty of the redwood forest, and a sense of family.

Julian and his friends take a few wrong turns while pursuing moral right. Julian reads e-mail that isnt his. He runs away. The children lie by omission to Robins parents and Julian is sent back to his relatives. But, these young people take responsibility for their actions, the wrong and right. Their clever pranks grow into concerned activism. Instead of just reacting to circumstances, Julian develops gumption and begins to take action. Asking forgiveness for their mistakes results in an invitation for Julian and Danny to visit the Elder family. Reunited with Robin and joined by her friend Ariel, the four young people devise better tactics for safeguarding the trees. They stand up to Uncle Sibley and stage a peaceful protest in a tree house high in the redwoods.

Operation Redwood provides an eco-friendly read stressing the importance of protecting nature. The storys interesting, racially diverse characters discover the value of old-growth trees. They also learn from their blunders and find their strengths. Julian and his friends realize the importance of preserving the redwoods for the future and become heroes while standing up for conservation.