Schraff, Anne E

Loud talk preceded shouting, and then shots rang out. One boy was lying on the sidewalk. Police were not saying so, but he appeared to be dead. At school on Monday, everybody at Tubman was talking about the Grant Street Shooting. As far as anybody could tell, the victim was an innocent bystander. (Taken from back cover.).

Jaris Spain has a hard time believing in himself. Between his pessimistic father, his falsely optimistic mother, his failure at sports, difficulty in the classroom, and inability to be noticed by the one girl that matters to him, Jaris struggles to find his own place in the world.

On his way home from work, Derrick Shaw witnesses a murder and to save himself he promises not to reveal the identity of the killer, a former Tubman student, but the guilt of the cover-up proves to be too much for Derrick as he contemplates turning in the shooter.

Examines the life and career of innovative math teacher Jaime Escalante, discussing his childhood in Bolivia, his education, his move to California, and the unique teaching techniques that made him an inspiration to his students.

Catie has never been superstitious, but when bad things start happening after she throws away a chain letter, she begins to wonder if the letter's curse is real.

Darcey Willis does not know where to turn for help when a series of frightening incidents culminate with the disappearance of her sister Jamee.

After another violent encounter with her alcoholic mother's boyfriend, sixteen-year-old Tina decides her life would bebetter if she ran away from home.

Paige and Coco are curious about the new boy in school. His name is Orion Wells, and from the beginning, the boy is different. Paige thinks it's Orion's magical green eyes and wonders if he could be from another planet. After a few weeks at school, the entire culture has changed. The bully is nice. Lonely kids have made friends. Teachers are calmer. The principal smiles. Even Coco changes. During a major talent show, Coco does not get stage fright. She nails her song and wins the contest.

Destiny has always wanted a dog, but her dad tells her no every time she asks, then, when her uncle Jake helps her out with a school project, she enlists his help in convincing his brother to change his mind.