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

Fifteen-year-old Birmingham has a hot girlfriend who wants to "do it" anytime, anywhere. But to his (and his best friend's) surprise, it just leaves him feeling hollow, and he finds himself longing for something more. Then his school hires a substitute music teacher, and Birm feels an instant connection with her. They both share a deep love for music -- and she seems to have feelings for him too. They begin meeting outside of school hours until, one day, Birmingham's girlfriend catches him in a lie. Jealous and angry, she tells anyone who will listen that he is having an affair with the teacher. Birmingham is forced to defend himself in a formal inquiry, while he wonders whether he's the one who has done something wrong.

A former elementary school principal, school district consultant, teacher and journalist, in England, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick, Robert Rayner now spends his time writing and teaching music. He is the author of three adult novels, nine young adult novels, and three teen novels. His stories have been shortlisted for the Ann Connor Brimer Children’s Literature Prize and (four times) for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award, and five of them have been included in the Canadian Children’s Book Centre annual ‘Best Books’ list. He lives on the Magaguadavic River in St. George, New Brunswick.

Robert Rayner's profile page

"This latest entry in the SideStreets series of high-interest fiction aimed at contemporary teen readers is a topical and provocative read that will capture the attention of its intended audience."

Atlantic Books Today

"The dialogue, both witty and thoughtful, faithfully reflects current high school conversations... Students will be nodding in recognition."

Resource Links