Special Collections
High Interest Y. A. Novels
Description: High Interest, Low Vocabulary books are for teenagers looking to advance their reading capabilities. Perfect for emerging teen readers. #teens
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Million-Dollar Throw
by Mike LupicaWhat would you do with a million dollars, if you were 13? Nate Brodie is nicknamed "Brady" not only for his arm, but also because he's the biggest Tom Brady fan. He's even saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he does, he wins the chance for something he's never dreamed of-to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game for one million dollars. Nate should be excited. But things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his family is losing their home. It's no secret that a million dollars would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure, and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind, slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves most-paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate's inspiration. He knows she'll be there when he makes the throw of a lifetime. Mike Lupica's latest sports novel is also his most heartwarming.
Crush (Orca Books)
by Carrie MacHope, the daughter of hippies and raised on a commune, goes to spend the summer in New York while her parents are in Thailand. She meets a girl, has a crush on her, and questions whether she is a lesbian or just going through a phase.
Boost
by Kathy MackelThirteen-year-old Savvy is six two and full of raw basketball talent; her three-point shot is deadly. But she’s also skinny and gets pushed around on the court. Her older sister, Callie, is a freshman on varsity cheerleading, but she’s not quite light enough to be a flier—her coveted position. Both girls need to boost their level of competition to get off the bench and into the action. When steroids are found in Savvy’s gym bag, she claims they are not hers. Suddenly, accusations are flying and nobody knows who is telling the truth. When it comes to competitive sports, no one is exempt from being offered a boost. Read Kathy Mackel's posts on the Penguin Blog. .
The Burning Time (Orca Books)
by Carol MatasAfter her father's sudden death, fifteen-year-old Rose Rives' mother is accused of being a witch, and Rose discovers that sixteenth-century France is a dangerous place for women.
The Whirlwind (Orca Books)
by Carol MatasBen flees Nazi Germany only to find himself in a battle for his life and his soul.
FastBack Beach
by Shirlee S. MathesonOn probation for car theft, Miles has to stand up to his friends and do the right thing. ( Orca Soundings)
Back
by Norah McclintockJojo'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.
Back
by Norah Mcclintock"Back" chronicles the story of Jojo-- an ex-thug -- who has just returned home after serving a two year prison sentence. Despite having reformed, his neighborhood seals itself off from Jojo. But this time, real justive will be done -- even if it involves violence...
Orca Soundings
Bang
by Norah McclintockAfter a robbery goes terribly wrong, Quentin is framed for murder.
(Orca Soundings)
Caged
by Norah McclintockEven if Kenzie's dog had somehow managed to escape from the family's fenced backyard, Kenzie knows the big, lovable chocolate Lab wouldn't have gone far. As they search for Clancy, Kenzie and his dad keep hearing stories about other dogs that have gone missing too. When Kenzie finds Clancy's ID tag and spots a van loaded up with dog food, he knows he has to investigate further. With the help of a schoolmate whose dog has also disappeared, Kenzie uncovers an illegal operation that grabs dogs off the street and turns them into bloodthirsty killers.
Down (Orca Soundings)
by Norah McclintockAfter serving time for assault, Remy must learn to control his anger.
Marked
by Norah McclintockWhen Colin accepts the job to clean up the graffiti in an upscale neighborhood he worries that he might be targeted by gangs. But he didn't expect to become a suspect in a series of robberies. Every time he is sent to clean up graffiti, the police are nearby investigating a crime. Colin knows he's done nothing wrong, but even he acknowledges his presence at the crime scenes looks suspicious. The only way he can clear his name is to figure out what is really going on.
Out of Tune
by Norah McclintockWhen Alicia, a talented violinist at Riley Donovan's high school, is found bludgeoned to death in a field on the outskirts of town, suspicion immediately falls on Carrie, the teen's musical rival. But Riley isn't convinced of Carrie's guilt, and even though her police-officer aunt tells her to stay out of it, Riley goes searching for the truth. Did Carrie really kill Alicia in a fit of jealous rage, or is there another explanation for Alicia's death?
Snitch
by Norah McclintockJosh had been living in a group home after being ratted out by Scott, his one-time best friend. Now he has moved in with his brother and overbearing sister-in-law and has been sent to a class designed to teach him to deal with his anger. When an old enemy continues to push his buttons and Scott appears to be up to his old tricks, Josh struggles to control his temper. Framed for a crime he didn't commit, it will take all of his new-found strength to keep his cool and his freedom.
Tell (Orca Soundings)
by Norah McclintockHow much does David know about his stepfather's death? (RL4.0)
Guilty
by Norah McClintockFinn watches in horror as his stepmother is gunned down in front of his house. His father reacts and kills the gunman. When Finn learns that the killer is the same man who admitted to killing his birth mother years before, he is shocked and wants to know if this is more than a terrible coincidence. At the police station, he meets Lila, daughter of the killer, and they strike up a wary friendship. Both of them are desperate to find the truth. What they discover hints at a much larger conspiracy.
Watch Me
by Norah McClintockAt first Kaz intends to help the old lady who's fallen in the park. But then he starts thinking about how he never gets what he wants. The next thing he knows, he's running away with her purse. The purse contains only five dollars and a battered watch. When Kaz learns who the old woman is and where the watch came from, he begins to understand consequences in a new way.
Every Move
by Peter McpheeEdgy and suspenseful young adult fiction that explores topics teens want to read about. It begins with a chance encounter: teenage Emily and her friends come to the aid of a stranger who is being bullied by a gang. Emily forgets about the incident, but the young man she helped becomes fixated on her. Only when her real love interest is attacked does she begin to understand that the stranger's interest in her has become a full-blown obsession. Every Move is a realistic but chilling look at this threatening and all-too-common form of harassment.
Out of Time
by Peter McpheeMembers of Eileen's tight-knit circle of friends have made a suicide pact. When her best friend's body is discovered, it's a race against time to find another missing teen and prevent another tragedy. Eileen finds an unexpected ally in Ron, one of a gang of bullies at school who always victimized Eileen's group of "losers. " As Eileen and Ron frantically search, the reasons for the pact and its devastating consequences are revealed.
Runner
by Peter McpheeKyle never expected to see Calgary's hard side--its seedy neighborhoods marked with trash-filled lots, abandoned buildings, abandoned lives. But when his 14-year-old sister Meghan runs away from home, he knows he has to track her down. Soon Kyle discovers a dark world of after-hours clubs, desperate street kids, drugs and violence. As he gradually uncovers clues about Meghan's whereabouts, he realizes that she is in grave danger and his search becomes an urgent race against time. Kyle is willing to do what it takes to save Meghan--but will it be enough? Set against the gritty world of Calgary's inner-city, Runner is a suspenseful story of a brother's love for his troubled sister.
A Way with Horses
by Peter McpheeCaroline grew up around horses and had been a tough, skilled rider as long as she could remember. When she wins a rodeo near her Millarville, Alberta home, the owner of a posh riding school recognizes her talent invites her to learn show jumping, free of charge. Soon she's moving in a different world, full of thoroughbred horses, expensive trainers, and rich, sophisticated students. As Caroline trains to try out for the Jump Alberta Team, however, she learns that success in the show ring comes at a high price, win or lose. A Way with Horses shows how one athlete's ambitions can come into conflict with the complexities of her sport.
Rebound
by Adrienne MercerAll C.J. has ever wanted is to play basketball--one day pro basketball. Already in grade nine she's the captain of her high school team in Naskup, British Columbia. But her success comes at a price: her teammate Debi can't accept someone so young as captain, and is making C.J.'s life as difficult as possible. To make matters much worse, one morning she wakes up and is barely able to get out of bed. When her doctor tells her she has arthritis, she worries whether she deserves to be captain. Recognizing her new limitations, however, she comes to truly understand teamwork, and becomes the leader her coaches knew she could be. Rebound is the story of how one young athlete overcomes adversity to become a better player, and a better person.
Tough Trails
by Irene MorckWhen Ambrose is forced to sell his horse because of an injury, he must find a new animal that can handle the rigors of the mountains while packing for his uncleís trail-riding outfit. To save an old lady's beloved companion from the meat-buyers, Ambrose buys a horse who would be better off in retirement than climbing the treacherous trails of the Rocky Mountains. The horse, Society Girl, almost dies on the trail, and Ambrose realizes she will have to go back to the meat-auction. When Ryan, a misbehaving ten-year-old, takes the horse and disappears into the teeth of a dangerous mountain storm, Ambrose and Janice are forced to work together to find him. Will the young boy and the elderly horse survive a vicious hailstorm? Will Society Girl prove that she has a future? Will Ambrose be able to save the old horse from certain death?
The Solstice Cup
by Rachel Dunstan MullerOn a visit to Ireland, twin sisters are lured into the "Otherworld," where a dangerous enchantment threatens to separate them.