• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Zack Freedman has complete control and feels a sense of calm on the high wire.

If only Zack could say the same about the rest of his life. His fellow youth circus performer and roommate, Cubby, hates him, and his aunt dumps a yappy, excitable dog on him. When a necklace is stolen during a circus performance and the victim of the theft threatens to shut down the circus, Zack is desperate to solve the mystery so he can keep his place on the wire.

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

Scottish-born and mystery-minded, Melanie Jackson is the author of Orca's Dinah Galloway Mystery Series for eight-to-11-year-olds, and young-adult suspensers such as The Big Dip and High Wire. Melanie, who lives in Vancouver with her husband Bart, is a business/advertising writer and editor. She's a member of the Vancouver Sun's Book Club, which reviews current novels in print and online. Melanie likes hiking, piano, English/Scottish history—and continually learning from the kids she works with as a writing mentor with the Vancouver School Board.

Melanie teaches a mystery unit to Grades 8 and 9 at two Vancouver secondary schools. She welcomes schools’ inquiries about her presentations for intermediate and secondary classes. For more information, e-mail Melanie or visit her blog.

Melanie Jackson's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

"An engaging read...Zack is a sympathetic character who makes a surprising, endearing choice at the novel's close."

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"Jackson uses her considerable experience and storytelling skills to create an adventure set in what is often considered a magical world. With deft precision, she intertwines the magic of circus with the reality of what it takes to be a part of it. Then she weaves in intrigue. Her characters live real lives and have real dreams. And the uncertainties that beleaguer the young circus troupe are real...A fast-paced adventure that will appeal to any young reader who has dreamed of "joining a circus", and to those who like mystery. Highly Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Jackson has you dangling in the air as you follow the story of Zack Freedman, alias Zen, as he crosses the thin lines of metal high above the circus tent in High Wire...The suspense builds as he tries to solve a theft and follow his heart all at the same time."

Tacoma Public School District