About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Liza, determined to prove that her mother's boyfriend is no good, starts researching the oil company he works for.
Liza discovers a lawsuit against the company for compensation that is long overdue to Guatemalan farmers. She starts a group at school called GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) and launches an attack on Argenta Oil. As her activism activities increase, her objections to her mother's boyfriend become political. She is learning to separate the personal from the political, but when her mother discovers her plans for a demonstration outside the Argenta Oil head office, the two collide in ways Liza least suspected.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade 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.
Contributor Notes
Sara Cassidy has worked as a clown, a youth-hostel manager, a tree planter in five Canadian provinces, and as an international human-rights witness in Guatemala. Her poetry, fiction and articles have been widely published and won a Gold National Magazine Award. She lives in Victoria with her three children.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
Editorial Reviews
"[Orca] couldn't have picked a better time to publish Slick…A well-written, fast-paced, high interest novel with compelling characters written for reluctant readers…Liza is an appealing, interesting and realistic character. The book also encourages girls and tweens in general to become interested in political issues and current events…Highly Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Reluctant readers will like this fast-paced read."
— The Washington State Young Adult Review Group (WASHYARG)
"Liza's determination and activism set a powerful example...The topic is relevant and will engage young socially aware readers."
— The Horn Book Guide
"Slender, easy-to-read, and strongly purposeful...This upbeat tale...[is a] solid entry in the Orca Currents series."
— Booklist
"This novel would work well with an environmental science component. Largely idealistic, Liza shows that one person can make a difference in both their community and in the wider world…A subject area that is certain to be of interest and appeal to those with an environmental aptitude; especially of interest with the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
— Resource Links
"With its short length and high-interest, action-packed nature, this empowering book will be a favorite with younger teens."
— School Library Journal (SLJ)
