Orca Soundings are short, high-interest novels written specifically for teens. These edgy stories with compelling characters and gripping storylines are ones they will want to read. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 4.5; Interest level ages 12+.
Need help choosing your next Orca Soundings hi-lo read? Check out our Orca Anchor and Soundings Poster.
Hannah's Touch
After being stung by a bee, sixteen-year-old Hannah discovers she has the power to heal.
In the Woods
After Cameron rescues a baby abandoned in the woods, he tries to discover whether his sister is the mother.
Impact
After the brutal murder of their son and brother, a family reads their victim impact statements in court.
Riley Park
The victim of a vicious assault, seventeen-year-old Corbin struggles to get his life back and deal with the loss of his best friend.
Scum
Fifteen-year-old Megan's brother is dead, apparently a random victim of violence. As Megan digs deeper, she finds that Danny was "known to police" and that nobody wants to solve the crime.
Learning to Fly
Sixteen-year-old Jason is a recent immigrant from China living in a close-minded town. Holding on to his friendship with a Native boy, also an outsider, Jason finds he needs to fight to belong and to find a new home.
Lockdown
When a gunman is seen in the school, Adam and Zoe try to make it out alive.
Middle Row
Amid racism and ignorance, Vince and Raedawn try to find out what happened to a missing classmate.
Bull's Eye
After the death of her aunt, Emily finds that her life has been a lie and she has to search for the truth about where she came from and who she is.
Responsible
In a new school, Kevin must choose between falling in with a rough crowd or doing the right thing.
Saving Grace
Evie is determined to care for her baby—even if it means kidnapping her.
Battle of the Bands
Teenagers Josh, Kel and Cia are The Lunar Ticks, a band on its way to the top.
Exposure
Julie is presented with a perfect opportunity to get back at her tormentor.
Exit Point
Sixteen-year-old Logan is dead, but he realizes he still has unfinished business.
Crush
During a summer in New York, Hope falls in love with another girl and must figure out what that means for her future.
Breathless
Beverly gets into serious trouble when her starvation diet interferes with her scuba diving.
Juice
When a new coach comes to their school, Michael and his teammates are convinced that steroids are the way to compete.
My Time as Caz Hazard
When Caz and Amanda's behavior seems to contribute to a classmate's suicide, Caz must take a long hard look at her life.