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The Rules Have Changed

by Lesley Choyce

Part of the Orca Soundings series

Subject
Social Themes - Prejudice & Racism
Age
9-12 years
Format
Trade Paperback
Pages
120
Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Size
13.5 cm × 19.6 cm
ISBN
9781459826823

After three years abroad, sixteen-year-old Blake Pendleton returns to his old high school and is shocked to find that the world he knew has turned upside down.

Everyone at school wears a military-style uniform now and Blake soon learns the hard way that independence in any form is not encouraged. After questioning something his teacher tells him, he gets locked up in an isolation room.

Once he’s released, Blake goes looking for allies and finds Ming and Gina, two students who have learned how to play along. From them, Blake learns about the school’s “induction education,” a mind-training program set up by the government to train students to be teachers, cops and other types of community leaders. It’s brainwashing and job training all in one. Somehow, Blake and his new friends must find a way to escape their predetermined fate. But who can they trust?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

About the author

Lesley ChoyceAuthor

Lesley Choyce is an award-winning author of more than 100 books of literary fiction, short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, young adult novels and several books in the Orca Soundings line. His works have been shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, the White Pine Award and the Governor General’s Literary Award, among others. Lesley lives in Nova Scotia.

Data provided by BiblioShare.

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What reviewers said

“A solid hi-lo novel for students who would enjoy 1984 or The Hunger Games.”
“Shows readers the shocking nature of extreme changes that crept up on everyone else. A chilling glimpse of life under authoritarian rule for reluctant readers.”
“With undercurrents of social injustices that reflect our current world, this Orca Soundings book is fast-paced, and readers will want to find out what happens [next].”
“A compelling read, one that rings just a little too true to the current political climate in North America. It is a novel that will make readers stop and think about what the future holds and how they can choose to affect it. Highly Recommended.”
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.