Venom

May 1, 2009
Grades 5-8 This title in the hi-lo Orca Sports series goes behind the scenes of the horse-racing world.Sixteen-year-old Spencer doesnt get along with his mother, doesnt do well in school, and lives for his job at the track. During his shifts exercising and caring for horses, he notices a groom injecting what might be an illegal substance into a horse that Spencer suspects is going lame. With a good deal of suspense, this novel will capture the attentions of young readers who place following their passions above sitting in school (Spencer thinks, Why, I wonder, cant they have interesting stuff like Blood Horse magazine to read at school?). Although some of the background information is unnecessary to the story, the racetrack settings are clearly envisioned. Readers will get caught up in Spencers search for the truth and his dilemma over playing it safe by keeping quiet, or following his conscience and risking both his job and passion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)