He'll Always Be Alberta's Child

Bull Rider

Marilyn Halvorson

Orca Soundings

Victoria, British Colombia: Orca Book Publisher, 2003

Genre: Hi/Lo (part of the Orca Soundings series, level 3)

Read if: You are looking for a fast paced and action packed story about  a boy's rise in the rodeo.

Best for: Reluctant teen readers age 12+ who are looking for a fast and rewarding read.

If you like it, try:

Any of the other Orca Soundings books. Orca is a Canadian publisher that produces high quality hi/lo books in a wide range of subjects.

Bonus Features: Listen to an audio excerpt from Bull Rider here.

Rating: 5/5

Growing up on a ranch in southern Alberta, 15 year old Layne has one ambition: to enter the bull riding competition at the next town rodeo. There's just one problem - Layne's mother forbids it. His father, a bull riding champion, was killed in a riding accident two years prior. Since that time, his mother has done everything in her power to keep Layne away from danger, even threatening to kick him  out of the house if he goes anywhere near a bull pen. 

But Layne won't let anything stop his dream to be great the way his father was. With the help of his sister Tara (or Terror, as she is affectionately known), and his friend Jana, Layne goes up against angry bulls and angry mothers to make his dreams come true.

Bull Rider was my first hi/lo book, and it didn't disappoint. For those of you who aren't familiar with the genre, hi/lo refers to high interest, low reading level books published for reluctant readers. Generally, hi/lo books are written three levels below the intended age group. 

Canadian author Marilyn Halvorson has written a book that is definitely high interest.This book is short without seeming rushed; there is lots of action, and lots of real feeling (I almost cried in one chapter).  The characters are well developed and real.  Gripping from the start, and well and simply written, this book will definitely appeal to readers who are looking for a fast, good read.  

This is the way hi/lo should be done, and Orca has many quality titles that I'm excited to read.