On the Run — Gail Herman

High school senior Jack Porter is a track star. During one of his last meets, he asks pretty Becky Mann to the school dance. She's flirty and fun … until they get to the dance. Then she gives Jack the cold shoulder. He can't figure it out and soon gives up trying. Sometime during the evening, the police show up. There's a body in Jack's car. It's Becky! The officers question and release him only to show up at his house the following morning. Jack flees. He knows he's being framed. Who killed the pretty teen? Fugitive Jack is determined to find out.

White Lightning Books addresses a wide variety of themes and interests in a narrow range of reading levels, no higher than a 2.5. Middle school is a time of self-discovery, high energy, and hormonal change. It can also be a time of self-assertion and defiance. Students who struggle to read will often not recover from low reading achievement in elementary school if their particular interests are not addressed. Encouragement and finding the theme to hook them is key. There is a broad range of interest and abilities in this age group, even with struggling readers. These are not YA or elementary books--a fact younger teens will appreciate.

Each book is approximately 100 pages with covers that will appeal to young teen readers. The titles in the White Lightning series are designed in a similar style. Students will know what to expect when they pick up a book: a fast-paced story, mature and age-appropriate topics, short chapters, and achievable reading success.