Middle Row is part of the Orca Soundings series published by Orca Publishing. This series is designed as short, large-print paperback novels with high interest and low vocabulary. Targeted at the reluctant reader, the stories use compelling themes combined with authentic teenage dialogue. The book does not draw the reader's attention that is designed for teens reading below grade level. This novel is levelled at 2.4. Middle Row's storyline does not disappoint. Sylvia Olsen tells a story about small town racism in British Columbia as two teens set out to locate an outsider student who has disappeared from school. The narrative is told by non-Native student Vince and his First Nation girlfriend, Raedawn. When Dune disappears from school one day and does not return Raedawn sets out to convince her uncle and her boyfriend to locate the missing youth. The two come up against a reluctant high school staff, a racist parent, and Uncle Dave's mysterious past. Raedawn, Vince and Uncle Dave are nearly killed as they try to locate Dune deep in the woods as they stumble upon a marijuana grow-op. The three are successful and Dune's past is revealed to all. This is a fast-paced novel that will appeal to teens who find reading a chore and it contains relevant themes, dialogue, and characters they can relate to. This book is a good choice for reluctant readers because the author deals fairly with the subject matter and does not avoid sensitive topics such as illegal drugs and racism. Readers who enjoyed Olsen's previous novel, Yellow Line, will be pleased to read about the continuing story of Vince and Raedawn. Reading Level: 3.6; ATOS Reading Level: 3.7; Lexile Measure: 550.
