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

An inspiring story about the ups and downs of family.

Fourteen-year-old Dylan is sent to live with his estranged grandfather, Angus. Basically strangers, the two avoid each other as best they can. One day Dylan discovers a young orca stranded high up on the rocky beach. Dylan runs to tell his grandfather. There’s nothing that can be done, says Angus. The sun is coming up, and soon the orca will die of exposure.

But Dylan knows he has to try to save the whale. He collects towels to cover the delicate skin of the orca and begins transporting buckets of water from the ocean below to keep it hydrated. It’s grueling work, and it will be hours before the tide comes back in and the water is high enough for the orca to swim free. Angus is moved by his grandson’s determination and helps as best he can. They both desperately hope that soon the orca will be able to join its family, who have been calling out to it just offshore.

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! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Available in French as Échoué.

Eric Walters is the author of many acclaimed and bestselling novels for children and young adults. His novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow, Ruth Schwartz, and Tiny Torgi, and have received honours from the Canadian Library Association Book Awards and UNESCO's international award for Literature in Service of Tolerance.

Eric lives in Mississauga with his wife, Anita, and three children, Christina, Nicholas, and Julia. When not writing or touring across the country speaking to school groups, Eric spends time playing or watching soccer and basketball, or playing the saxophone.

To find out more about Eric and his novels, or to arrange for him to speak at your school, visit his website at www.ericwalters.net.

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Eric Walters' profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection

"An exciting read...Dylan was a likable character and his backstory added extra emotion to the story."

Canadian Children's Book News, student takeover edition

“Very highly recommended for middle school and struggling high school readers. Excellent choice for libraries and families. The topics are current and smoothly written at a lower reading level.”

Must Read Literature

“A short and simple...effective tale of intergenerational understanding.”

Kirkus Reviews

“On the Rocks is well-written and a 'page-turner'...An excellent read for readers who like stories about family and nature. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials