Young Adult Fiction Thrillers & Suspense
Blood on the Beach
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Initial publish date
- Mar 2017
- Category
- Thrillers & Suspense, Survival Stories, Mysteries & Detective Stories
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781459812932
- Publish Date
- Mar 2017
- List Price
- $14.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781459812956
- Publish Date
- Mar 2017
- List Price
- $11.99
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 12
- Grade: 8 to 12
- Reading age: 12
Description
Eight teens are dropped off on a remote west-coast island for a week-long treatment program called INTRO (Into Nature to Renew Ourselves).
The story is told by two of them: Alice, whose police-officer mother believes Alice might have a substance-abuse problem, and Caleb, who assaulted his abusive stepfather. They are joined by six other miscreants and three staff: a psychologist, a social worker and an ex-cop. On the first night, one of the girls disappears from her cabin. There is a panicked search of the island, but she is nowhere to be found. The adults seem oddly ineffectual in dealing with the crisis—and then the ex-cop gets sick and dies. The radio has been sabotaged, and there is no way to call for help. When the social worker also becomes ill, the kids decide to take matters into their own hands and track down the killer.
About the authors
Sarah N. Harvey is the author of ten books for children and young adults. Some of her books have been translated into Korean, German and Slovenian, none of which she speaks or reads (although she is trying to learn Italian). Her novel The Lit Report has been optioned for a feature film. She will not be in it. Sarah lives and writes in Victoria, British Columbia, where one of her goals is to get her heels to the floor in downward-facing dog. Visit www.sarahnharvey.com for more information.
Sarah N. Harvey's profile page
Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board book Pride Colors, the picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story and the nonfiction books Kid Activists and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she attends Pride celebrations with her family every year, but always leaves her dog safely at home.
Awards
- Nominated, Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) John Spray Mystery Award
Editorial Reviews
"Will be avidly consumed by high school readers...It is the novel's spin on what seems, at first, to be almost stereotypical fictional set-up that makes the novel much more than just a regular old 'whodunit'...Readers will remain mesmerized to the very end."
CM Magazine
"So fun! I thought Blood on the Beach was an enjoyable and intriguing book...The authors each bring their own style and expertise to the characters they create...All in all, I think I'd definitely recommend this one to teen readers, ever to more reluctant readers, and adults who like a really solid thriller."
Sense and Sensibilty and Stories blog
"Together, [Harvey and Stevenson] are powerful. They have created a wild assortment of characters and exposed them to a more tenuous situation than those from which they came."
CanLit for LittleCanadians blog
"Will keep readers guessing right up until the end. Middle and high school teens who like a good mystery will enjoy this book and may be able to relate to some of the characters."
School Library Connection
"A compulsively readable tale...wickedly fun and fresh, this fast read is highly recommended for those who can't get enough dark mysteries, lovers of illicit romance, and anyone who appreciates creepy camp stories."
School Library Journal
"Both the adult and young adult characters are relatable and there are some great plot twists including one final unexpected twist at the end."
John Spray Mystery Award Jury
Other titles by
Other titles by
Kid Musicians
True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars
Queer History A to Z
100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism
Pride Puppy!
Kid Olympians: Summer
True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers
Kid Trailblazers
True Tales of Childhood from Changemakers and Leaders
Kid Innovators
True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers
Pride
The Celebration and the Struggle
Ghost's Journey
A Refugee Story
My Body, My Choice
The Fight for Abortion Rights
