Riley Park (Orca Soundings)
Grade 7 Up—During a party-prepping trip to Safeway, friends Corbin and Darius flirt with Rubee, a local hottie manning the cash register. Darius invites her to the party, and the boys leave the market anticipating Rubee's arrival. At the party, he makes a play for her, and Corbin, in a jealous and alcohol-induced fit, attacks him. The party ends when Corbin passes out. (Gallant friend that he is, Darius remains with Corbin until he wakes up.) Without warning, the boys are jumped and severely beaten by hooded assailants. Corbin awakens in the ER and learns that while both he and his friend suffered severe head trauma, he is now under investigation for murder as Darius has died of his injuries. No witnesses saw the attackers, but the partygoers can attest to Corbin fighting with Darius. Corbin tries to resume his pre-assault life and find out who killed his friend, but his extensive injuries hamper his attempts. Likable flawed characters drive the plot in this gritty contemporary drama. The fast-paced read feels current and edgy without succumbing to inner-city staging.Riley Parkwill have both reluctant and struggling readers flipping the pages.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FLEND--This text refers to theLibrary Bindingedition.