Alex Riders Vergangenheit: eine einzige Lüge. Seine Zukunft: liegt in den Händen des MI6. Denn als jüngster Agent aller Zeiten ist er Englands stärkste Geheimwaffe.

*** Band 1 der Bestseller-Reihe ALEX RIDER – die Vorlage zur actiongeladenen TV-Serie! ***

Als Alex Rider vom Tod seines Onkels erfährt, spürt er sofort, dass die Polizei ihm etwas verheimlicht. Er stellt Nachforschungen an – bis ihn der MI6 in sein Hauptquartier zitiert. Und ihm die Wahrheit sagt. Sein Onkel war Geheimagent und hat einen ungelösten Fall hinterlassen: Stormbreaker. Jemand will Englands Schulen attackieren. Und Alex ist der Einzige, der dies noch verhindern kann …

Weitere Bücher der „Alex Rider“-Reihe:

• Band 1: Stormbreaker

• Band 2: Gemini-Project

• Band 3: Skeleton Key

• Band 4: Eagle Strike

• Band 5: Scorpia

• Band 6: Ark Angel

• Band 7: Snakehead

• Band 8: Crocodile Tears

• Band 9: Scorpia Rising

• Band 10: Steel Claw

• Vorgeschichte: Russian Roulette

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Schulausflüge sind harmlos? Nicht für Superagent Alex Rider. Kaum hat er mit seinen Mitschülern ein hochmodernes Genlabor betreten, beginnt seine nächste gefährliche Mission.

*** Band 8 der Bestseller-Reihe ALEX RIDER – die Vorlage zur actiongeladenen TV-Serie! ***

Alex Rider wäre gern ein ganz normaler Jugendlicher. Doch egal, wohin er geht, er zieht das Verbrechen magisch an. Als er in einem Genlabor auf McCain trifft, den millionenschweren Gründer einer Hilfsorganisation, schrillen bei ihm alle Alarmglocken. Was plant der angesehene Geschäftsmann? Alex heftet sich an seine Fersen, aber dann wird er entführt und nach Afrika verschleppt. Seine Aussichten, dort lebend wegzukommen: nahezu null.

Weitere Bücher der „Alex Rider“-Reihe:

• Band 1: Stormbreaker

• Band 2: Gemini-Project

• Band 3: Skeleton Key

• Band 4: Eagle Strike

• Band 5: Scorpia

• Band 6: Ark Angel

• Band 7: Snakehead

• Band 8: Crocodile Tears

• Band 9: Scorpia Rising

• Band 10: Steel Claw

• Vorgeschichte: Russian Roulette

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How often do you get to see a car tipped or stores looted? Seventeen-year-old Daniel gets caught up in a post-game riot, and then he and his best friend escape police by breaking into a store. They only intend to cut through to the alley, but rioters follow and trash the place. Daniel prevents an arsonist from torching the store; the next day he's a hero while his friend is outed as a rioter. Can Daniel save face, and will it cost him his friend?

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"Tullson skillfully navigates themes of forgiveness, mob mentality, and redemption, in this short but poignant addition to the Orca Soundings book series. Riot Act is the story of young people caught up in events beyond their control, but who must take responsibility both for what they did—no matter how small in relation to the misdeeds of others—and what they did not do. The events are told realistically, mirroring the actual events of the Vancouver post-game riots in 2011, with text even describing images in newspapers and actual recorded events...A fast-paced, plausible, and satisfying read that teens will likely enjoy and learn from."

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"The pace moves along quickly, the sentences are short, and the characters are realistic...The writing is terse but lyrical, easy to read and compelling."

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"Inspired by the 2011 Stanley Cup riot in Vancouver, this slim Orca Soundings volume raises hefty questions about human nature...Tullson punctuates the action-packed drama with short, spare narration that maintains tension throughout. Reluctant readers in particular will appreciate the effect as well as the arresting subject matter."

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"The reality check this story provides will have most readers questioning their own behaviour and that of their peer group. The more subtle but equally important message about the building of strong families and working hard at your job will send quiet reverberations through readers' lives. The dialogue is excellent, revealing character and moving the action along...Bravo to Orca and to Tullson for addressing these timely and eternal themes in such a riveting fashion."

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"This fast-paced, slim novel is a disturbing but ultimately satisfying story that will surely spark discussion."

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"The riot scenes [are] tightly written and really convey a sense of danger and urgency. Teens looking for a fast read will find it here."

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"Very fast-paced, action-filled, likable believable characters—and well written."

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"This short, easy-read, high-interest novel is for teens in grades 9-12. The topic and storyline will hold the interest of teenagers."

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"This quick read will appeal to reluctant readers. It is fast paced and interesting. This story reveals how quickly things can get out of hand and end up in a full blown riot."

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Sixteen-year-old Kat and her mom haven't seen much of each other since Kat's father died last year. Her mom has taken over the family trucking business and has been away a lot. She promised that Kat could join her on her next run, a journey across the frozen Manitoba lake known as the "winter road." But at the last minute she changes her mind. Kat, who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, stows away in the back of the semi instead. By the time her mother discovers her, it's too late to turn back.

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"One of my favourite things about Orca titles is how often I end up learning things from them, and this novel is no exception…Winter Road is a simply written, interesting story that would be suitable for late elementary or junior high readers."

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"Butcher tells this story simply while keeping the reader wanting to read more and allowing the reader to experience the thrill and fear of being on the 'winter road.' I would definitely add this title to any middle or high school library."

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"The writing is straightforward with uncomplicated, short sentences, but [the] plotline is immersive. Written between a third and fourth grade reading level, this [book] will particularly appeal to middle school hi-lo readers."

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Sixteen-year-old Bailey is working at her first summer job, as a cabin girl at a fly-in fishing camp at Witch Lake. She struggles with the job at first but enjoys hearing the stories of the area, including the legend of a local ghost. Then April, an older waitress with street smarts, takes Bailey under her wing and the two girls become friends. It’s all good until another waitress burns her arm and has to leave. Bailey gets a sudden promotion, and April is asked to help clean the cabins. April becomes far from friendly and Bailey finds herself alone again and messing up on the job—and possibly seeing the ghost.

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"Appealing and approachable...offers readers a summer story succinctly told, complete with adolescent girl dynamics, first-job jitters, and even a resident ghost. This story of a balanced, relatable heroine respects its readers, giving them a novel serious in tone, smartly paced, and skillfully executed."

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"A well-structured and well-developed novel. The characters are fleshed out, the emotions are real and earned, and the plot holds well. I especially liked that Bailey grew stronger from April’s bullying and actually used the experience to gain confidence in herself."

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"Teens will enjoy this riveting tale of frenemies and root for Bailey's success."

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"A fast-paced read that will appeal not only to older, reluctant or struggling teen readers but also to stronger readers looking for a quick, engaging story. The subject matter and character conversation level is appropriate to older teens despite the use of simple, straightforward vocabulary."

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"Overt messages are presented engagingly for reluctant teen readers."

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Megan's brother Danny is dead. Killed in an apparent robbery in a bar. It seems like a terrible but simple case of mistaken identity, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But as the truth comes out, Megan realizes that Danny was "known to police." He was in much deeper than she realized, and the police are not motivated to solve the crime. As Megan watches her family self-destruct, she decides she has to find the truth. But the truth is hard to come by, and there are people who will kill to keep it hidden.

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"Scum is full of suspense...[and] would make an excellent addition to intermediate classroom and school library collections."

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"Reminds me of an episode of CSI or Law & Order in which people try to solve a crime but also deal with the personal aspects of the situation."

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"The book's willingness to forego hackneyed messages is refreshing...a quick but satisfying drama for those aware that darkness is only a step away in even the most comfortable lives."

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"This is the stuff real life is made of and I highly recommend this to young teens who think dealing and taking drugs is the easy way to money."

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"The story moves along and provides enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged. All in all it's a solid, if not exceptional, title from Orca."

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"Dekker paints a painful picture of how death can tear apart those left behind."

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Jenna Cooper was only a few days old when her father was murdered and her family was shattered. Now fifteen, she daydreams of a picture-perfect sitcom family as she struggles with the gritty realities of her life. When Jenna finds out that Travis Bingham, the man who shot her father, has been released from prison, she becomes obsessed with tracking him down and confronting him. But her search reveals that there may be more to her father's murder than she has been led to believe—and will her relationships with her family and friends survive her obsession?

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"The mystery of Jenna's family's past and her efforts to unravel the truth make for the heart of this story...Whatever Doesn't Kill You should be popular with those who enjoy Norah McClintock's many novels as well as fans of Judy Blume's Tiger Eyes. Recommended."

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"[The author] keeps the tension tight as secrets from the past come to light and Jenna discovers that things are not as they seem. Wennick writes with a knowing honesty about her characters and the inner-city setting, delivering a sympathetic narrator and suitably edgy dialogue...Whatever Doesn’t Kill You works well as a contemporary, urban YA novel."

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"Whatever Doesn't Kill You is best described as haunting. The ghosts that are around, though, are the virtual ones of guilt, fear, and the unknown...Wennick never goes for the easy route of tying up all storylines and going for the happily-ever-after. She keeps things real."

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"Wennick keeps her prose flowing nicely, and her characters come across as real people with strengths and flaws. Jenna's confusion and her determination to sort out her understanding of both herself and her history come through clearly and sympathetically. A solid, affecting coming-of-age tale."

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"Wennick provides a sympathetic main character, readers will relate to Jenna’s struggles for a better life and a desire to learn more about the father she never knew...Recommended."

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"This brief, taut novel is thick with Jenna's legitimate angst and understandable longing for answers...A believable portrait of a family destroyed, destroyed again, and finally rebuilt."

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"Readers will be hooked from the first sentence and kept on the line by the quick-paced plot and easy-to-follow language...Intriguing enough to hold the interest of even the most reluctant readers...,it is an overall good selection for those looking for a quick, heartening read."

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When Renata is chosen to play the lead role in the school musical, students who used to ignore her start saying hello and congratulating her in the hall. She enjoys her newfound acceptance at school until she realizes that Karin, a wealthy girl who expected to get the lead role, will go to great lengths to punish Renata for her success. Renata is not going to give up the role, but how much tormenting will she have to take?

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"A daring, accessible piece of work."

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"Well-written and authentic...An excellent choice for reluctant readers in middle school."

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"A great addition to any collection looking for something new to offer its reluctant readers."

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"A fast, manageable read, along with relevant age-appropriate themes and an absorbing storyline."

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"The author captures the quicksilver pace of change and delivers an important lesson without making it feel like a preachy moral."

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Following the breakup of her marriage, Rachael retreats to the old beachhouse in Jenny's Cove, where she once lived with her grandmother. It is the one place where she had always felt safe and loved. Devastated and lost, Rachael longs for the simplicity of her childhood. But Jenny’s Cove has changed. From the moment of Rachael’s arrival, a man watches. He has already killed, and mercilessly will do so again. Soon Rachael becomes a target for a vicious predator whose own dark and twisted past forms a deadly bond between them. And sets her on a collision course with a crazed killer.

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Joan Hall Hovey is a female Stephen King... a stunning, multi-layered, modern-day gothic, told with the unforgettable style and grace of a true master of suspense.

Evie was pregnant and forced to give up the baby. But she 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.

Also available in Spanish.

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"This is a compelling, insightful addition to the Orca Soundings series. Recommended."

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"This Orca Soundings title with its fast-pace, high interest content, and low reading level is a perfect choice for a struggling female reader."

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"This high-interest Orca Soundings book will be sure to stimulate good discussions about responsibility, good and harmful decisions and hard consequences."

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"The novel's fast pace will keep reluctant readers turning the pages to the end."

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"Lots of authentic dialogue and engrossing subject matter."

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