“High action, high concept stories for reluctant readers who want grit.”
— Kirkus Reviews
SideStreets are edgy, fast-paced novels that combine real-world themes and believable characters to make for short, heart-stopping books — sure to engage the most reluctant reader.
New in the series
Open Secrets
A teen girl faces sexual harassment and misogyny when she tries to succeed in the local music scene.
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL550LNo Known Address
A teen in conflict with his parents searches for a place to live and a way to keep his life together.
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL530LNo One’s Baby
To make decisions for the future, you have to find out the truth about your past$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: 620LSpin Out
A teen has to come to terms with his life when online car-racing and reality collide.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3
About the series
- SideStreets are a series of book that tackle edgy, real world problems that teens today experience such as class issues and crime, substance abuse, the #MeToo movement, and mental health.
- Focus on social and self-awareness and responsible decision making — key aspects to SEL learning.
Reviews
“High action, high concept stories for reluctant readers who want grit.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Open Secrets
“Highlighting the important and under-discussed issue of grooming against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, this novel deftly deals with a difficult and timely topic.“
— School Library Journal
“…the way red flags and warning signs of predatory behaviour are woven through the narrative is its greatest strength. The subjects presented will educate and inform many readers on an important topic … An absorbing #MeToo story that will increase awareness.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Player
“Sweet heat melts the ice, and relationship woes guide growth.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Praise for No Known Address
“A thought-provoking problem novel about a teen’s journey to find a safe place to call home.“
— Kirkus Reviews
Praise for No One’s Baby
★ Starred Selection, Best Books for Kids and Teens
“Tackles difficult issues head on, matter of factly and with sensitivity.”
— CM: Review of Materials
Praise for Locked Up
Locked Up will make readers look at others in a different light and think before they judge. With numerous opportunities for discussion about consequences, if prison is always the best way to punish someone, and different ways to work through difficult personal issues and feelings, Locked Up will give readers a lot to think about.“
— CM: Review of Materials
“Watson does an excellent job of giving the reader a sense of day to day life inside a detention facility… SideStreets once again brings helpful light to a dark subject.”
— Resource Links
“… brings helpful light to a dark subject.”
— Resource Links
Praise for Spin Out
“Spin Out is an excellent book for those reluctant readers who need a solid story and relatable characters.”
— Resource Links
Praise for On the Run
“On the Run brings forth positive messages and is a worthwhile read.”
— CM: Review of Materials
“On the Run is an excellent book for troubled teens who lack moral responsibility and a sense of duty.”
— Resource Links
Books and sets in the series
Open Secrets
A teen girl faces sexual harassment and misogyny when she tries to succeed in the local music scene.
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL550LThe Player
A gay hockey player in a secret relationship with a teammate worries how coming out will affect their chances in the sport.
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL370LNo Known Address
A teen in conflict with his parents searches for a place to live and a way to keep his life together.
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL530LNo One’s Baby
To make decisions for the future, you have to find out the truth about your past$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: 620LSpin Out
A teen has to come to terms with his life when online car-racing and reality collide.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Locked Up
A teen fears that years in juvenile detention have made it impossible for him to make a life in the outside world.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL520LOn the Run
A teen realizes the only way to stop ending up back in juvenile detention is to take responsibility for his decisions.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL580LCold Grab
Recently arrived from the Philippines, Angelo needs friends to fit in, but he gets in with a group of teens involved in crime.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL560LPush Back
Zaine enters a restorative justice agreement to avoid criminal charges. But will his rage or some new gang members land him back on the streets first?$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL600L
Gang Girl
As a newcomer from Russia, 16-year-old Sasha thinks she has found a new start in a girls’ volunteerism group. But she quickly learns the group is really a front for a girl gang and has to find a way out.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL600L
SideStreets Teacher’s Resource Guide
Outlines, activities and ideas to help teachers guide students reading SideStreets books in the classroom.
$14.95, Loose-leafInterest ages: 14-18
Epic Fail
Three teenagers from a multiracial, mixed-income neighborhood face the consequences of a traumatic sexual assault when photos of the incident appear online. A tough but realistic story about teen relationships, rape culture and how social media can magnify its impact.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Ride or Die
Kanika, a 15-year-old Black girl from a small town, is lured into the sex trade when she falls for an older teenage boy. Based on true-events, this book recounts the physical and emotional abuse experienced by young victims of sex trafficking, and how one girl survives and escapes.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL610LSaving Grad
Vienna, a mixed Native American teen, and her mother struggle to escape her step-father’s constant violence by moving to a new city to start new lives.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 5Lexile Reading Level: HL610L
Dark Side
When ending it all seems like the only way out$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: 610LDead to Me
Ever since Logan found out that his uncle was involved in his dad’s death, he’s been full of resentment — until he gets in trouble with the law and realizes he needs to face up to his anger.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: 600LRez Runaway
Raised on an Indian reserve, seventeen-year-old Joe Littlechief runs away when his devout Christian community discovers he is gay.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: 600LRiot School
Five teens break into a small-town high school over the decision to close their school. How far they will go to protest having no control over decisions that affect their lives?$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: 700LCutter Boy
All Travis wants is a slice of life
$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL640LKiller Drop
Marcus has a great life — until it all goes downhill$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL630LTrap Jam
Drinking. Lying. It’s all for the music.$12.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL510L
Gone Wild
Whether at home or in the wild, it’s all about survival on your own terms.$9.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL650LOne Night
All it takes is one night for everything to change.$9.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL560L
Femme
Eventually you have to discover who you are, and who you love.$9.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3
