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

Will and Big O are brothers and best friends—and small-time crooks. Ever since their dad went to prison, they’ve been stealing to survive.

On a ferry ride from the big city, they hatch a plan for one more score: they’ll break into the cars on the ferry during the trip and scrape together enough to get out of town. And maybe out of the criminal life forever. But everything goes south when they discover one car that contains more than they bargained for: a young kidnap victim. Pursued by a crazed professional criminal, the brothers must now survive the night and a final crossing into a new life.

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!

Sean Rodman's profile page

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

"Will challenge readers to ask questions about responsibility, family loyalty and crime while providing an exciting and accessible read."

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"Rodman has crafted another urban action adventure novel...[that is] entertaining and readable. With economical, vibrant language, Rodman stays true to the series’ foundations by providing a well-crafted story that is captivating, but easy to digest. One of the strongest elements of this novel is the development of the brothers as genuine, likeable characters with major life issues that they aren’t handling quite as well as they might like. Final Crossing will appeal to many readers, including young men who enjoy action and adventure and teenage girls who have a soft spot for boys with hard-luck stories. Cross gender appeal, coupled with an efficient, but memorable storytelling style make this one of Rodman’s stronger novels."

CM Magazine

"Lockpicker extraordinaire Will narrates the story, which pulls in the dangers of criminal life, family loyalty, and even a dash of romance—and all within the span of a single ferry crossing! Driven by action and adrenalin, this is a clearly written page-turner for reluctant readers. Complex social issues, such as having parents in jail and living in a group home, form the backdrop, making it more than a mere tale of theft gone wrong...Ultimately a tale of redemption and new beginnings, this couches its message of hope within a high-stakes fight for freedom."

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