Trust No One by Karen Bass

After a long run of book birthdays, it's time to lean back, catch my breath, and sink into a book with chills and thrills. Better yet, this book is designed for readers, who don't want to dive into a week(s) long read but just want a quick tale. The publisher, Orca, has an entire series of books directed toward reluctant reading young adults...and I enjoy these quite a bit. The stories tend to take on themes, fitting to this older age group, while opening the door to more reluctant readers and more impatient ones. These are just right for an evening or weekend read and promise surprises along the way. 

As for today's read, the title won me over and the blurb sealed the deal. Teens make mistakes, and this one promises to be a tough one to resolve. I'm hoping to digs deep and keeps me at the edge of my seat.

So, let's open it up and find out if its as grabbing as I hope it is.

TRUST NO ONE

by Karen Bass

Orca Book Publishing

YA Thriller

128 pages

COMING APRIL 14th!!!

Seventeen-year-old Ben Hamer knows it’s never a good sign when the cops know your name.

Unfortunately, being harassed by the police and questioned about being the son of a career thief has started to become his norm. Only this time, when the police stop Ben for jaywalking by his school, he has an audience. The new girl in Ben's grade, Abigail, notices his exchange with the police and asks him out on a date.

It starts out as the best date of Ben’s life until Abigail stops to run an errand and rushes out of the store shouting, “Go, go, go!” As they race away, Ben realizes he has just become an accomplice in a robbery. Abigail takes off with the money, and Ben is worried the police won't give him a fair chance because of his criminal father. He needs to track down Abigail and make a plan to get his life back, but the cops are closing in and time is running out...

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! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

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MY TIDBITS

A frustrating situation suddenly turns into a dangerous problem and keeps the reader at the edge of their seat while waiting to see what finally happens in the end.

Ben's dad is sitting in prison for his crimes, and some of the local cops involved in his father's case have dubbed Ben as a trouble-maker, too. Ben tries his best to keep his head down, but even jay-walking to get to school can get him into trouble quick. When a girl at school shows interest in him, he can't believe it. After all, no one gives him a second glance. Before he knows what happens, he's agreed to go on a date with her...and it's great. At least, it is until she asks him to quickly stop somewhere and comes running back to the car, demanding he take off quick. She's a thief, and he's about to take the fallout...if the cops catch him, that is.

This is the latest addition to an entire series of books, which is created for those young adult readers, who aren't devoted bookworms. At less than 130 pages, it's quick and easy to read, making it great for even reluctant or slower readers. Still, it's written for the teen audience and hits themes and situations, which they can relate to. In this tale, it circles around a teen, who is dealing with a tough family situation and doing his best to get through school without causing waves. His situation comes across with natural grit, while staying believable. He's a nice guy, who has been dealt a bad hand, and this makes him sympathetic right away. His reactions are understandable, and even when the girl tricks him, it's understandable how and why he didn't see it coming. So, the entire thing flows well.

When the tension mounts, the author still keeps the situation believable and works in dangerous moments as well as ones, which reinforce Ben's golden heart. It creates a read, which is hard to put down. The ending wraps up things rather quickly, but with the short page count, that's to be expected. But even this works just fine and ties up all strings nicely.

It's a grabbing read and well crafted for the intended audience.

And here she is...

Karen Bass is the award-winning author of a number of novels for young adult readers. Her novel Graffiti Knight won the CLA Young Adult Book Award, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, the R. Ross Annett Award and the CAA Exporting Alberta Award, among other honors. Uncertain Soldier, winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, and The Hill were both nominated for the Forest of Reading Red Maple Award. Karen was a public library manager in Alberta for sixteen years before turning to full-time writing. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario.