Exploring themes of health, family, faith, and grief, this collection of twenty-eight personal essays offers a candid look at aging. The author, reflecting on life in her ninth decade, balances wry humor with poignant insights, sharing experiences that resonate with the complexities of memory and longevity, including the joys of sharing a dog.
Facing an unexpected pregnancy, Autumn's seemingly perfect life as a top volleyball player and devoted daughter is shattered by tragedy. Overwhelmed by grief and the weight of her choices, she struggles to regain her sense of self while navigating the complexities of her situation. As she confronts her emotions and the reality of impending motherhood, Autumn must discover the inner strength required to overcome challenges that test her resilience and redefine her future.
Six captivating short stories about the lives of teens in crises. Story lines include such young adult concerns as racism, a drunk driving accident, abortion, partner abuse, pregnancy, school failure and coping with the need to care for an aging relative. Three of the stories are told by young male narrators and three by female narrators. All six stories feature realistic and well-drawn characters.
Set against the backdrop of family upheaval, the story follows 17-year-old Mario and his younger brother Eddie as they navigate life with their Aunt Carmen after their mother is deployed to Iraq. While Eddie seeks paternal affection from Aunt Carmen's boyfriend, Mario's focus is divided between his first love and soccer. Tension escalates when Mario uncovers a shocking secret about Denton, forcing him to take drastic steps to safeguard his brother. This poignant narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
In the 9th grade, Emmy is an A student, a soccer star, and a lead soprano in the school choir. She won't let her alcoholic mother or her father, long gone, stand in her way. Emmy falls for Art, a junior who is also one of the choir's lead singers. Art is a dream of a boyfriend until Emmy finds that she's pregnant. Then he wants nothing to do with her. Her mother is furious and wants her to have an abortion. Her guidance counselor claims that Emmy's life will be ruined, and only one of her friends tries to stand by her. But what does Emmy want, and what about her dreams, if she chooses a new life as a single mother?
The story explores the complex dynamics of domestic abuse through Melissa's journey as she grapples with her partner Rudy's violent behavior, which she initially downplays. After recognizing the impact on their child, she seeks refuge in a shelter for battered women. However, as she navigates the challenges of shelter life, her nostalgia for the past complicates her resolve, leading her back into a perilous cycle. The narrative delves into themes of resilience, the struggle for safety, and the psychological pull of an abusive relationship.
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.
Jeff is heading to college on a debating scholarship. Until his girlfriend tells him she is pregnant. He can't debate his way out of this dilemma.
In this story about the horrors of acquaintance rape, a high school senior learns about the harsh realities of alcoholism.
Navigating the challenges of adolescence, Lauren Riley grapples with the pressures of her boyfriend Tyler, who challenges her commitment to stay away from drugs and sex. With both parents struggling with addiction, she turns to writing as a means of coping and uncovering her inner strength. This narrative authentically reflects the complexities of high school life, addressing themes such as drugs, race, sex, first love, and the quest for self-expression, all shaped by insights from high school students themselves.