Category Archives: Hi-Low/Quick Read

“Knifepoint”

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Victoria Waddle

Knifepoint by Alex Van Tol In a very short book, Van Tol has done a great job of telling a story of suspense, of getting into the mind of a crazed killer. Jill is working on a mountain ranch for … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, hi-low reading, horseback riding, horses, murder, Orca Soundings Series, psychopaths in fiction, reluctant readers, serial killers, wilderness survival, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“How to Lose Everything”

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Victoria Waddle

How to Lose Everything: A Mostly True Story by Philipp Mattheis Sam, Eric, Schulz, and Jonathan are four friends living in a surburb of Munich, Germany. They mostly hang out at the skateboard park, a group of lost boys, adrift. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Mature Readers, Young Adult Literature | Tagged abandoned houses, conduct of life, drugs, ethics, friendship, Germany, hi-low reading, high school students, Read 180, teenage boys, theft, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Revenge of the Witch” (First in The Last Apprentice series)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Victoria Waddle

Revenge of the Witch (First in The Last Apprentice series) by Joseph Delaney Tom Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son—so he occupies something of a magical position in life. Unfortunately, he needs to secure an apprenticeship, and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, hi-low reading, horror, Joseph Delaney Tom Ward, Read 180, scary stories, seventh son of a seventh son, The Last Apprentice series, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Responsible”

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Responsible by Darlene Ryan I know everyone is focused on finals and the winter break. Study hard and then then relax with a good book over the holidays! I’m thinking about the Read 180 classes because they are the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Tagged bullying, hi-low reading, Orca Soundings Series, Read 180, sexual assault, sexual harrassment | Leave a comment

“Out”

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Out by Sandra Diersch Late one night, Alex is about to pull out of a gas station parking lot when he sees shadowy figures across the lot. As he leaves, his car headlights show that the couple in the shadows … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, Catholics, gay teens, hi-low reading, homosexuality, infidelity, Read 180, religious hypocrisy, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Wonder”

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Wonder by R. J. Palacio Augustine—Auggie—Pullman has been homeschooled all his life, but for fifth grade, he is going to go to a private middle school. He’s smart enough, but he’s anxious. This will be the first time he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, bullying, children's fiction, children's literature, genetic deformities, genetic disorders, hi-low reading, high school students, middle school, YA fiction, YA literature | 2 Comments

“Reaction”

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Reaction by Lesley Choyce Ashley drops the bomb on Zach—she’s pregnant and doesn’t know what to do. At first they try to figure things out together, but their fear and anger cause them to pull apart. Ashley is so … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, hi-low reading, Orca Soundings Series, Read 180, teen fathers, teen mothers, teen pregnancy, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Bang”

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Bang by Norah McClintock “Act normal? The guy died, and JD wants me to act normal?” Quentin—‘Q’—thinks he’s going to have the usual day with his friend JD. Q thinks about asking JD’s sister Leah out. He thinks about hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, crime, criminals in literature, hi-low reading, juvenile delinquents, murder, Orca Soundings Series, Read 180, reluctant readers, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Picture This”

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Picture This by Norah McClintock Ethan is living in his second foster home when he is enrolled in Picture This is a program for troubled teens. He’s learning photography skills and he’s good at it—creative and serious. So when … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, foster children, gangs, hi-low reading, mystery, Orca Soundings Series, reluctant readers, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Sports: “Game”

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Game by Walter Dean Myers “In a way it was like a bunch of guys in a game. They were falling behind every minute that passed, but they had lost interest in the score. It was as if … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged basketball, book reviews, hi-low reading, reluctant readers, sports, Walter Dean Myers, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment