Riley Park. (Orca Soundings). Diane Tullson. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2009. 102 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (lib. bdg.). ISBN 978-1-55469-123-4 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55469-124-1 (lib. bdg.). Grades 7-9 / Ages 12-14. Review by Betsy Fraser. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

"Did you see who hit you? Maybe Darius hit you. Maybe Darius gave back a little better than you got."

I am suddenly so tired. "I'm going to tell you everything, okay? I just have to know. Is Darius dead?"

He nods. He died yesterday morning. "Twice they restarted his heart. The second time, he hung on just long enough for his mom to get here."

A man in green scrubs opens the door.

Officer Rex puts the notebook back in his pocket. He turns to me and says, "Now it's a murder charge. Better get yourself a lawyer."

Although they didn't have a chance with her, Corbin and Darius were in Riley Park because of a pretty girl named Rubee. Both of them knew that she had a boyfriend. That is why they were having a few beers and concentrating on having fun, trying to cliff dive. That was also why Corbin had a six-pack and passed out, although he woke up just in time to see the attack on his best friend. Unfortunately, he was too late to save Darius and ended up being seriously injured himself. Not only was Corbin only saved by the timely arrival of the police, but he initially found himself a suspect in Darius's death.

     Corbin is a very sympathetic protagonist: his recovery is not simple, and he is given relationships with the investigating police officer, Rubee, and Darius's mother that show his growth. Corbin wants to do the right thing and hopes to find justice for his friend, but he is without any direct memory of the events of the evening. Without corroboration, he has little chance of assuring that the people who killed his friend will pay for their crimes.

      Riley Park is another solid entry in the "Orca Soundings" series that will appeal to either gender. It is suitable for public or school libraries.

Recommended.

Betsy Fraser is the Community Outreach Librarian at Calgary Public Library's Crowfoot Library and the author of Reality Rules: A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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