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

Dylan’s wish comes true when Coach Scott names him to the starting lineup for the Mountview High Hunters’ first game of the playoffs.

But just when Dylan should be concentrating on basketball, he becomes the target of some off-court aggression. As he’s driving his girlfriend, Jenna, home one night, a black pickup truck tries to run them off the road. The police call it an accident. But even as Dylan tries to put it behind him, he has a sense of impending danger that he can’t shake. When Jenna starts receiving threats from an anonymous cyberbully telling her to “keep quiet,” Dylan becomes seriously concerned about her safety. Jenna has no idea what the cyberbully thinks she knows. But Dylan will have to help her figure it out fast if they’re ever going to feel safe again.

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!

Sonya Spreen Bates' profile page

• Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection

Sonya Spreen Bates is a Canadian writer living in South Australia. She writes for children and adults, and her stories have been published in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Off the Rim is her second book in the Orca Sports series.

"Tight and authentic sports action combined with engaging characters make this title great for sports fans as well as readers who enjoy action and drama."

School Library Journal (SLJ)

"This novel moves at a very good pace, and the characters are both likeable and believable. The novel also has an ending that is unconventional yet strangely satisfying...for a sports novel. The author also tastefully deals with contemporary issues facing adolescents, issues such as online harassment and online bullying. This is one of my favorite books in the 'Orca Sports' series yet, and it would be a good addition to a school or public library. Highly Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Will have great appeal to basketball fans as individual games are described play by play, in great...A satisfying short novel for reluctant readers."

Resource Links