Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels with relatable themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 5.0.

Need help choosing your next Orca Currents hi-lo read? Check out our Orca Currents Poster.

Wildfire

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Dylan tries to find the source of a series of mysterious fires.

Oh Brother

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Lauren is worried about what will happen when her new friends realize her brother is disabled.

The Ride Home

In this high-interest, accessible novel for middle readers, thirteen-year-old Mark adjusts to long rides on the school bus after moving to a small town to live with his grandmother.

World's Worst Parrot

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Ava’s life suddenly becomes very complicated when she inherits a troublesome African gray parrot.

The Book of Elsie

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, Elsie comes up with a plan to save her local synagogue.

Legends of Funland

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Buddy tries to impress his big brother by spending the night in a haunted theme park.

Project Bollywood

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, a young filmmaker tries to recreate a Bollywood film for a school project.

The Overwood

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, 14-year-old Blue Jasper has to face an old foe from Faerieland who has made her way into his world.

Willpower

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, a young teen with extraordinary mental abilities tries to save her father.

Flower Power

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, Callie's mother has chained herself to a tree.

Lost

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, teen sleuths Sam and Annabel solve a mystery in the Arctic that has ties to the Franklin Expedition.

Maxed Out

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, after his dad dies, twelve-year-old Max struggles to balance playing hockey with supporting his grieving mother and a brother who is autistic.

On Cue

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, fourteen-year-old Randi has to balance theater studies with caring for her brother, who is autistic.

Winter Road

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Kat stows away in her mother's semitruck on a dangerous trek across a frozen lake.

Dog Walker

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Turk's brilliant moneymaking idea gets out of control.

Alien Road

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, thirteen-year-old Ridge goes on a boat trip through the legendary Bermuda Triangle.

The Wherewood

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, 14-year-old Blue Jasper goes on another Faerie Woods adventure, to the Wherewood, the forest of lost things.

Kylie the Magnificent

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, amateur magician Kylie has to work hard to be taken seriously.

Agent Angus

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Angus and his best friend, Shahid, try to track down a thief.

Cheat

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Laurel investigates a cheating scam at her high school.

Jungle Jitters

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Tate goes on a school trip to the Amazon, where he must confront his worst fears.

The Crosswood

In this high-interest, accessible novel for middle-grade readers, 14-year-old Blue Jasper must enter the enchanted Crosswood when his twin siblings are kidnapped by a Faerie king.

Finders Keepers

In this high-interest, accessible novel for middle readers, Macy discovers a mermaid in the prairie lake near her home.

Embrace the Chicken

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Shivani is horrified when her mother volunteers to cook traditional Indian food for her school's annual fundraiser.