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Young Adult Fiction Law & Crime

Overdrive

by (author) Eric Walters

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Apr 2004
Category
Law & Crime, Death & Dying, General
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781554696864
    Publish Date
    Apr 2004
    List Price
    $8.99
  • Downloadable audio file

    ISBN
    9781459819856
    Publish Date
    Apr 2004
    List Price
    $9.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781459830899
    Publish Date
    Apr 2021
    List Price
    $10.95

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

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

Description

A street race ends in a tragic accident. Jake's friends tell him to run, but he doesn't know if he can—or should—run from the truth.

Jake has finally got his driver's license, and tonight he has his brother's car as well. He and his friend Mickey take the car out and cruise the strip. When they challenge another driver to a street race, a disastrous chain reaction causes an accident. Jake and Mickey leave the scene, trying to convince themselves they were not involved. Jake finds he cannot pretend it didn't happen and struggles with deciding on the right thing to do. Should he pretend he was not involved? Or should he go to the police?

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

About the author

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

Awards

  • Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection
  • Short-listed, YALSA Quick Picks
  • Commended, CCBC Our Choice starred selection
  • Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks

Editorial Reviews

"The plot moves quickly...this high interest, low reading level novel is simple, engaging, and well written...A satisfying read."

VOYA

“This story illustrates the power of peer pressure and how easy it is for good people to make bad decisions. No doubt teens, especially boys, will be able to relate to the events in this story. Recommended.”

Canadian Book Review Annual

"This is a gutsy, admirable attempt to provide a viable counter argument to the blinking lights of brain-dead video games and dimwit movies. This is perhaps the most effective employment of the reflective medium of print; an introduction to the internal voice of conscience, cause and effect and consequences. Walters has a disarming, empathetic way with his story. He understands the rhythms of an adolescent's speech; the id-driven energies behind their motivations."

CD Syndicated

"This book is slim, though it manages to look quite grown-up in its appearance. And the ending certainly opens the way to further thought and/or discussion."

Resource Links

"Walters captures the heart and spirit of the 16-year-old first time driver through Jake, the stereotypical teenage boy, who wants to be cool and drive a cool car...This is more than a story about street racing; it is about responsibility and accepting the consequences of one's actions. It is a story about growing up. Highly recommended."

CM Magazine

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