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

Jace has it all—money, cars and status. What he doesn’t have is a happy home life.

Forced to protect his brother from an abusive father and a neglectful mother, Jace lives a double life on the wrong side of the tracks, learning to box and trying to survive on his own merits while plotting to expose his father as the monster he is. Working reluctantly with two girls who have their own thoughts of vengeance, Jace finds that he is not as alone as he thought and that there are people he can trust.

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! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

The RETRIBUTION series: "These interconnected narratives are page-turning reads, offering adventure, intrigue, and satisfying retribution. Jace, Josie, and Raven are fiercely independent, clever, and intelligent protagonists; each has a rich backstory and an engaging narrative voice that hooks readers from the beginning. Will appeal to a wide range of readers, including reluctant readers who need a quick hook." - VOYA

With close to three million books in print, Sigmund Brouwer writes for both children and adults. In the last ten years, he has given writing workshops to students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. One of his latest novels, The Last Disciple, earned Sigmund an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund and his family live half the year in Nashville, Tennessee, and half the year in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Talk:
Reach For Your Dreams
It doesn't matter where you come from, it's where you decide to go in life that is important. Sigmund Brouwer encourages students to reach for their dreams, giving them fun and practical advice for the reading and writing skills that are the foundation of future success.

The Presentation:
Sigmund's presentations are an hour of high-level energy. He especially reaches out to reluctant readers and gears the talk to engage their attention. Audience size varies; often his presentations take place in the gym for the entire school, including kindergarten. (After the first half hour, the K-2 grades are dismissed, and the remainder of the presentation is focused on the older students.) There are no restrictions on audience size except for the space limitations of the gym. Smaller schools are welcome to invite another school to share in the cost of the presentation.

Booking:
For presentations that involve travel, Sigmund appreciates it if two or three schools in the area make bookings on the same day. For more information on booking, fees and expenses, please email Sigmund: rockandrollliteracy@me.com

Sigmund Brouwer's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"From the opening pages, Unleashed is full of just the right amount of suspense and attitude...With Sigmund Brouwer and Jace at the helm, there are twists that the reader doesn’t see coming. This novel is perfect for its target audience of teen reluctant readers."

Resource Links

"Large text and middle grade reading levels make the [Retribution] series accessible to struggling teen readers."

School Library Journal

"This series does not back away from divisive social issues...Those who enjoy gritty realistic fiction will find these books gripping. Recommended."

School Library Connection

"Not only does Brouwer have a suspenseful novel here but he touches on themes that occur in young lives...The language Brouwer uses here is simple and frank, yet it still flows in a lyrical manner. He manages to clearly get inside the mind of a young person and understand how they think and feel...A great book to engage young minds about the world around them."

The Library of Pacific Tranquility blog

"These interconnected narratives are page-turning reads, offering adventure, intrigue, and satisfying retribution. Jace, Josie, and Raven are fiercely independent, clever, and intelligent protagonists; each has a rich backstory and an engaging narrative voice that hooks readers from the beginning. Each compact narrative can stand on its own but also incorporates references to the other two, lending a multiple-perspective aspect to the story as a whole. While each book offers a quick resolution, readers will connect quickly to the characters and find their plights both compelling and entertaining. The series tackles such topics as truth and justice, integrity and honesty, and survival. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, including reluctant readers who need a quick hook."

VOYA

"Credit must be given to Brouwer for his ability to stay within the mind of a teenaged boy in a realistic way...The story never suffers from a sense of fatigue or dryness, and there is enough witty humour to keep even adult readers entertained...Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine