H*I*P Edge Novels

HIP’s new Edge series is more mature than many of our HIP Sr. titles, edgier than typical classroom novels, but with the same reading level controls we apply to all our books.

In these novels, students will find typical teenage characters dealing with real teen issues, all written with the cliff-hanging action and rigorous readability supports that make HIP novels so accessible for both striving and ordinary readers. HIP Edge novels are 112 pages, slightly longer than our HIP Senior novels, with just one illustration per chapter to support the reader - a perfect transition to mainstream young-adult fiction for high school students.

Each novel: $12.95. Each teacher's guide: $5.95.  Get a free teacher's guide with purchase of a literature-circle six pack.

Reviews of recent HIP's Edge books have been universally enthusiastic. Resource Links says, "All the books have sharp, witty, up-to-date dialogue, fast moving plots and powerful themes that encircle the lives of today's urban teens."  School Library Journal reviewed Outrage and Turf War saying "The two books are fast paced and have realistic characters and situations ... welcome additions to the hi/lo genre." Two of our HIP Edge novels have been selected for the YALSA Quick Picks for reluctant readers: Tony Varrato's Outrage and Paul Kropp's Behind the Door.

Teens only: Ask your students to check out the new HIP Edge Cafe. No teachers allowed, but fun for students. www.hipedgecafe.com

Behind The Door by Paul Kropp. Jamal and his buddies like to hang out in the basement of an old warehouse. Things are cool until, one day, a strange door appears on an inside wall. Of course the guys have to look behind the door – and then the horror begins.
   For a great online review, click here.
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: grades 7-12

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Breaking Free by Jennifer Mulrine.
A sensational, hard-hitting novel for teens – written by a teenager. Jennifer Mulrine was 14 when she began this novel.  Chris Smithers has problems at school, and with her classmates, and especially with her mom. She’d rather get in trouble than live at home, and rather get beaten up than give in. But Chris is trying to break free from all this. She just needs a little help along the way.

Reading level: grade 3.0
Interest level: grades 4-10

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Dancing on the Edge by Sharon Jennings. When Bonnie-Lee crosses Division Street to go to the arts high school, she changes her name and her life. But she has to work hard and take some risks to win respect for her dancing.

Reading level: 3.0
Interest level: grades 7-12

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The Edge Is Burning by Paul Kropp.
There’s an arsonist in Edgemont and houses are going up in flames. Nick and Marco have an idea who’s behind the fires, but looking too hard almost gets them burned alive.

Reading level: grade 3.0,
Interest level: grades 4-10
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Outrage by Tony Varrato. Connor already had a rough day – punched out by a buddy, tossed out of school, beaten up on his way home. Then he goes into a corner store for a drink, and ends up accused of robbery! It all sucks, big time.

Reading level: 3.0  Lexile 540
Interest level: grades 9-12

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Turf War by Alex Kropp. Kasim and his friends aren’t much of a gang. They’re not like Crips or Bloods, they’re just a bunch of guys who hang together. But that doesn’t help them against the Parkside Prep guys when they decide to clean up the Edge.
   For an online review, click here.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: grades 7-12

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All HIP novels are carefully controlled for readability and undergo considerable student testing to develop themes, characters and stories in the process leading up to publication. No publisher understands the needs of reluctant readers better than High Interest Publishing.