Three poignant, insightful, and emotional stories that lift your spirits and give hope to the trouble teens in our lives. Grit Eighth grader Adelya Jefferson doesn't eat strawberries...or anything red.
Ady's eighth-grade life is anything but typical. With her love for poetry and best friend Riley, she tip-toes through the social minefield of middle school while grappling with anxiety and an eating disorder. Enter Duke Hawkins, a former bully with a dark past and an invitation to the middle school dance.
Grit is a poignant tale of teen self-discovery and the transformative power of friendship. Ady's journey reminds us that courage and compassion can emerge from the most unexpected places, turning life's challenges into steppingstones for growth.
Rizzle The old man next door taught me to whittle...and to believe in myself.
When Shayne was five, Rizzle moved in next door, a wrinkled old man with a knack for whittling and a penchant for Pepsi-soaked toothpicks. Over the next decade, Shayne spent countless hours on his porch, learning to whittle, to recognize the flavors of his toothpicks, and to realize who he became.
In Rizzle, a young boy finds a mentor in his quirky, whittling neighbor, discovering the power of self-confidence and resilience.
Rotten With seven kids in the family, I'm glad I'm big and strong so I can fight my way to the table...and suffer less from the beatings.
A heartbreaking story of violence and family turmoil from a teen perspective. Sometimes, a little magic happens and the unexpected comes to live with you.
