Ten stunning short stories explore the dark and light sides of teenage life By turns suspenseful and absorbing, wrenching and poignant, these ten short stories illuminate love, loss, and betrayal: A young man must come to terms with his alcoholic father; a teen girl faces an unexpected pregnancy; and a brother must confront his evil twin. An exploration of sexuality threatens disaster, while a love triangle leaves its biting mark. With these masterful...

After taking refuge in the Sullivan home, Mick crosses over into the dangerous world of dogfighting   Something is tearing away at Mick. Despite finding some stability in the comfort of the Sullivan family, and his friendships with Toy, Sully, and Evelyn, he can't seem to escape his roots. Remembering too clearly the bigotry of his old neighborhood and alcoholic older brother, Terry, Mick decides to seek revenge. And what better way to make Terry...

Earl doesn't want to be a bully. It's not his fault that his body is as big as a football player's! Thirteen-year-old middle-schooler Earl has the body and facial scruff of a man-and this gets him into trouble. Everyone thinks Earl's a tough guy, but he's just trying to get by. Thinking he knows what's right from wrong-and using his fists to prove his point-earns him a week's suspension from school. Earl thinks he'll have a relaxing week, but things...

The He-Men must stay strong when one of their members starts talking to the enemy: a girl! One of the He-Man Women Haters blatantly violates the main rule of the club: consorting with the enemy. And this enemy's not just any girl; she's someone's sister-Ling's sister! When Wolfgang is put on trial for his misdeed, the boys discover it's getting tougher to be feared and respected in their neighborhood, especially with dissent in the ranks.

The author of the acclaimed Vietnam series sets his sights on World War II. Critically acclaimed author Chris Lynch provides an action-oriented but thoughtful view of the US Navy's war in the Pacific.Hank and Theo are brothers who share everything, including a sense of duty a love of baseball. They have been inseparable for their entire lives. But when America is drawn into World War II, the young brothers find themselves fighting the same war on...

From National Book Award nominee Chris Lynch, the second action-and-humor-filled futuristic series about talking pets who are tired of being pets ... and the boy who must help them. Zane has made an enemy for life in the evil scientist Dr. Gristle. Not only is Gristle angry about the damage Zane has done to his reputation, he's also extraordinarily jealous of Zane's ability to use technology to talk to animals. The result? He's now working on a new...

Baseball-loving seventh grader Richard has hopes of turning himself and the new kid, Napoleon, into the best baseball players Boston has seen since the Gold Dust Twins "As long as you have baseball on your side you can overcome anything." Seventh grader Richard Moncreif is convinced baseball will ease newcomer Napoleon Charlie Ellis's transition to life in Boston. Napoleon is unlike anyone he's ever met: poised, well educated, and a cricket player...

The First Special Service Force is an elite commando unit composed of American and Canadian troops. From the start, the Force is intended to go where other soldiers won't. The call for volunteers specifically singles out lumberjacks, hunters, prospectors, and game wardens as ideal candidates. And their training is anything but "basic," including intense lessons in parachuting, hand-to-hand combat, skiing, rock climbing, and adaptation to cold climates. One...

The He-Man Women Haters are rocking out in a punk band! With Wolfgang newly installed as their leader, the He-Men recruit club members Scratch and Cecil, and form a garage punk band. In no time at all, Scratch and the Sniffs is born-the problem is, no one can actually play an instrument. But lack of talent doesn't stop the He-Man Women Haters Club from chasing stardom-or at least a few bucks!

Two best friends are caught in a love triangle with fatal consequences Pauly and Oakley have been best friends since they were kids. When newcomer Lilly moves to their small New England town, both boys fall in love with her immediately. Unbalanced Pauly becomes Lilly's boyfriend, and Oakley becomes the one she confides in-the one who always puts things right. But a love triangle can't stay peaceful for long, and erratic, obsessive Pauly can't be trusted....