TRAPPED

A bus ride home turns into a life-or-death situation.

This story for striving readers from acclaimed British novelist McKenzie is a fast-paced thrill ride. Hailey Jones, who has light skin, freckles, and pink hair, is a member of the Hightop Youth Singers, teens who perform numbers from musicals. As they leave their latest gig at a clifftop retirement home, an ominous storm is brewing. Even though their worried teacher is rushing them onto the bus, Hailey is distracted—brooding over her crush, a cute blond boy named Kit who’s taken with new girl Bex. Everyone seems fascinated with beautiful, talented Bex, who has glossy black hair and tan skin. Hailey takes a seat at the end of the bus, far from her friends Rosie and Samira, and her mood sinks even lower when Kit and Bex choose seats right in front of her and start eagerly chatting. Then, disaster strikes: A tree crashes through the roof of the bus, trapping Hailey, Kit, and Bex. They don’t know whether the others can hear their cries for help—and the back of the bus is teetering on the edge of a cliff overlooking the rocks and sea. In the ensuing series of nail-biting events, relationships shift among the trio as Hailey grows in her understanding of their social dynamics. Badosa’s stylish, dramatic illustrations appear throughout, greatly enhancing the emotional stakes of this page-turner, which is printed in a dyslexia-friendly font.

An exciting, exceptionally well-executed edge-of-the-seat read.