Megan's brother Danny is dead.

Killed in an apparent robbery in a bar. It seems like a terrible but simple case of mistaken identity, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But as the truth comes out, Megan realizes that Danny was "known to police." He was in much deeper than she realized, and the police are not motivated to solve the crime. As Megan watches her family self-destruct, she decides she has to find the truth. But the truth is hard to come by, and there are people who will kill to keep it hidden.

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!

James C. Dekker is a first-time author and a fresh new voice in teen fiction. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, and, as far as he knows, is not known to police.

James C. Dekker's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"This is the stuff real life is made of and I highly recommend this to young teens who think dealing and taking drugs is the easy way to money."

Tucson Unified School District

"Scum is full of suspense...[and] would make an excellent addition to intermediate classroom and school library collections."

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"The story moves along and provides enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged. All in all it's a solid, if not exceptional, title from Orca."

NMRLS Youth Services Book Review

"Dekker paints a painful picture of how death can tear apart those left behind."

TeensReadToo.com

"The book's willingness to forego hackneyed messages is refreshing...a quick but satisfying drama for those aware that darkness is only a step away in even the most comfortable lives."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Reminds me of an episode of CSI or Law & Order in which people try to solve a crime but also deal with the personal aspects of the situation."

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