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

Zach and Ashley have been going out for a while, and things are going well—until Ashley finds out she is pregnant.

She is angry and blames Zach. She wouldn't be in this state if he hadn't been so careless. Insistent at first on an abortion, she turns against Zach. Confused, Zach struggles with what he should do and what his responsibilities are. Coming to terms with the reactions of their families and friends, Zach realizes that this is a decision that he and Ashley must make together.

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! Available in Spanish as Reacción.

No one has a clearer view of Atlantic Canada's literary endeavours over the past twenty years than Lesley Choyce. He is the founder of the literary journal Pottersfield Portfolio, and the publisher of Pottersfield Press. He has edited several fiction anthologies and has been the in-house editor of many books from Pottersfield Press including Making Waves, a collection of stories by emerging authors from Atlantic Canada. He is the author of more than fifty books in genres ranging from poetry and essays to autobiography, history and fiction for adults, young adults, and children. Among his recent books are the novels The Republic of Nothing, World Enough, and Cold Clear Morning, and the story collection Dance the Rocks Ashore. Choyce is the writer, host, and co-producer of the popular literary show television program, Off the Page with Lesley Choyce, which is broadcast across the country on Vision TV. He also teaches in the English department of Dalhousie University in Halifax and is leader of the rock band The Surf Poets.

Lesley Choyce's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

"Zach's shifting emotions—confusion, doubt, guilt, fear, resolve—are realistic."

The Horn Book Guide

"A gritty, realistic story that chronicles the fear, confusion, and solitude that comes with teen parenthood. Told from the unique perspective of a teenage father, Reaction would make an excellent addition to libraries that already have stories about teenage pregnancy told from the mother's perspective…The high interest/low reading level of this book makes it highly accessible to teen readers and reading it would be a solid start for a discussion about teenage pregnancy. Recommended."

CM Magazine

"A great story to read [that] keeps you wondering what is going to happen next."

Tucson Unified School District

"A very frank and readable account of teenage pregnancy…The reactions of the teens and their families are realistically portrayed…[and] high school students will enjoy this book for its honesty and readability."

TriState YA Book Review