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
- Table View
- List View
Mikayla's Victory
by Cynthia BatesMikayla is excited and flattered when she's asked to represent her Ottawa school in the pentathlon at an upcoming track meet. As a good, all-round athlete she could do well in the event' s five different sports--all but one, that is. Mikayla's high jump is weak, and she's competing against Amelie, last year's high jump gold medalist. Mikayla is convinced that Amelie is the better athlete, and her spirits sink. But as she soon learns, success depends on more than the outcome of a single event. "Mikayla's Victory" is a lively story that explores the connections between self-confidence and success.
Out of Sight
by Robert RaynerLinh-Mai has always admired the acrobatic moves of her soccer teams goalie -- Flyin' Brian. But her admiration becomes concern when an eye disease causes Brian to start losing his vision. She's determined to help Brian keep playing for as long as possible. But as his eyesight continues to deteriorate, it becomes clear that, to be a true friend, Linh-Mai must help Brian accept that some things are going to change.
The Bonemender's Choice (Bonemender #3) (Orca Books)
by Holly BennettIn this third volume of the Bonemender series, Dominic's children are kidnapped, but before they can be sold into slavery, a deadly plague strikes.
Absolute Pressure
by Sigmund BrouwerIan has been going to Key West every summer for years, helping his Uncle Gord at his dive shop and spending as much time as he can underwater. When he's not diving, he's admiring Sherri, the girl who works at the dive shop, and wondering how she would feel if he told her that he tastes blackberries whenever he sees her. A series of accidents leads Ian to believe that his uncle is in grave danger, but the truth is more complicated and terrifying than he could ever have imagined.
Down (Orca Soundings)
by Norah McclintockAfter serving time for assault, Remy must learn to control his anger.
The Whirlwind (Orca Books)
by Carol MatasBen flees Nazi Germany only to find himself in a battle for his life and his soul.
A Tale Of Two Cities (An Adapted Classic)
by Charles Dickens"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . . " With these famous words, Charles Dickens plunges the reader into the French Revolution. From the storming of the Bastille to the relentless drop of the guillotine, Dickens vividly captures the terror and upheaval of that tumultuous period. At the center is the novel's hero, Sydney Carton, a lazy, alcoholic attorney who, inspired by a woman, makes the supreme sacrifice. One of Dickens's most exciting novels. A Tale of Two Cities is a stirring classic of love, revenge, and redemption. Note: The classic novel has been adapted to utilize shorter sentences and simpler vocabulary. Unusual words are footnoted and defined at the bottom of the pages. There are study questions at the end of the book. Illustrations have been described.
Off the Wall
by Camilla Reghelini RiversIndoor soccer is what Lizzie does best. At school other kids bug her and her teacher thinks she' s a troublemaker, but during a game she feels focused, free. Lately, however, her younger sister Shelby has taken up the game. Shelby' s a nice kid, but she leads a charmed life--she copies everything Lizzie does, then does it better. Soon Shelby is a soccer star and her team is challenging Lizzie' s in tournament play. When the girls are pitted against each other on the field, hurt feelings fuel a brutal competition, with dangerous results. "Off the Wall" shows the difficulty of acknowledging the best qualities in those we love, and in ourselves.
Breathing Not Required
by Michele Martin BossleyGracie and her friend Laura are both on the synchronized swim team in their hometown of Cochrane, Alberta. Gracie is focused and hard-working, eager to be chosen for a solo. Laura is more relaxed about synchro, wanting above all to enjoy the sport. As the swim meet nears, these different approaches strain their friendship and threaten the success of the team itself. Lively and good humored, "Breathing Not Required" is a novel about competition, jealousy, and the importance of friendship.
Mud Happens
by Bill SwanMatt and his teammates are disappointed when their favourite track coach can no longer lead the school team. But, their new coach is from the Riders dream team of elite athletes who have the potential to become "real" runners.
Treason in Eswy (The Warlocks of Talverdin #2) (Orca Books)
by K. V. JohansenIn this second volume of the Warlocks of Talverdin series, Maurey, the Nightwalker prince, helps young Princess Eleanor combat a plot by her enemies to take over the kingdom.
Exposure
by Patricia MurdochJulie is tired of being tormented at school, tired of not fitting in and being the butt of jokes. When her brother brings home a camera with images of her chief tormentor in a compromising situation, she sees a way to level the playing field. When her attempt at turning the tables goes wrong, she is left even more on the outside and struggling to do the right thing. Also available in Spanish.
The Haunting of Drang Island (Orca Books)
by Arthur G. SladeThe Haunting of Drang Island is a modern retelling of Old Norse and Icelandic myths. It combines all the best elements of the sagas: strong heroes, powerful enemies and a fast-paced story so full of detail it becomes entirely believable.
Dog Days
by Becky CitraBrady is a dreadful card player and he doesn't like dogs. His mother has moved him across the country to be near to his grandfather who insists on playing (and winning) endless games of Crazy Eights and whose ornery, ancient dog makes Brady's life miserable. Abra, next door, is nice to him, but she dresses like a witch and she's a girl. The only way that Brady can see to make real friends in his new home is to enter the upcoming dog show, but how is he going to do that without a dog?
Lockdown
by Diane TullsonSome 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.
Alecia's Challenge
by Sandra DierschAlecia's soccer team, the Vancouver Burrards, is the one stable thing in her life. Everything else is new or changing: a new school, a new stepfather. When Anne, Alecia's friend and the Burrards' best player, decides to quit playing, Alecia decides to fight to keep the team together. She soon learns, however, that life's hardest matches are fought off the soccer pitch. Alecia's Challenge shows how the struggles and joys of life and sport are intertwined.
Out of Bounds
by Sylvia GunneryJay Hirtle plays on the basketball team at Richmond Academy in a small rural Nova Scotian town. The team to beat is Centreville, where star player Mike Murphy is seen as Richmond's number one opponent. After the Hirtle house is destroyed by fire, Jay's family moves in with his grandfather and the kids must switch schools until the end of the school year. Jay has a choice: give up a basketball season, or play alongside his former enemy on the Centreville team.
Hit Squad
by James HeneghanThis is Mickey's first year at Grandview High. After transferring, all he wants to do is keep his head down, work hard and fit in with the upscale crowd. He is approached, because of his tough reputation, to join a group of students to take back the school from the bullies. Mickey finds himself caught up in a shadowy world of violence and retribution. When their planned payback goes horribly wrong, Mickey is forced to acknowledge the thin line between victim and victimizer.
Goon Squad
by Michele Martin BossleyJason's rough moves on the ice nearly got him kicked out of the hockey league, but he's learned to keep his aggression in check. Now he's on an elite team and his new coach is pressuring him to return to his old ways. If he doesn't toughen up, he might lose his spot on the team. But if he starts playing dirty, he could get kicked out of the league. Jason finds himself fighting to play fair in this exciting and often comic sequel to Power Play and Danger Zone.
Wild Ride
by Jacqueline GuestIn this sequel to "Lightning Rider", January and her family have taken in an RCMP summer student as a border. When Willow Whitecloud pulls up on her Kawasaki ZX-10R, January takes an instant liking to her. Willow becomes both a friend and a spiritual guide, who helps January connect with her Native heritage. But January is shocked when a number of clues suggest that her mentor may be involved in illegal activity that threatens the natural world she has taught January to respect.
Rules for Life
by Darlene RyanWhen her mother died two years earlier, Izzy thought the world would change in some identifiable way, but it didn't. It didn't even slow down. Along with constantly watching her brother, Jason, to ensure he didn't repeat his involvement with drugs, Izzy has managed to get through school and the rest of her life using her mother's endless "rules" as guidance, even making up some of her own as she goes along. When her father starts dating again and then decides to get married, Izzy is unprepared. She is convinced she will hate this intruder in her ordered life and is certain that their family is complete as it is. When her father's new girlfriend becomes pregnant, and her health is threatened, Izzy finds that there might just be room in her family for Anne. And while trying to save her brother and stay true to the "rules," Izzy realizes that family involves more than blood and that rules aren't always absolute. A touching, often funny, story of love and acceptance, Rules for Life is a reminder that while we can't choose the family we are born with, we can choose the people we take along for the ride.
Shapeshifter
by Holly BennettThis is the turbulent and heartbreaking story of Sive, a girl of the Otherworld who must flee her world of plenty to live as a hunted beast. Surviving hardship, danger and crushing loneliness, she finally finds refuge -- and unexpected joy -- with a mortal champion, Finn Mac Cumhail, the great hero of Irish legend. But Sive's ordeal is far from over. She has a gift the Dark Man craves, and the smallest misstep will give him his chance to snatch her away from all she holds dear. Set in the wild, magical landscape of Iron Age Ireland, Shapeshifter is a tale of rapacious evil, quiet courage and the healing power of love.
See No Evil
by Diane YoungWhen Shawn and Daniel witness a gang beating behind the local mall they flee the scene, terrified that they've been seen. They recognize one of the attackers as a locally infamous gang member. When they learn that the kid who was attacked is in critical condition, Shawn wants to go to the police, but Daniel convinces him that they are in more danger if they speak up. The threats they receive from other members of the gang reinforce the boys' fears. When the gang attacks Daniel, Shawn has to put his own safety at risk to help his friend.
On the Game
by Monique PolakThere's nothing more exciting than being young and in love -- especially when the object of your affection is an older guy who showers you with gifts and attention. But when Yolande's new boyfriend, Etienne, asks her to go on a date with another guy, it becomes clear that his love comes at a terrible price. Inspired by true events, On the Game follows one ordinary girl on an extraordinary journey into the dark world of teenage prostitution.