McClintock, Norah. Out of Tune.

McClintock, Norah. Out of Tune. Orca           2018  222p.  $10.95          ISBN 978-1-4598-1465-3          ms/hs            Mystery/Detective VG

In this murder mystery, the third in the Riley Donovan series, our sleuth Riley figures out who killed one of her classmates, a girl who had everything going for her. The mystery will keep readers turning pages, but the author's choice of words can sometimes be a bit confusing. Will definitely appeal to those who like a good mystery story, in middle school and high school. Use of the word "bitch" and "perky breasts" but no really bad language.

Summary: When one of Riley’s classmates turns up missing, and murdered, the search is on for her killer. Suddenly, it seems there are several suspects, with sufficient motives and no alibi, who may have wanted the girl dead.     
                                   

Murder-Fiction                                                                     -- Carol Kennedy

McClintock, Norah Out of Tune

McClintock, Norah     Out of Tune   Orca    2018   222p   10.95  978-1-4598-1465-3            ms/hs Mystery/Detective    VG       
When one of Riley’s classmates turns up missing, and murdered, the search is on for her killer. Suddenly, it seems there are several suspects, with sufficient motives and no alibi, who may have wanted the girl dead.         In this murder mystery, the third in the Riley Donovan series, our sleuth Riley figures out who killed one of her classmates, a girl who had everything going for her. The mystery will keep readers turning pages, but the author's choice of words can sometimes be a bit confusing. Will definitely appeal to those who like a good mystery story, in middle school and high school. Use of the word "bitch" and "perky breasts" but no really bad language.
                                    Kennedy, Carol

Harvey, Sarah N., and Robin Stevenson. Blood On the Beach.

Harvey, Sarah N., and Robin Stevenson.  Blood On the Beach.  Orca 2017  259p. $14.95  Paperback  ISBN 978-1-4598-1293-2      ms/hs  Mystery/Suspense VG

Suspense/fear builds quickly and is sustained after one girl goes missing from a  “treatment” camp hosted by three adult counselors on a remote island. The eight teens with a variety of issues are sent to the island in hopes of having them come back as better people. When one girl goes missing and the radio is found sabotaged, the teens realize that the girl could be dead and one of them could be the murderer.  After a series of other sinister events and false leads, the teens realize they need to band together to stay safe and solve the mystery of who is really the psychotic person on the island.  The adults do not seem well-equipped to handle all the issues (assault, drugs, gender identity, psychological issues, and theft) that caused the parents to send their children to this camp in the first place. With inexperienced staff who display questionable conduct, it is a wonder that the camp had any accreditation, but that problem definitely plays into the plot. Sexual attraction, but not graphic, among the teens both gay and straight occurs during the search for the killer. The teens are the most believable part of this story as they learn about each other, support each other, and band together to protect their safety. Because of the easy vocabulary, this book qualifies as a hi/lo book for high-school readers. Recommended where mysteries are popular, especially among those who find using a rehab camp as the setting is relevant.

Summary: In this combination of Survivor and Lord of the Flies, eight troubled teens arrive on an island staffed by three adults. When one girl goes missing and the radio is sabotaged, suspicion falls on many, but only solidarity among the teens will get them off the island. Gr. 7+

Rehab-Fiction, Mystery                                            --Lois McNicol

Hughes, Alison. Kings of the Court.

Hughes, Alison. Kings of the Court. Orca  2017  192p  $9.95  Paperback  ISBN 978-1-4598-1219-2    ms/jr  Sports  VG-BN 

When a belligerent basketball coach is fired, the team wonders if their season has ended. A drama teacher, fond of Shakespearean quotes, combines fencing skills with motivational speeches based on Shakespeare to motivate the only seven players left. With humor and perseverance, the boys excel and even in a loss feel as though they are victors. Each person finds his inner strengths, including the team scorekeeper and mascot who goes on to become the lead in Henry V, the unexpected play that caps a roller coaster ride of a sports season. With a multi-ethnic and multi-racial cast, this book shows readers that self-confidence and hard work can make the impossible possible.  It is strongly recommended for young teens because of the themes of acceptance, self-confidence and overcoming obstacles.

Summary: A brutal basketball coach is fired, to be replaced by a drama teacher who loves Shakespearean quotes. The team eventually rallies around the new coach and excels even without their star scorers. Humor, perseverance and drama abound. Grades 5-8.

Basketball-Fiction, Drama-Fiction                           --Virginia McGarvey

Lieberman, Leanne . The Most Dangerous Thing.

Lieberman, Leanne .  The Most Dangerous Thing. Orca   2017 225p $14.95  Paperback  ISBN 978-1-4598-1184-3        hs/adult  Realistic fiction  VG        

Lieberman has ventured into territory that is both thought-provoking and educational.  First, she presents her protagonist, Sydney, a teenage Jewish girl, who cannot face life normally.  She wakes up daily in a fog that can render her helpless, but that can lift if she uses the techniques that she has developed through participation in sessions with Dr. Spenser.  The support cast includes her sister Abby, whose current objective is to help the world recognize that women are not just vaginas, grandfather Zeyda who is not facing the loss of his wife, much less his own dissatisfaction with growing older, her best friend Sofia, who encourages Sydney using love and common sense, and Paul, a lab partner who has more than a crush on Syd.  What Lieberman has accomplished with this myriad cast is a book that will hold readers’ attention and at the same time offer them ideas on how to deal with both anxiety and depression.  Lieberman’s message to her fans is the importance of making changes in one’s life, and it will resonate with anyone who faces the angst of growing up and trying to ensure her own happiness.  On the other hand, do we have control over our happiness?  Sydney feels happy when she bikes with her friend Fen, or when she helps her sister figure out how to present her play based on “The Vagina Monologues”.  It happens when Sydney helps her grandfather cope with loss and aging and when she accepts a new way to present Passover.  Readers of any religion and background will enjoy Lieberman’s writing style, her character development, and the ins and outs of her plot as it moves forward to the resolution.  Orca rarely disappoints, and Sydney’s story will not disappoint either.  With more mature vocabulary and topics, this book is best for high-school readers and higher.  Fearless in presenting topics that are controversial, it is so much more than just a love story.

Summary: Sydney’s depression makes building relationships difficult.    This novel features an original pairing of the topics of depression and sexual awareness.  Sydney deals with both as she faces her inability to function normally from day and also learns to accept herself as a sexual being who can develop a meaningful relationship with a young man.

Depression-Fiction                                          --Martha Squaresky