Dead in the Water
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Initial publish date
- Mar 2008
- Category
- NON-CLASSIFIABLE, Survival Stories, Water Sports
- Recommended Age
- 9 to 12
- Recommended Grade
- 4 to 7
- Recommended Reading age
- 9 to 12
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781551439624
- Publish Date
- Apr 2008
- List Price
- $9.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781554696000
- Publish Date
- Mar 2008
- List Price
- $12.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Despite his father's opposition, Simon "Spacey" Drake is determined to become a long-distance sailor, so he signs up for a week-long live-aboard sailing course.
The trip gets off to a rough start, but the real trouble begins when Simon and Olivia, another student, get curious about a nearby cabin cruiser in an anchorage. They investigate and stumble upon an abalone poaching operation, but the poachers have far too much at stake to let a couple of kids get in their way. Simon has always believed that the only person you can count on is yourself, but when he and Olivia find their lives in danger, he knows they will have to work with the rest of the crew if they are to survive.
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!
About the author
Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board book Pride Colors, the picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story and the nonfiction books Kid Activists and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she attends Pride celebrations with her family every year, but always leaves her dog safely at home.
Excerpt: Dead in the Water (by (author) Robin Stevenson)
The wind was a shrieking monster behind us and Jeopardy was barely in control, surfing down steep waves with an eerie roar as the water rushed under her hull. Every so often, a wave came at us beam on—sideways—rolling us dangerously to one side. I'd been out in all kinds of weather, but I'd never seen waves as steep as these. "It's nuts," I said flatly. I raised my voice so that she'd be able to hear me over the screaming wind and the crashing water. "And it's only going to get worse..."
Editorial Reviews
"Any teen interested in sailing will love this book, but it will prove to be especially popular with those struggling readers who are learning about how reading can be exciting and absorbing."
Resource Links
"Stevenson delivers a fast-paced nautical adventure filled with intricate sailing maneuvers and realistic depictions of stormy seas."
CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"A solid story about a crucial environmental issue."
Booklist
Other titles by
A Hug on the Wind
Kid Musicians
True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars
Queer History A to Z
100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism
Kid Olympians: Summer
True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers
Kid Trailblazers
True Tales of Childhood from Changemakers and Leaders
Kid Innovators
True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers
Pride
The Celebration and the Struggle
Ghost's Journey
A Refugee Story
My Body, My Choice
The Fight for Abortion Rights
