Checked Out

Seth, an openly queer seventh grader, runs a successful YouTube channel called Seth Says. He carefully creates a brand around being a likeable queer kid and avoids talking about anything political. But when Pluto, a cute gay classmate, encourages Seth to read some queer fiction, he is blown away to see stories that reflect his own lived experiences, and he starts to see the value of queer activism. Seth and Pluto set up a Pride Month display to raise awareness of queer books in their school library, but as soon as the display goes up, someone checks out all the books, leaving the table empty.

Seth and Pluto discover that their classmate Rebecca checked out the books to protest the "inappropriate" Pride Month display. When the school staff decline to help, Seth decides to post about his experience on his YouTube channel. But as the video racks up more views, local conservatives stage a much larger and more intimidating campaign against LGBTQIA+ materials in the school library. Now Seth has to decide whether to give in to the pressure, or to keep fighting for what he has come to believe in.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read!
Key Selling Points

• When a classmate protests having queer books in the library and checks out all the books in a Pride book display, Seth and his friend Pluto decide to take a stand.

• The issue of book banning, explored through the eyes of an openly queer protagonist by a proudly queer author, provides an authentic voice to an issue that is timely and relevant.

• The crush between the lead and his new friend is depicted in an age-appropriate way.

• The fast-paced book is full of banter on both personal and political themes.

• The antagonist, a classmate who has been radicalized by online content, is believably extreme.

• Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, queer seventh-grader Seth finds himself taking a stand when his conservative classmate sabotages the Pride display in his middle-school library.
Tony Correia is a proud queer man who lives in Vancouver. He is the author of four hi-lo novels for young adults: Same Love, True to You, Prom Kings and Walk This Way. In 2023 Tony published his first full-length YA novel, One Summer in Vancouver, a historical novel for queer youth. Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 5.0. No one should feel erased.
"Sparks meaningful conversations with caregivers, friends, and educators about the long-reaching harmful effects of censorship. An authentically messy coming-of-age tale."