Central Kansas Library System

After being sexually abused by the father of the children she is babysitting, twelve-year-old Cassie faces a difficult journey before she finds the strength and insight to deal with the problem.

Eighteen-year-old Erica Arrendondo is a serious student with her sights set on a career as a veterinarian. Then, after his mother dies a sudden, accidental death, Erica's boyfriend, Danny, turns to drugs and alcohol to escape his grief. As his life spins out of control, Erica struggles to help Danny get back on track. After a tragic turn of events, Erica finally realizes that she can't save Danny, and that she is losing herself in the process of trying....

Six short stories about teens in crisis are presented with alternate male and female narrators. Story lines include such young adult concerns as teen pregnancy, abortion, abusive partners, racism, failing at school, a fatal auto accident after a party where alcohol was served, and coping with family obligations to care for an aging relative.

This young adult novel accurately portrays the widespread effects of a young lesbian's decision to come out of the closet and live openly and honestly while still in high school. The story line revolves around Kit Dandridge - a young lesbian struggling to be herself in a repressive environment-her best friend Lynn, and their families and friends. Included are plot elements seen in recent headlines that include the often tragic consequences of high...

When their mother is called to Iraq with her National Guard Unit, 17-year-old Mario Barajas and his 10-year-old brother, Eddie, move in with their Aunt Carmen. Eddie, hungry for the love of a father, happily soaks up the attention their aunt's boyfriend, Denton, freely gives. Mario is caught up with a girlfriend who is his first love, with high school soccer, and with work. He barely notices as his little brother becomes more and more withdrawn. Then,...

When growing hatred and division unleashed by a recent election reach his high school, senior Eddie Barajas takes a stand against racism. Now, white supremacists are targeting him, and old fears rise up to haunt him, challenging all of his coping skills. What are the right choices to make, and can Eddie make them? In this stand-alone sequel to Shut Up, in which he was a victim of sexual abuse as a young boy, Eddie experiences his first love and learns...