April 1, 2013
Gr 7 Up-These titles feature well-intentioned teens in tough situations. In Coming Clean, Rob's golden opportunity to pursue his passion for music leads to unintentional involvement with drug deals and the death of a friend due to an Ecstasy overdose. Dead Run focuses on Sam, who loves bike racing. His gig as a bicycle courier becomes more than he bargained for when his boss asks him to deliver secret packages to a sketchy location. In Shallow Grave, Elliot is wrongly accused of a prank and ends up cleaning an old boathouse with a female classmate as punishment. The spirit of a deceased teen speaks to them through a Ouija board, and they struggle to untangle her messages. All three protagonists are unquestionably good people; their choices are what get them in trouble. Brief, current, and fast paced, these books will be enjoyed by reluctant teen readers.-Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI
Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2012
Grades 6-9 Sam has the grit and determination needed to make it in the competitive world of bicycle road racing, but he needs a coach. A tip leads him to Viktor Lubyenko, a former Olympic gold medalist who runs a bicycle courier business. In a moment of serendipity, Viktor finds himself in need of a messenger, and Sam, anxious to prove his cycling abilities, volunteers to become a courier. Soon, though, Sam finds himself making mysterious and seemingly sinister deliveries. This title in the Orca Soundings line for struggling readers features short, punchy sentences, brisk character development, and a touch of romance. The emphasis is on the thrill of bicycle racing and being a courier. Readers, particularly those who enjoy action novels, will like the fast pace and vivid descriptions, including scenes of Sam dodging perilous traffic. The only misstep is the cover art, which features a mountain bike tire rather than the typical road tire used by bicycle couriers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2013
Sam [cf2]says[cf1] he'll do anything to be a champion cyclist, but his actions and attitude belie his words. He gets one last chance when a former Olympic racer agrees to coach him and gives him a job as a courier. The fast-paced, action-packed plot and tight, concise writing will likely lure--and keep the attention of--the reluctant readers this series targets.
(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)