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

Jesse is a sneakerhead without the sneakers.

After his parents were killed in an accident three years ago, Jesse went to live with his grandfather, and it wasn’t long before the insurance money ran out. That meant no money for new threads or fresh kicks. Now with summer in swing, Jesse has been saving for new sneakers. He’ll finally be able to keep up with the rest of the kids at his school, especially his best friend, Tay Matthews, whose sneaker collection could be housed in a museum. But then his grandpa’s WiFi is cut off and Jesse has to hand over his savings to pay the bill. It looks like Jesse’s plan for new shoes is trashed. That’s until nineteen-year-old smooth-talking Derick rolls into town. With new threads and a fresh ride, Derick shows the boys there’s more than one way to get what you want. And Jesse must decide how much he is willing to pay.

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!

Julie Thompson has worked with children and youth for over 27 years. She is a Canadian author of books for children and youth, a police officer and a youth communication specialist. As a mother of two boys, it’s very important to Julie that she create stories that resonate with young readers and focus on diverse characters. She hopes to write more books addressing many of the everyday obstacles that youth face, as well as some of the larger issues that marginalized and racialized individuals experience. In 2018, the City of Markham honored Julie for her outstanding work with youth within the Black Community. Julie lives in Toronto with her children.

Julie Thompson's profile page

“Modern and relevant…an important kernel of truth lies at the heart of all these stories. The writing is high-quality across the board: believable dialogue, layered characters, and fast-moving plots.”

School Library Journal (SLJ) Series Made Simple

“In Jesse, readers meet a protagonist whose desires and internal conflicts feel authentic. Thompson highlights the ways the cards we’re dealt in life influence the choices we make. She also explores themes of loss, grief, peer pressure, morality, and the effects of socioeconomic status while maintaining an accessible and appealing writing style. A reluctant reader-friendly story with heart, realistic tensions, and meaningful messages to ponder.”

Kirkus Reviews