Bibliographic Information:
Dekker, James C. Impact. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2009.
Plot Description: The story begins with the murder of a young man on his way home from work. His family suffers through a long and uncertain trial, discovering the truth about the crime through witness testimonies.
Quantitative Reading Level: Lexile HL660, RL 3.8
Qualitative Reading Analysis: As a high-low text, this book is only slightly complex in terms of sentence structure and language. The story is chronological but unfolds in retrospect through the trial proceedings. Sentences are simple and vocabulary is accessible for teenagers. It is also very literal in meaning. As a story about murder and the court system, however, the life experience aspect is more complex, and readers will likely feel the suffering of the family as they try to move on with their lives while seeking justice for their son.
Content Area: English Language Arts
Content Area Standard(s):
CCSS for Reading Literature, Grade 9-10: 5) Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Curriculum Suggestions: This is a page turner for the teenage reluctant reader; I’d recommend it as an independent read for someone who enjoys crime or mystery. The story also discusses the use of forensics in the criminal justice system, which may be of interest to a young reader considering a career in forensics or law enforcement.
Supporting Digital Content: Introduction to forensic science video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ
Reader’s/Teacher’s Advisory Notes: High-Low read for ages 14-18
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