Final Crossing.

Rodman, Sean.  Final Crossing.  Orca      2014  107p  $9.95 ISBN 978-1-4598-0552-1  ms/hs      Realistic fiction, Hi-lo   VG   

Will and Big O are brothers and best friends.  Having learned robbery techniques from their currently-imprisoned father, the boys have survived by stealing from others.  The pair decides to clean up their act and go to live with their respectable uncle, but they need a hundred dollars to get there.  In the duo’s final heist to raise this money, they plan to steal loose change out of cars being transported on a ferry while the unaware owners are on the upper decks.  As they pick locks on various cars and count their money, they come upon a van from which strange noises are coming.  When Will picks the lock, he discovers a kidnapping victim, a girl. Action and suspense build and build as the boys try to help the girl escape while evading the authorities because of their own activities.

This Hi/Lo novel will resonate well with young, struggling and reluctant readers.  The action begins on the first page and does not end until the last.  Written at a lower reading level, the text will not intimidate readers.  The plot is exciting and well written.

Summary: Determined to change their criminal behaviors and go to live with their uncle, brothers and best friends Will and Big O plan one last heist, robbing cars on a ferry, when they stumble upon a kidnapping victim.
           

Brothers-Fiction, Crime-Fiction                       --Virginia McGarvey

Rodman, Sean. Night Terrors.

Rodman, Sean.  Night Terrors.  Orca  2013  128p  ISBN 978-1-4598-0420-3 ms/hs  Paperback  VG-BN     

There is a palpitation and adrenaline rush to this book that will push young readers to read it in one sitting!  Although the idea of having a bully for a boss is not new, nor is the idea of a dead family member rising from the grave to support a survivor through a struggle, the plot contains other ins and outs that are thrilling.  When protagonist Dylan pairs up with the reclusive Josh at their summer job, they must figure out why weird events are happening all around them.  All Dylan knows is that it was inhumane of their boss, Edward, to push Josh to swim the cold lake to retrieve the raft for the winter.  When Josh nearly drowns, the rising action begins!  Does Edward have anything to do with the bones Dylan finds in the woods?  Does he have anything to do with the ransacked cabin?  Dylan constantly sees images that he can’t determine to be real or imaginary.  His brother’s red jacket haunts him.  The action is fast-moving and exciting.  We can literally feel Dylan’s tenuous emotional state when he decides to run off into a snowy, treacherous night to try to find help.  The resolution is eerie; the outcome, insane.  Teen readers will love this Orca!  The only criticism is that the reader will finish the book too quickly!   Please note the grammatical errors on pages 57 and 119.  In both cases, the reader should see “Josh and me” instead of “Josh and I.”  The objective case is needed.  Middle-school and high-school libraries will want to stock this book!  It won’t stay on the shelf!       

Summary: Dylan witnessed the death of his brother and hasn’t come to terms with his grief.  In this thriller laced with some supernatural elements, Dylan mistrusts his boss, a “mad” man at a summer camp where he works, and he must figure out whether his fears are reasonable.

Horror-Fiction, Bullying-Fiction                            --Martha Squaresky

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

Rodman, Sean. Infiltration.

Rodman, Sean.  Infiltration.  Orca, 2011. 128p. $9.95 ISBN 9781554699858      ms/jr VG-BN      

     Bex can infiltrate any place he wants: the more dangerous it is, the better the challenge. He is legendary for entering condemned buildings and taking pictures, then posting the pictures on his web site. Up to now his motto has been "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."  There isn’t a building he isn't willing to break into, but he never takes anything from the buildings except photos.  He is very proud of his work and he is very good at it.
     Then a new student, Keiran, comes to Bex's school and is impressed with his work. Bex befriends him and, although he feels that Kevin is a little edgy, they still seem to be able to hit it off. Keiran is into breaking into buildings too, but he takes it one step further and takes things from the buildings.
     All is well until Keiran presents Bex with a project: entering a building with the intent of stealing from it. Bex is confronted with the question of honesty. His motto of “Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints” is in danger of becoming a false statement. Then he discovers that the project is much more dangerous than he thought and death might be the end result.
Subject:  Responsibility     

Magna Diaz