Fighting Back

by Helen Orme

Published 1 December 2013
Amita and her family have moved to a new town after her father's business was destroyed in a fire. Hoping for a better life in her new home, Amita is sad when her bitter father refuses to allow her to mix with her white neighbours. To make things worse, she becomes the victim of racial abuse at school. Will Amita always be hated for being different?

Republished as a new edition, this book is one of the Shades 2.0 series. This book is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising story that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.

What About Me (Sharper Shades)

by Helen Orme

Published 30 November 2015
Lisa's family has fallen apart, with her mum appearing to have killed her violent father. After getting arrested for shoplifting, Lisa ends up in foster care, but no one seems to listen to what she wants. What does the future hold for Lisa?

Part of the new Fresh Shades series, this is a shorter version of the original book. The Sharp Shades stories are illustrated and have simpler language and a larger font than the original book. They are perfect for older readers who may find longer books too daunting, but who still want the excitement of a great story told with pace and style.

No Good (Sharp Shades)

by Helen Orme

Published 30 November 2015
Donna thinks that her sister Marie's new boyfriend, Jay, is trouble. When Marie comes home covered in bruises, Donna is convinced that Marie is protecting Jay. Donna decides that something needs to be done. But can she intervene before the police are involved?

Part of the Fresh Shades series, this is a shorter version of the original book. The Sharp Shades stories are illustrated and have simpler language and a larger font than the original book. They are perfect for older readers who may find longer books too daunting, but who still want the excitement of a great story told with pace and style.

No Good

by Helen Orme

Published 1 August 2014
Donna thinks that her sister Marie's new boyfriend, Jay, is trouble. When Marie comes home covered in bruises, Donna is convinced that Marie is protecting Jay. Donna decides that something needs to be done. But can she intervene before the police are involved?

Part of the new Fresh Shades series, this book is exciting and fast-paced, keeping within the style of the Shades 2.0 series. It is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising read that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.

Who Cares (Sharp Shades)

by Helen Orme

Published 1 October 2013
Tara hates her situation and everyone around her. Most of all, she hates her special school, the Unit, which she feels is essentially a dumping ground for misbehaving kids who don't fit in at school. After meeting Liam things start to get better, but he wants her to kick her drug habit. Tara refuses to listen, thinking she is in control - but is she?

In the same style as the Shades 2.0 series, this book tells a fast-paced story but is much shorter than the Shades, allowing for less-able readers to still experience the gripping story but with much simpler language and a larger font. The excitement of the Shades series is still there in these shortened versions of the dramatic, enticing stories.

Who Cares

by Helen Orme

Published 1 October 2013
Tara is fifteen - well, nearly. She hates teachers, social workers, anybody who tells her what to do and, most of all, she hates her mum. Things start to get better when she meets Liam. He makes her feel special. But Liam doesn't like Tara taking drugs. He wants her to stop. Tara can handle it, though. And there's no need for Liam to know ...

Recently republished as a new edition, this book is one of the Shades 2.0 series. This book is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising story that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.