Book Reviews
Some kind words about HIP novels:
Your series has given us a resource that our young struggling readers absolutely cannot get enough of. It is thrilling to watch children who have never been readers finally become hooked!
--E. Ann Walker, Middle School Literacy Lead Teacher, New Brunswick
“My student Donnie reads today because of your books. Back when he was in the intermediate grades, we went through all the books in Series Canada and Series 2000. At first, we did choral reading; then Donnie and I would each read a paragraph, and then he went on to read on to read the books on his own. He’d never read an entire book before, but he’s read many since.”
--Sue Wiltsie
Thames Valley District School Board
“These novels provide teenage readers with situation to which they can readily relate…. These novels are well crafted stories realistically portraying teenage sentiments. They are rarely preachy, and are likely to attract a wide readership.
--David Atkinson, CCL
“An excellent series of books to purchase for any library of language arts center. The conflicts and story lines have been well handled to produce interesting but effective books. The series is definitely recommended for all schools.”
--W.F. Benson, CM
We're proud that two of our new HIP Edge novels - Behind the Door and Outrage - have been selected as 2009 YALSA Quick Picks for reluctant readers.
HIP Edge Reviews in CM
The Hip Edge Series. KROPP, Paul. Behind the Door, KROPP, Alex. Turf War, VARRATO, Tony. Outrage, JENNINGS, Sharon. High Interest Publishing, 2008. 103p. Illus. Gr.7-12.Pbk. Ea. Teacher’s Guides $5.95 ea.
These strong hi-lo books marketed for striving and reluctant readers will draw the intended audience with their edgy cover, graphic-novel like illustrations, immediate plot tension and cliff-hanger chapter endings. Set in the imaginary inner-city community of Edgemont, where teens of all nationalities struggle with realistic contemporary problems like divorce, separation, poverty and gangs, each novel highlights a time in a teen’s life when the important decisions to be made require self-examination and action. The characters overlap, some appearing in each novel, some not. Students who read the entire series (which stands currently at these four books), will find the change in point of view interesting. Each book comes with a teacher’s guide would be useful to a beginning teacher who is dealing with reluctant readers. The readability of these books ranges from grades 2 to 3, so they could also be used in the high school ESL classroom.
Both Turf War (dealing with gangs and weapons) and Outrage (dealing with punk anger and robbery) are full of male testosterone, fighting and posturing. Behind the Door, complete with ghouls and rats, is classic horror. Dancing on the Edge (finding your place in a new school) addresses the snarky way girls bully. All the books have sharp, witty, up-to-date- dialogue, fast moving, limited plots and powerful themes that encircle the lives of today’s urban teens. On the other hand, no one prostitutes themselves, no one steals cars, no one takes or deals drugs and even the swearing in Turf War is implied. This is a useful hi-lo series that will be appreciated by weak high school readers and their teachers.
Thematic Links: Inner-City Life; Family problems; Gangs; Friendship; Dance
Joan Marshall
Resource Links Reviews
(Thank you to editor Victoria Pennell for permission to reprint these reviews.)
KROPP, Paul
Avalanche (1-897039-07-7), 91 p.
Avalanche is a gripping story of fifteen school friends who set out on a ski trip/overnight camping expedition into the British Columbia mountains. Kropp’s characters are, as always, interesting, humorous, and lovable, although he has only a few pages to devote to characterization.
While on their Rocky Mountain adventure, the children experience an avalanche and their adventure becomes a life-and-death ordeal. The interactions among the characters and their struggle against nature make this book an engaging experience for students of any reading level.
Avalanche would make a valuable addition to a school library, classroom novel set or a child’s personal library.
Thematic Links: Family; Weather; Adventure; Survival
KROPP, Paul
One Crazy Night (1-897039-10-7). 88 p.
This story centers around one night in the life of fifteen-year-old Todd who is working the night shift at Corso’s Italian Deli and Gas. During the three hours of this story, Todd has to deal with severe weather that causes power disruptions, a hold-up, a backed-up toilet in the public washroom and a customer who comes in to pick up dinner and stays to have a baby.
Like Paul Kropp’s other books, One Crazy Night is full of interesting characters, fast-paced events and a satisfying ending. One Crazy Night would make a valuable would make a valuable addition to a school library, classroom novel set or a child’s personal library.
Thematic Links: Weather; Adventure; Friendship; Responsibility; Crime
JAMISON, Lori
Running for Dave (1-897039-11-5). 88 p.
Running for Dave is the story of Rusty. Rusty always felt that he lived in the shadow of his friend Dave. He participated in track and field but always thought he was second best. He was sure his parents always expected better of him. However, when his best friend Dave gets cancer, Rusty takes on a cause which allows him to see the importance with which others see him and provides him with a challenge to take him beyond himself.
Running for Dave is a tender story of friendship and loyalty. It would make a valuable addition to a school library, classroom novel set or a child’s personal library.
Thematic Links: Adventure; Self-Esteem; Challenge; Sports; Friendship
BROWN, Liz
The Bully: (1897039-08-5). 88p.
The inspiration for The Bully was Liz Brown’s experience at her high school with a group of teenage girls who bullied others. The Bully tells of the experience of Allie who encounters a bully at her high school. It examines the various ways girls bully others and the subtle hurtful things they do to hold power over others. Although short, The Bully is packed with emotion and adventure, and offers ways to deal with bullying.
Thematic Links: Bullying; Friendships; Self-Esteem
KROPP, Alex
Hacker: (1-897039-09-3). 88p.
In Hacker someone at Hacker’s and Cole’s high school is committing computer crime. The primary suspect is a teacher. The boys endeavor to find out the culprit before the football team riots. The story is action-packed and investigates the very real crime area of computer fraud.
Thematic Links: Computers; Geeks; Friendships; Crime; Adventure
Considered somewhat of a pioneer in high-interest-low-vocabulary books for challenged junior/intermediate students, Paul Kropp has just re-released a series of five Canadian books. Revised and updated, these are sure to be as successful as the originals.
KROPP, PAUL
Scarface (0-9731237-3-7) 88 pages
Scarface is the story of 19 year-year-old Tranh who has recently come to Canada from his homeland, Cambodia . Having survived war, torture, and detention camps, Tranh encounters a land of peace and prosperity only to be ridiculed and taunted by sixteen-year-old Martin Beamis and his rich friends. A ski trip sponsored by the Rotary Club and attended by seven students who were serving detentions for various infractions as a Breakfast Club results in increased understanding of the trials each has to endure. Through this renewed understanding, the seven become good friends, sharing in each other's successes and failures.
Thematic Links : New Canadians; Friendship; Tolerance; Discrimination; Immigrants
KROPP, PAUL
Hitting the Road (0-973127-2-9) 96 pages
Matt and Cody discover that the world is not always a safe and pleasant place. During the adventure of running away from home, they encounter a seamy side of life on the streets. They return home wiser and more prepared to live with the rules and inconveniences of life as a family. Fights and leaping from a speeding train help them realize that they are not ready for as much independence as they had thought.
Thematic Links : Friendship; Dysfunctional Families; Street Kids; Adventure
KROPP, PAUL
My Broken Family (0-9731237-4-5) 96 pages
After her parents split up, Maddy feels her world has come to an end. She has the same doubts and guilt every child of divorce experiences. Her only solace is her ballet. However, she finds in having to give up ballet that the love of her family and her love of ballet are still intact.
Thematic Links: Dysfunctional families; Divorce; Ballet; Friends
KROPP, PAUL
Street Scene (0-9731237-1-0) 97 pages
Sal and his gang terrorize their local neighbourhood and high school. Dwayne's asking one of their favourite girls to dance antagonizes the gang and results in their pursuing Sal. A fight ensues with surprising results!
Thematic Links : Friendship; Dysfunctional families; Gangs; Adventure
KROPP, PAUL
Tag Team (0-9731237-2-9) 96 pages
Jes is small and lightweight but he manages to make the wrestling team. His parents hope this will help conquer his shyness and provide some friends. The wrestling team changes Jes' life and his encounter with Banjo and Joey provide the reader with a scene to remember.
Thematic Links : Friendship; Wrestling; Adventure
Paul Kropp's books have long been known to provide literal non-readers with materials which are interesting, age appropriate and at a grade 3-4 reading level. This series of five titles is no exception. Individual teachers' guides are available The guides contain lesson plans, book synopses, discussion questions and reproducible student activities designed to engage even the most reluctant reader.
This series is a “must-have” for any elementary or secondary school library and a valuable classroom acquisition for special education classrooms and integrated exceptional students.
