On the Rocks

Fourteen-year-old Dylan must choose between foster care or living with a grandfather he barely knows on a remote island off BC’s coast. He chooses his grandfather but as they do not have a relationship Dylan keeps to himself and spends his time fixing up the cabin and exploring the ocean by kayak. Dylan befriends an Orca—Oreo—and when Oreo is beached on some rocks Dylan and his grandfather work together to save him. This novel, at a lower reading level, is suitable for a whole-class read-aloud, ELL students, or independent reading for reluctant readers, and explores issues of friendship, family, selflessness, personal growth, building relationships, communication, and determination.