• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12
• Reading age: 7 to 10

Edgy and suspenseful young adult fiction that explores topics teens want to read about.

Tia is spending the summer working at a special ranch designed to "scare straight" at-risk youth. She tries to bond with Sage, a street kid who has been given one last chance to get her life together. But Sage resists Tia's overtures, and when money goes missing, all fingers point to the troubled teen. At Risk combines a satisfying mystery plot with a sympathetic portrayal of teens grappling with dark pasts and uncertain futures.

Award-winning author JACQUELINE GUEST is the author of numerous Lorimer novels, including the Arthur Ellis Award nominee Wild Ride and A Goal in Sight, which was shortlisted for a Golden Eagle Children's Choice Book Award. Many of her novels have also been Canadian Children's Centre Our Choice selections including the SideStreets novel At Risk, and the Sports Stories novels Hat Trick, Free Throw, and Soccer Star. Jacqueline Guest lives in Bragg Creek, Alberta.

www.jacquelineguest.com/index.htm

Jacqueline Guest's profile page

• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Selection

"At Risk is an insightful glimpse into the dark world of street teens. The emphasis on positive rehabilitation makes it a worthwhile read for both teens and parents. A well written page-turner, highly recommended."

Constable G.P. Tourond, RCMP, Retired

"At Risk moves along quickly, the dialogue is authentic...and the characters are completely credible. You don't have to like horses to enjoy At Risk, but if you do, you'll enjoy it even more. Definitely recommended for young adult school library collections."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

At Risk

In this novel in the Sidestreets series, Tia has taken a job working at a ranch for delinquent teens. Partnered with the tough-as-nails Sage, Tia has her hands full trying to gain the girl’s trust. It is a battle that Tia is slowly winning until $10,000 goes missing from the ranch’s administration office and all evidence points to Sage. Sure that she is going to be hauled off to jail, Sage saddles up her horse and tries to ride her way to Calgary. Tia and Ty, another counselor, follow her finding her just in time to save her, and themselves, from being engulfed in a forest fire. This tightly written story ramps itself up to a gripping and unexpected conclusion.

Guest is an Arthur Ellis Mystery Award nominee. She also wrote Belle of Batoche and Soccer Star.

At Risk (SideStreets)

Tia works at a ranch for at-risk youth. She tries to bond with a street kid, until things go missing. An exciting mystery with a sympathetic portrayal of troubled teens.