Rodman, Sean. Dead Run. (Orca Sounding series)

Rodman, Sean.  Dead Run. (Orca Sounding series)  Orca  120p  $9.95      978-1-4598-0244-5  2012  hs  VG     Realistic Fiction    

Sam lives to race bicycles.  When a former Olympian cyclist offers to train him, as long as Sam becomes a messenger for his courier company, Sam grabs the opportunity.  But the job turns out to be more than Sam expected when he finds himself running for his life.  Fast-paced and full of suspense, this book is an excellent choice for reluctant readers.  The characters are believable, and the gritty, urban setting  is realistic.            

Bicycle Racing–Fiction, Adventure–Fiction             --Lynn Fisher

Rodman, Sean. Dead Run. (Orca Sounding series)

Rodman, Sean.  Dead Run. (Orca Sounding series)  Orca  120p  $9.95      978-1-4598-0244-5  2012  hs  VG     Realistic Fiction    

Sam lives to race bicycles.  When a former Olympian cyclist offers to train him, as long as Sam becomes a messenger for his courier company, Sam grabs the opportunity.  But the job turns out to be more than Sam expected when he finds himself running for his life.  Fast-paced and full of suspense, this book is an excellent choice for reluctant readers.  The characters are believable, and the gritty, urban setting  is realistic.            

Bicycle Racing–Fiction, Adventure–Fiction             --Lynn Fisher

Ross, Jeff. Coming Clean. (Orca Sounding series)

Ross, Jeff.  Coming Clean. (Orca Sounding series)     Orca  112p  $9.95 

978-1-4598-0331-2      2012  ms/hs   VG-BN      Realistic Fiction

Rob dreams of being a DJ.  He spends his time in his bedroom working on beats with his turntables.  His brother Adam gets him a gig as a substitute DJ at an all-ages club, and this is his big chance.  The set goes well, and he is packing up his gear when the lights go out.  In the following panic, Rob stumbles over a body.  It is girl from his school who has died from a drug overdose.  Rob finds out that his brother has been the runner giving drugs to club goers and then giving the money to the supplier.  He is keeping none of the money for himself.  Adam decides that the best thing is to come clean to the police, rather than let Rob become involved by innuendo.  Rob plans to visit his brother in jail, but Adam doesn’t want that.

Written in crisp prose, with believable characters and up-to-date references, this cross between a short story and short novel will appeal to teens.  It shows how easily unsuspecting teens can slip into illegal activities that can lead to jail.  The story is presented in a straightforward style without being preachy.  This will hold the attention of readers.

Drug Dealing-Fiction                                       --Joan Theal

Van Tol, Alex. Shallow Grave.

Van Tol, Alex.    Shallow Grave. (Orca Sounding series)     Orca  131p  $9.95     

978-1-4598-0202-5       2012    ms/hs   VG    Mystery/Detective

This page-turning suspense thriller is sure to appeal to young-adult readers.  Shannon is involved in a prank that involves hiding the principal’s car in the woods.  Elliot tries to help her when the car accidentally rolls onto her foot and is accused of being involved in the prank as well.  The pair is sentenced to clean out the old school boathouse as their punishment.

As they begin to clean things up, they find suspicious items in the boathouse, and strange, scary things begin to happen.  Shannon makes a Ouija board and the pair begin to ask it questions.  However, when Shannon and Elliott decide they have had enough and it is time to leave, a force locks them in the boathouse until all of the questions have been asked and answered, and the mystery is solved.

Alex Van Tol has created a thrilling short novel that fits well within the high-interest, lower-reading-level confines of the Orca Soundings series.  This fast-paced mystery is sure to delight young-adult and reluctant readers.

Murder-Fiction                                       --Virginia McGarvey

Ryan, Darlene. Cuts Like A Knife.

Ryan, Darlene.    Cuts Like A Knife.  Orca  109p  $9.95     978-1-4598-0119-6

hs    Series: Orca Soundings    VG  Conflict  

Mac is tough, no-nonsense and quirky.  That’s why Daniel loves her.  He just can’t tell her that.  But when Mac goes missing, Daniel is afraid that this time, he will not find her alive.  

Strong characters and a twisting plot make this novel one the reader will not be able to put down.  From the tense relationship of friends Daniel and Mac, to her secretive home life, to the animosity of her friends, there is always the sense that something is wrong.  Mac begins sleeping in empty classrooms at night.  Her grandmother has died, and slowly she begins giving away her prized possessions.  Her last gift is her own body, a night of sex with Daniel, after which she disappears.  Then Daniel remembers friends whom she has abandoned, like one who had told a teacher that Mac was self-mutilating.  And now she has left him, and he fears the worst.  The climax finds Daniel’s resourceful mother following him, as he finds Mac hanging from a pipe.  With his mother’s help, Daniel saves her by doing CPR.  Her final words are “Why didn’t you let me die?” 

There is no happy ending here, but the reader will feel that there may be hope.  Realistic, well-drawn characters, a compelling plot and an appropriate ending make this a engaging read.  However, the sexual one-night-stand will dictate that this book is for older readers only.  Orca Soundings continues to create realistic, engrossing reads that appeal to reluctant readers, but can be enjoyed by any young adult.  This should prove to be a popular addition to any young adult collection.       

Suicide–Fiction, Friendship, Realistic fiction              -- Pat Naismith  

Choyce, Lesley. Breaking Point.

Choyce, Lesley.   Breaking Point.   Orca  124p  $9.95 978-1-4598-0128-8       ms/hs Orca Soundings    VG    Survival   

For his latest breaking-and-entering conviction, Cameron chooses an outdoor wilderness program off the coast of Nova Scotia as his punishment instead of a standard juvenile detention facility.  There he meets Brianna, who was convicted for selling drugs at her school.  Brianna convinces Cameron to join her in an escape plan in which they steal two kayaks and head to Canada.

As the two prepare for their escape, they learn of an impending hurricane headed their way.  Undaunted by the warning, they take off into the storm’s dangerous path and soon face strong winds, heavy rains and raging waters.  Their escape rapidly turns into a journey for survival.

As the adventure unfolds, Lesley Choyce takes the reader on the two teens’ physical and emotional journey as their priorities change from escape to survival.  The reader really feels the urgency and sense of danger that the characters encounter.  As their plan for survival plays out, the author then takes the reader on the thrilling ethical path that the pair travels to determine whether they will continue with their escape plan or seek rescue and return to incarceration.

The short story is fast-paced and well written, and it will appeal to many young and reluctant readers.  The entertaining and engaging plot allows the reader to experience difficult situations and the consequences of the choices the characters have made.

This book is one in the Orca Soundings series.  The series currently consists of 19 titles whose common theme is troubled or at-risk adolescents, the choices they make, and the ensuing consequences.  This book is recommended for young and reluctant readers. It is recommended as an essential book for middle-school and high-school libraries.   

Prison – Fiction, Severe weather – Fiction, Survival – Fiction, Realistic fiction                                             -- Virginia McGarvey