Riley Park

by Diane Tullson

Seventeen-year-old Corbin plays hockey and is known as a scrapper on and off the ice. Fighting makes him feel strong. Corbin's friend, Darius, is socially adept and popular, and Darius's reckless risk-taking makes Corbin feel alive. With Rubee, a girl both boys like, Darius crosses a line, and after a party at Riley Park, Darius and Corbin are attacked. Darius is killed; Corbin is seriously injured. Corbin fights his clouded memory―he can't identify the assailants. He fights his weakened body―he can no longer play hockey. He fights the loss of his friend. But when he gives up the fight, he finds strength in acceptance.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Fiction, Canada

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Diane Tullson is a professional writer. She has published several books for young adults and written for magazines such as Canadian Living and Westworld. She has an MFA in Creative Writing, BA in English Literature, and has studied journalism and editing. Diane Tullson lives with her family near Vancouver, BC.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. From the moment the book starts you get a party and a fight scene. Then shortly after that you get some emotional things happen and every thing change. Great read this book has earn its five stars!

[Chris Noodwang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Riley Park by Diane Tullson. This book is about a guy and his friend that get jumped and one of them dies and then for the book you follow the one that survived and how he deals with it and how others deal with it. The back of the book tells you that the main character heard his friend's heart monitor go blank so he heard his friend die. Even though this was a very short book and it only took me about 3 hours to read I was engaged. I thought that Tullson developed the character very early and when he heard his friend die I felt so bad for him. This book has some very down moments that hit me pretty hard. This is a very quick read but I enjoyed it. I recommend this book to people that need a book they can read in less than a day then they have to take a test or something on it, I also recommend this to people that love to read because I like to read I would not say love but I really liked reading this book for the short time that I read it. I loved seeing the change in one of the characters named Rubee at the beginning she stays quiet about the murder then she helps save our main character and helps put away the murderer. Overall I liked this book and I think that anyone that picks up this book will enjoy it as well

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing for older readers with a low reading level!

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Darius and Corbin are at Safeway picking up a few items for a party that evening at Riley Park, when Darius spots Rubee. They realize that Rubee has probably broken up with her boyfriend so Darius invites her to the party at Riley Park.

The party is fun until the end.  Everyone has left except Darius and Corbin, when three strangers attack them.  All Corbin remembers is being attacked from behind and hit in the head with an incredible force.  He ends up in the hospital and finds out that Darius is dead.  The question is who did it?

Many clues are given in the book:

steel bar
taller of same height as Corbin
"Wildman"
red and white roses
Rubee's blackeye
teddy bear
Jason
Light color Acura

"Sometimes it's not a straight line to the truth."  Read the book to find out.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was I guess more of a short story. I read it in one short sitting. But it was good. It didn't waste any time getting in there, getting to the action and problem, and getting the insights set out there for ya. It was deep though, even with its quickness. My teenage daughter picked it out and I snagged it from her for a minute. I wouldn't let my younger teen read it, but she'll be fine with it. It was a powerful little punch. I definitely liked it.

[Gena Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very easy read and is very well written. I definitely wish this book was longer. I feel like there could be so much more added to the end of this book! Other than that, Riley Park is a great book!

[Brady Finn]

10/8/21 I finished the book today so corbin fell in the water and rubbee came and got him out of the water and then they got in a van and started talking about what happened that night and her ex boyfreind got in the fight and killed darruis and they wnet to court.

[Aniyah Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis book is very good I really loved it i I really want to read more books like this one. I wish it was longer!!

[DominicGamer22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fun book and I loved it.

[Alex Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it had relatable characters and relatable situations (Not all of it). I would recommend this book to someone if they're looking for a good quick read. Some parts literally gave me chills.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Corbin and Darius are close friends. They are into the party scene and spend considerable time at Riley Park. This is the story of the last party they attended and its tragic end.

There was the usual drinking and stunting that fateful night. Corbin remembers their daring jump from high on the cliff into the lake. It was a thrill they would be able to share for the rest of their lives. Who knew Darius would be dead by the next day?

After everyone left the party, the two friends were about to head home as well, when three strangers attacked them. All Corbin remembers is being hit on the head with incredible force. The next thing he knows he is in the hospital. When he begs a nurse to tell him how Darius handled the attack, she tells him his friend is dead.

What follows for Corbin is a difficult recovery filled with the knowledge that he will never be the same both physically and emotionally. His attempt to deal with the loss of his friend and his physical challenges is complicated by the fact that he is a suspect in the investigation surrounding the attack. He couldn't possibly be responsible for Darius's death, but who were the three strangers, and who can help him solve the mystery?

Diane Tullson uses just over 100 pages to weave a complex story about the tragic death of one young man and the guilt and pain of another. Readers will sense frustration and anger as Corbin searches for answers and adjusts to the changes in his life.

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Orace Soundings series, Riley Park is about two best friends, Corbin and Darius. They both like Rubee, who is their age, goes to a different school, but works as a cashier at the local Safeway food store. Darius has asked Rubee out and been shot down because she has a boyfriend who picks her up from work in a nice car. When they notice that Rubee is not wearing his ring, Darius asks her to go to the local hangout, Riley Park, and she accepts. That night, Corbin drinks too much and misses out on most of the fun. As he and Darius leave Riley Park, they are viciously attacked from behind by someone with a crowbar. Both teens are repeatedly beaten, but Corbin lashes out and fights for his friend, who is lying on the ground motionless. The next thing Corbin remembers is waking up in the hospital and finding out his best friend is dead. The cops think Corbin had something to do with it, but it is only after the doctor reports that their attacker was much taller that they begin to believe he did not attack his best friend. Corbin sustains brain trauma, losing his best friend, not being able to play ice hockey and begins to think about how to find out who killed Darius. A winner for the reluctant reader, the suspense and pace never stop and we feel Corbin’s loss and frustration as he tries to regain his life without his best friend.

[Arletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley Park was a very quick, but rewarding, read. I managed to read it in about 1 ½ hours. It’s the story of a teenager that has everything in front of him. He’s a star hockey player, good looking, well-liked (by most) and has the best friend in the world, even if they do disagree occasionally.

After a party, Corbin and his friend Darius are the last to leave Riley Park. They are brutally attacked and Corbin, after giving the attackers a dose of their own medicine, wakes up in the hospital. His life changes as he hears his friend’s heart monitor stop. Due to his brain injury, he has to relearn walking, names of common items, and how to live without the best friend he has ever had. All while trying to solve the not-so-mysterious identity of his assailants. On his journey he discovers a new normal.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the high-interest, low reading ability novels in the Orca Soundings series. As such, it's designed to be of a limited length, not much over 100 pages. This is encouraging to reluctant readers, but unfortunately doesn't allow for much plot or character development. I liked this story, of two friends, Corbin and Darius, who get attacked at a bonfire in Riley Park, resulting in Darius' death. The plot revolves around Corbin healing from his injuries, dealing with his friend's death, and trying to remember what happened--who attacked and killed Darius. The story was really gripping me right up until the end, which seemed hurried and fizzled out. I think this is no fault of the author, because of the necessity of keeping the story at a particular length. I wish the publisher of the series would give a little on the length of these books. Recommended.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid offering in the Orca Soundings collection, with the clear characters and conflicts that appeal to almost anyone. The hockey-playing Corbin is a solid protagonist; he's a bit hesitant to talk to the girl he likes, has a car that isn't what he'd want, he drinks and fights some one the weekends. He has to adjust to a 'new normal' after he's attacked, so a fraction of the book revolves around the solution to his assault, and another - and I'd say more rewarding - fraction revolves around the difficult changes trauma and injury bring about. All in all, worth reading.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my very own opinion i thought that the book was very interesting because I like how there were different types of drama,like at first it was best friends fighting over a girl,then it was who was better.Let me give you the run down of the story basically its about a teenage boy that has this best friend that convinces him to do all these crazy things,we all have one of those friends.So anyways because of his friend he ends up in the hospital with serious conditions,and his best friend ended up dead.

[Mr. Baad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story focuses on two best friends, Corbin and Darius, and the aftermath of an attack they sustain at a party in Riley Park. Darius is killed, and Corbin suffers a closed-head injury. This extremely short novel does a good job portraying both Corbin's feelings of loss and the mystery surrounding his attacker's identity. I especially liked the way it ended - not sappy, just realistic in its outlook regarding Corbin's future.

[Xiao Wen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda like this book, the part when Corbin is under the ice water, and Rubee is there with him. I like how the author is describing Corbin's feelings when he is in the icy water -- starts off very cold, but slowly becomes warm even though the water temperature is not changing. However, I do not like this book that much because the entire book seems too depress, and it is not the type of tragedy that I like. Also, the ending of the book is not the ending I expected to see.

[18Zachariah Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book that hooks you in the the story. When i was reading i never wanted to stop.Corbin the main character and his friend Darius both like the same girl, Rubee. They have a party and after the party Darius and Corbin are attacked by three men. Darius dies from the wounds, then Corbin goes looking for who the men that killed his best friend were. He also deals with liking Rubee and working things out with her. This kept me interested throughout the whole book.

[Jakory Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about two best friends Corbin & Darius that are going to the local park.When they are leaving they are attacked. After hearing police sirens the attackers stop and leave. Both of the friends end up in the Emergency Room. Corbin is trying to remember how they were attacked. then something happens to one of the two friends that leave u speechless .

[Sylwia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fast read. The story is very intriguing. Great for people who have a hard time reading books full of details and descriptions. It has a realistic ending that I wished would be better but in life things don't always have fairy tale endings.

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too basic for my reading tastes, I finished the book in an hour. On a positive note, I couldn't put it down. The story was sad but touching and makes one realize how precious life is and how it can be lost in the blink of an eye.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another strong title in the Orca Soundings Hi-Lo series.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick pick, this is a compelling story of a boy who loses his best friend in a fight. Spot on for reluctant readers.

[Korey Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Intresting.Gripping i like the book because its mysterious and tou are always gussin what will happend

[Mackenzie RM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really have much to say about Riley Park. It was a short and quick read. It was actually pretty good, although it wasn't really what I had expected.

[Kathleen Porter]

Fast moving, plenty of action; might be particularly useful for veterans and others with traumatic brain injury

[Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think that this book wasnt the greatest but it wasnt the worst. this book is mainly for people that like mystery books or action books.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm predicting that this book will fly off my shelves once it starts circulating. Tight, tense story that will definitely appeal to teens, even those who don't want to admit they like books:)

[Pam Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this book. This is the story of Corbin who loses his best friend after an assault.