Allin, Lou. Contingency Plan.

Allin, Lou.  Contingency Plan.  Orca/Raven (Rapid Reads series)   130p $9.95  978-1-4598-011401 2012  hs/adult (Grades 10+)      VG    Conflict   

The Rapid Reads series provides easy-to-read vocabulary with suspenseful plots for adult readers. This book featuring a 12-year-old daughter may appeal to high-school students as well.  When Sandra and her daughter find themselves wooed by Joe, a wealthy attorney, they fall under his spell.  But once Sandra marries Joe, his darker side emerges, showing a controlling, physically abusive and manipulative man who is stealing from his elderly clients to support his lavish lifestyle.  Realizing that she needs to get away, Sandra crafts a secret plan that will allow her and her daughter to flee to a north woods, off-the-grid cabin.  Only by using her wits is Sandra able to survive very harsh conditions, as well as plot a way to lead Joe to his death, should he show up at the cabin.  This is a quick read that is high in suspense.  Will readers consider Sandra’s plan to kill Joe justifiable?  Does Joe get what he deserves?  This book is not for those who ponder ethics and the consequences of our actions; it is instead an adrenaline-filled race to the finish.  It is perfect for ESL readers, reluctant readers, or adult readers who want a quick read that is under 150 pages.

Abusive husbands-Fiction                                    --Lois McNicol

Warsh, Sylvia Maultash. Best Girl.

Warsh, Sylvia Maultash.  Best Girl.  Orca/Raven  121p  $9.95      978-1-55469-897-4 hs    Series: Rapid Reads(Orca/Raven)      VG    Realistic fiction

Amanda Moss feels her whole life has been a lie.  Her parents did not die in a car crash, but her mother has died in prison, where she was living since being sentenced for killing Amanda’s father.  But did she do it?  Amanda must find out the truth.

Best Girl is an adoption story, a murder mystery, and a book about the road to self-discovery.  What Amanda’s adoptive mother Shelley wanted was her career as a hairdresser.  But Amanda yearns for a career in music.  When a stranger appears with a guitar, and the story that her dead birth mother was unjustly imprisoned for killing her father, Amanda’s view of the world abruptly changes.  In her search to find the truth, she encounters new friends, frightening circumstances, and the stunning truth.  This novel is well written, even with the controlled vocabulary, and it features believable characters, a taut plot, and a satisfying ending.  It is a quick read and a book the reader will not be able to put down.  

This volume is part of the Rapid Reads series.  There are 25 volumes in the series at this time.  The series serves to provide short, easy-to-read novels for adults and young adults with literacy and/or reading difficulties.  Best Girl is recommended for high-school students with reading difficulties.  These high-interest, very low-reading-level titles will appeal to challenged readers.

Mystery, Murder-Fiction, Suspense, Hi-lo books              -- Pat Naismith  

Kowalski, William. Something Noble.

Kowalski, William.      Something Noble.  Orca/Raven  116p  $9.95

978-1-4598-0013-7       hs    Series: Rapid Reads(Orca/Raven)     VG         

Linda has faced many difficulties since getting pregnant at 16, but she has persevered and raised her two sons well.  Now Dre, the older son, needs a kidney transplant.  Her quest to find a donor takes her to prison and back, but she continues to hope.  Then she finds the only match -- his recently-discovered half-brother, LaVon, a drug dealer who robbed Linda at knifepoint. 

The story line and conclusion are simple and predictable.  The text is structured and uses repetitive and familiar words.  The reading level is third grade, but the subject matter and characters are for the mature teen.  Curse words are non-existent or minimal.  The main characters are well-drawn and sympathetic, while the ancillary characters are more stereotypical.  With an eye-catching cover, this is a quick read, and will appeal to reluctant readers.

This volume is part of the Rapid Reads series.  There are 25 volumes in the series at this time.  The focus of the series is to provide short, easy-to-read novels for adults and young adults with literacy and/or reading difficulties.

The book is recommended for high-school students with reading difficulties.  These high-interest, very low-reading-level titles will appeal to challenged readers.

Realistic fiction, Hi-lo books                              -- Pat Naismith