Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels with contemporary, relatable themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. Accessible text and fast-moving plots help striving readers build confidence and finish books, often for the first time. Learn more on our Orca Currents series information page.


Leon Levels Up (Noah Text Edition)

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, twelve-year-old gamer Leon is shocked when the cool kid invites him to test out a not-yet-released virtual-reality video game. When a glitch puts them in real-life danger, Leon must battle a dragon to save them both.

Maxed Out (Noah Text Edition)

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, twelve-year-old Max struggles, after his dad dies, to balance playing hockey with supporting his grieving mother and a brother who is autistic.

Me and Roo

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, thirteen-year-old Connor finds himself fostering a baby kangaroo in rural Australia.

Not Myself Today

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, a magical museum artifact makes spoiled middle-schooler Riya swap bodies with the girl she bullies.

Vinh Tran Is Cursed

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, twelve-year-old Vinh is given a magical jade pen to help him with his homework but it ends up turning his life upside down.

Fast Break

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, Arjun rallies against the new school sponsor, OmniBoost, who has filled the school vending machines and cafeteria with junk food.

Checked Out

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, queer seventh-grader Seth finds himself taking a stand when his conservative classmate sabotages the Pride display in his middle-school library.

Bark Twice for Murder

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, fourteen-year-old Harry pairs up with a talking dog to solve the mystery of their friend Stanley's murder.

A Night for Mischief

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, it's Halloween night and thirteen-year-old Syd must find a way to defeat the mischievous spirit possessing her friend before someone gets hurt.

Miss Match

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, thirteen-year-old Polly and her friends discover they'll need more than entrepreneurial spirit to make their middle school matchmaking business a success.

Spotting Dottie

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, fourteen-year-old Charlotte wants to use her new drone to prove that Dottie, the elusive lake monster of Dorothy Lake, really exists.