• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

A street race ends in a tragic accident. Jake's friends tell him to run, but he doesn't know if he can—or should—run from the truth.

Jake has finally got his driver's license, and tonight he has his brother's car as well. He and his friend Mickey take the car out and cruise the strip. When they challenge another driver to a street race, a disastrous chain reaction causes an accident. Jake and Mickey leave the scene, trying to convince themselves they were not involved. Jake finds he cannot pretend it didn't happen and struggles with deciding on the right thing to do. Should he pretend he was not involved? Or should he go to the police?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Eric Walters is the author of many acclaimed and bestselling novels for children and young adults. His novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow, Ruth Schwartz, and Tiny Torgi, and have received honours from the Canadian Library Association Book Awards and UNESCO's international award for Literature in Service of Tolerance.

Eric lives in Mississauga with his wife, Anita, and three children, Christina, Nicholas, and Julia. When not writing or touring across the country speaking to school groups, Eric spends time playing or watching soccer and basketball, or playing the saxophone.

To find out more about Eric and his novels, or to arrange for him to speak at your school, visit his website at www.ericwalters.net.

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Eric Walters' profile page

• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection
• Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks

"The book is written at a level accessible to most middle school students and is an excellent resource for ELL and struggling readers...The teen voice in this story is authentic."

Puget Sound Council for Review of Children's Media

"A fast moving and exciting book that will capture young teens' imagination and will keep them reading...Spanish speakers will be able to read them very quickly and will come back looking for more."

TriState Young Adult Book Review

"The plot moves quickly...this high interest, low reading level novel is simple, engaging, and well written...A satisfying read."

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Magazine

“This story illustrates the power of peer pressure and how easy it is for good people to make bad decisions. No doubt teens, especially boys, will be able to relate to the events in this story. Recommended.”

Canadian Book Review Annual

"Walters captures the heart and spirit of the 16-year-old first time driver through Jake, the stereotypical teenage boy, who wants to be cool and drive a cool car...This is more than a story about street racing; it is about responsibility and accepting the consequences of one's actions. It is a story about growing up. Highly recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This book is slim, though it manages to look quite grown-up in its appearance. And the ending certainly opens the way to further thought and/or discussion."

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