Dead-End Job (Orca Soundings) [Paperback]

Vicki Grant (Author)

Book Description

Series: Orca Soundings | Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Can Frances make it through the night shift? (RL3.6)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–Frances is hoping to save some money for art school. To do this she works the late shift at a convenience store on the edge of town. There, she meets loner/artist/new guy Devin. Unfortunately, he is severely disturbed and begins an imaginary romance with her that threatens her relationship with her boyfriend, her job, and her personal safety. This is an intense, plot-driven book that hits many familiar yet upsetting notes. The tension is meted out in a deliberate manner. The spare text makes it a strong choice for reluctant readers.–Amy Patrick, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Suspenseful yet believable...The stalker scenario is realistically plotted and a good subject for a hi-lo book as this situation is one that may be (unfortunately) experienced by some young women...Recommended." (CM Magazine 20050901)

"This is an intense, plot-driven book that hits many familiar yet upsetting notes. The tension is meted out in a deliberate manner. The spare text makes it a strong choice for reluctant readers." (School Library Journal 20050701)

"[The] danger comes through clearly in the story and will keep the readers engaged until the end. A good, fast read." (SouthWestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group 20050801)

"Though an easy-to-read novel, this will be a good read for any teen, and worth much discussion given that so many girls and women are at some point stalked. Be sure to give this to a young girl you care about." (Hi-Rise 20050512)

"A quick read, Dead-End Job is a real page-turner." (KLIATT )

"It is a quick, easy read with a high-impact ending. It will appeal to teens looking for an easily digestible stalker beach read." (VOYA )

"Simply written, with an emphasis on plot and suspense, it makes for a fine non-television alternative." (Monday Magazine )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551433788
• ISBN-13: 978-1551433783
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,918,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dead End Job ♥, May 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dead-End Job (Orca Soundings) (Paperback)

Is he a liar? Or is he telling the truth? That's the big question in this story. Francis has everything worked out in her life. He was working a part-time job to pay for an art school she wanted to attend. She was able to draw whenever she wanted. She had a great boyfriend, and a great best friend . She was all settled , until he came into the picture. He loved her, but she didn't know why. She didn't even know who he was. All she wanted was her life back , but he just kept taking it away from her.
Catchy, isn't it? This is a really good book. It is definitely one of my personal favorites. I don't read much so saying that is a big deal. I actually read it the first two nights I had it! It's a great story line. It keeps you excited and in suspense through the whole thing, right to the very last line. This book is so interesting. It has awesome wording and is up to date with everything in the teen world since all the main characters are teenagers. Readers can understand everything they say in it.
Also another huge thing I liked about this book is that it faced it's characters with real problems that happen in the world today. It has a combination of depression and love, with stalking and drama. It might sound like a lot to handle, but it is really an awesome book@ so give it a chance and read it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Stalker dude, April 20, 2011

By 

Heidi G - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead-End Job (Orca Soundings) (Paperback)

As is typical of the Orca Soundings series, the book is written at a level accessible to most middle school students and is an excellent resource for ELL and struggling readers. Frances works the graveyard shift at a convenience store. One night a customer comes to the store and really turns on his charm. He says that he is the son of a famous wildlife artist in town, the product of the first of many marriages. Frances laughs off his advances and later tells her jealous boyfriend about the stranger. The reader realizes long before Frances does that she is being stalked. A good reminder that everyone is not who they say they are. Teens hear adults say this often when conversing about online predators but the same can be said for in-person communications.