Orca Soundings
Key Selling Points A young artist is thrilled to be accepted at a prestigious art school but then learns that some feel she hasn't earned her place. This book explores the themes of racism, prejudice and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. There is a demand for stories that offer an Indigenous perspective on teenage struggles. Melanie Florence's book, Missing Nimâmâ, was the winner of the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and most recently, Stolen Words won the 2018 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Award and is short-listed for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. Dreaming in Color is a companion novel to the bestselling He Who Dreams (the main character is John's sister). Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
Beverly is in Hawaii, helping her uncle at his dive shop, learning how to dive and trying to lose weight and get a boyfriend. When Garth, an accomplished diver, shows an interest in her, Beverly is ecstatic, until it turns out Garth is only interested in one thing. Struggling with failing strength from her self-imposed starvation diet, Beverly finds herself in deep trouble when she has to fight Garth off underwater. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! Available in Spanish as Respira.
Evie was pregnant and forced to give up the baby. But Evie can't just leave the child with strangers, especially when she thinks the baby is being neglected. With her boyfriend waiting in the truck, Evie snatches the baby and convinces him to drive her to Montreal where she plans to start a new life with her child. But when the baby won't eat and she and Justin argue, she ends up alone in a small town. As the baby becomes sicker, Evie must decide whether to admit her mistake and turn herself in, or to keep running. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! Also available in Spanish as De nadie más.
Bex is into "urban exploration"-going where he's not supposed to go. Bex has always done it just for fun and bragging rights, taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but footprints. He has explored almost every abandoned building and tunnel in the city. But that changes when a new kid arrives at school. Kieran is edgy, dangerous and into urban exploration as well. Together, they start pushing each other to radical extremes. When Kieran pitches a plan that involves taking more than just pictures, Bex has a decision to make. Where will he draw the line, and how far will he follow Kieran? This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read!
Jill took a job which sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. Jill didn't realize that the money was terrible, the hours long and the coworkers insufferable. After a blow-up with her boss, she takes a single man into the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! Available in Spanish as A punta de Cuchillo.
Some days it's just easier not to go to school at all. Adam has been slacking off lately, but today he stuck around to see his girlfriend. When Josh, who has been bullied mercilessly, brings a gun to school, the building is locked down and Adam is forced to risk everything to save himself and to find Zoe before Josh does. Calling on reserves he didn't know he had, Adam could end up a hero-or a victim. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read!
Jojo's back, released from jail, and people are tense and afraid all over again. They wonder if his friends will start showing up again. They wonder if they'll be walking down the street one day and they'll run into Jojo and Jojo will give them attitude or shove them around, just for fun. Jojo's friends have a way of making it hard-really hard-on people who decide to press charges against Jojo. Those people just wish Jojo would go away and never come back. Then there are the people who have hate in their hearts. These people wish something bad would happen to Jojo. Something really bad. Ardell Withrow is one of those people. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Available in Spanish as El regreso.
Key Selling Points The author has written many books in the Orca Soundings line, including Overdrive and Tagged. Eric Walters founded the I Read Canadian Day movement, and the day is now celebrated annually on February 17th. Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
What does Ethan know? And what is on his camera that someone is willing to kill for? Ethan lives in a foster home, struggling to put his life on the right track. Involved in a photography program for at-risk kids, he finds himself threatened again and again by someone who wants his camera. Struggling to stay out of trouble and solve the mystery, he discovers he has all the answers. He just has to figure out the questions. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! Available in French as En images.
Jay, Kelvin and Cia are The Lunar Ticks, a dedicated band who are convinced they are on their way up. They hope to win an upcoming battle of the bands where the first prize is a full day in a recording studio. Jay is struggling to write new material but finds he lacks the experience to come up with a truly original song. Going up against Indigo Daze, a band from another school, Jay finds himself falling for Rowan, the leader of the other band. When Rowan's guitar is trashed right before the contest The Lunar Ticks are the prime suspects. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Available in Spanish as La guerra de las bandas.
Bobbie Jo didn't set out to buy a limping blue roan mare-she wanted a colt she could train to barrel race. But the horse is a fighter, just like Bobbie Jo. Now all she has to do is train the sour old mare that obviously has a past. While she nurses the horse back to health, Bobbie Jo realizes that the horse, now called Blue Moon, may have more history than she first thought. With the help of the enigmatic Cole, she slowly turns the horse into a barrel racer. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read!
Key Selling Points Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
Miles Derkach is in trouble. Along with two friends, Miles stole a car and went joyriding. When the dust clears, he is all alone and his friends have left, leaving him to take the blame-and the punishment-while maintaining his silence. Placed on probation and sentenced to community service, Miles begins working for a man who after suffering a stroke and not being able to drive, has kept his beloved hot rod under wraps in the garage. Seeing a chance to learn more about cars and pursue his dream of becoming a mechanic, Miles helps to restore the car. When the hot rod is stolen and Miles is the prime suspect, he realizes that he must confront his friends and stand up for himself. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.