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Description
This could be Rob's big break or the night everything falls apart.
Rob wants to be a DJ—more than anything. And when his older brother Adam lands him a gig at a local all-ages club filling in for DJ Sly, Rob is ecstatic. When he finds out that the girl of his dreams will be there that first night, it seems like it is all coming together. But things fall apart—Mary Jane overdoses on Ecstasy provided by Adam, and DJ Sly turns Adam in and implicates Rob. The brothers end up on the run, evading the police while trying to force DJ Sly to tell the truth about the brothers' part in the death and Sly's own role in supplying drugs at the club.
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!
Contributor Notes
Jeff Ross is the author of three books in the Orca Sports series—Dawn Patrol, The Drop and Powerslide. He was a DJ for several years but now lives happily, although with reduced hearing, in Ottawa, Ontario, where he teaches Scriptwriting and English at Algonquin College.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 18
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12 to 18
Awards
- Commended, TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee Book of Note
Editorial Reviews
"Readers will appreciate the ethical dilemma [Rob] has to struggle with...While short, and simply written, Coming Clean counts as extremely effective literature."
— Resource Links
"A quick paced story, compelling and real. One of the most noteworthy aspects of this book is that it's about making choices, and that, even if you've made a bad choice to start, you can change course and make good ones instead...Highly Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Written in crisp prose, with believable characters and up-to-date references, this cross between a short story and short novel will appeal to teens...Presented in a straightforward style without preachiness...Highly recommended for teen readers and especially reluctant readers."
— TriState Young Adult Book Review
"Features clean prose, believable characters, current cultural landmarks (especially in the tracks Rob spins), and a powerfully sharp, abrupt ending. Even seemingly innocent choices have consequences, and the path from piano lessons to prison is not as long as many teens think it is. Ross plots that particular course with transparency and without moralizing, offering a story that will resonate well beyond the targeted reluctant readership."
— Booklist
