Wind Riders: Search for the Scarlet Macaws

Illustrated by Izzy Burton

“‘But why?’ asked Sofia. Her cheeks flushed hot. ‘Who would cut down a tree with chicks in it?’”

Max and Sofia are back for another eco-adventure in this second installment of the Wind Rider series. This time, Wind Rider brings the kids to the vibrant Amazon rainforest. As Max and Sofia begin exploring the area, they come across an area full of burnt tree stumps. Soon, they meet Paulo, a local boy who reveals the devastating story behind the destruction: “A rancher set a fire to clear the land for farming… but it was so dry and windy, the fire got out of control. It destroyed all this forest and drove a lot of animals away from their homes.” But Paulo reveals that there was at least one species still remaining: the scarlet macaws. The group goes to visit the adorable baby macaw chicks, but their joy is short-lived as they make a troubling discovery. The trees around the macaw nest are marked with X’s, meaning they are set to be destroyed. Max and Sofia won’t stand for this injustice and vow to help Paulo save the macaws and their habitat.

Search for the Scarlet Macaws brings attention to the devastating impacts of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. During their adventure, Max and Sofia learn that that the Amazon rainforest is currently being cleared to make way for various human commercial enterprises. The deforestation not only harms the local ecosystems but also helps facilitate wildlife trafficking. By destroying habitats, poachers are more easily able to capture vulnerable species and sell them on the black market. Through the kids’ heroic efforts to save the macaws, the book emphasizes the importance of habitat preservation and wildlife conservation for keeping ecosystems intact.

Furthermore, Search for the Scarlet Macaws demonstrates that environmental destruction not only harms the natural world but also the local communities dependent on it. For example, Paulo openly voiced his frustration over the deforestation, explaining to Max and Sofia that the forest’s biodiversity loss has driven tourists away. The decline in tourism has directly impacted his family, who rely on it for their livelihood. Yet it turns out his cousin Antonio, whose family was also struggling, ended up resorting to tree chopping to make ends meet. Paulo and Antonio’s differing approaches to their economic struggles conveys the dangers of short-term thinking. While Antonio tried to provide immediate relief for his family, Paulo instead focused on finding a long-term solution to the problem. This contrast reinforces the book’s messages about environmental justice and how human and environmental prosperity are interconnected, emphasizing how we should prioritize protecting the environment rather than exploiting it for short-term gain.

©2026 ClimateLit (Alexandra Delacruz)

More:

  • Search for the Scarlet Macaws is the second book in the illustrated chapter book series Wind Riders. See reviews for other books here.

Publisher: Harper Collins, 2021

Audience: Ages 4-7, Ages 8-13

ISBN: 9780063029293

Pages: 128

Lexile Score: 570L

Format: Novels

Topics: Biodiversity Loss, Deforestation, Endangered Species, Environmental Destruction, Habitat Loss, Habitat Preservation, Human Expansionism, Kinship Care, Logging, Rainforests, Wildlife, Wildlife Trafficking, Youth Climate Activism