Branded - Eric Walters [0]
Eric Walters
orca currents
Copyright © 2010 Eric Walters
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Walters, Eric, 1957-
Branded / written by Eric Walters.
(Orca currents)
ISBN 978-1-55469-268-2 (bound).--ISBN 978-1-55469-267-5 (pbk.)
I. Title. II. Series: Orca currents
PS8595.A598B73 2010 jC813’.54 C2009-906834-6
First published in the United States, 2010
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009940769
Summary: Ian learns that the company that makes the uniforms for his school is reputed to use child labor.
Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.
Cover design by Teresa Bubela
Cover photography by Getty Images
Orca Book Publishers
PO Box 5626, Station B
Victoria, BC Canada
V8R 6S4
Orca Book Publishers
PO Box 468
Custer, WA USA
98240-0468
www.orcabook.com
Printed and bound in Canada.
Printed on 100% PCW recycled paper.
13 12 11 10 • 4 3 2 1
For those who not only “talk the talk,”
but also “walk the walk.”
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
chapter one
“There are many causes for which I am prepared to die, but none for which I am prepared to kill,” Mr. Roberts said. “Does anybody know who said that?”
“You, Mr. Roberts,” Oswald said.
Some of the class laughed. Mr. Roberts silenced them with a look.
“I told you I pay more attention in class than you realize,” Oswald said. “Even when my eyes are closed my mind is—”
Mr. Roberts aimed his look at Oswald and turned it up a half notch. That silenced Oswald midsentence.
Julia raised her hand. “It was Gandhi,” she said, “political activist and the man who gained independence for India.”
“Very good, Julia,” he said. “But I expect nothing less from you.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Julia and Mr. Roberts had a very “polite” relationship. Considering how it all started between them, this was a major step forward.
Mr. Roberts had taken over as the new principal last semester. He wanted to make a whole lot of changes—changes that Julia, as the student president, thought it was her role to oppose. She tried to organize a schoolwide walkout in protest and called him “a stupid, mouth-breathing, chest-thumping ape” on Facebook. He suspended her for five days.
Even though they were polite—really polite—I got the feeling that Julia was waiting for an excuse to attack. Julia was like an elephant—she never forgot, especially something like a suspension. Before Mr. Roberts, she’d never even had a detention.
“Does anybody else wish to contribute something about Mahatma Gandhi?” Mr. Roberts asked.
I raised my hand, and Mr. Roberts nodded in my direction.
“Ian,” he said.
“Gandhi defeated the English, who ruled India, by using passive resistance.”
“What’s that?” Oswald asked.
“He told people not to fight back against violence. He told his followers to absorb the blows but not strike out against those who were hitting them.”
“A very hard thing to do,” Mr. Roberts said. “Many people think it takes bravery to fight back, but it takes even more bravery to not fight back.”
Oswald waved his hand in the air.
“Yes, Oswald?”
“I’m a little confused,” said Oswald.
“A little?” Mr. Roberts asked and everybody, including Oswald, laughed. Oswald and Mr. Roberts had a strange relationship. It wasn’t particularly polite, but they both seemed to enjoy it.
“My apologies for the cheap shot,” Mr. Roberts said.