While standing on a bridge in the winter, Craig, Shawn and their friend Tony see a valuable Manga trading card sitting on the ice of the partially frozen river below them. While discussing ownership of said card, the ice they are standing on breaks off underneath them, and suddenly the boys are stranded on the ice floe as it drifts away from the bank and down the river. After a failed rescue attempt by the police, news of the boys distress gets posted over the firefighter radio station where the message is heard by Petra, and her off duty uncle Daryl. A slip prevents Daryl from going with Petra as she sets out to rescue the boys. Just before she and Hobart, a Newfoundland dog, reach the boys, the motor dies. The boys transfer to her rubber raft just in time as the floe melts away. The kids resourcefully find a way to stay alive despite the fact that they are soaking wet, and night is falling quickly. The book is a very fast read, and one that would be enjoyed by anyone who has messed around on a raft or played on an ice floe when they were told not to. Although it was an enjoyable read, I was surprised to learn that it is a Silver Birch nominee for the 2008-2009 season. ( )