Abuse

The Chocolate War (Readers Circle)

Does Jerry Renault dare to disturb the universe? You wouldn't think that his refusal to sell chocolates during his school's fundraiser would create such a stir, but it does; it's as if the whole school comes apart at the seams. To some, Jerry is a hero, but to others, he becomes a scapegoat--a target for their pent-up hatred. And Jerry? He's just trying to stand up for what he believes, but perhaps there is no way for him to escape becoming a pawn in this game of control; students are pitted against other students, fighting for honor--or are they fighting for their lives? In 1974, author Robert Cormier dared to disturb our universe when this book was first published. And now, with a new introduction by the celebrated author, The Chocolate War stands ready to shock a new group of teen readers.

IN 1974, AFTER SUFFERING rejections from seven major publishers, The Chocolate War made its debut. An uncompromising portrait of conformity and corruption, it quickly became a bestselling—and provocative—classic for young adults.

“Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”—The New York Times Book Review

“The characterizations of all the boys are superb.”—School Library Journal, Starred

“Compellingly immediate. . . . Readers will respect the uncompromising ending.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA Best Books for Young Adults

A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Choice

A New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year

Your Body Belongs to You

Shiloh

by Phyllis R. Naylor. Paperback. Elementary Level Chapter Books

When 11-year-old Marty Preston chances upon a mistreated beagle pup in his hometown of Friendly, West Virginia, he is not prepared for the ethical questions he has to face. Should he return the dog to its owner, only to have the animal abused again? Should he tell his parents? Should he steal food to help the poor creature? Marty's efforts to cope with these questions provides the moral backbone for this story, which is presented in a language and manner that will be understood by third- and fourth-grade readers. The heart and beauty of this 1992 Newbery Medal winner lies in lessons children will take away with them.

One Child

Finally, a beginning...

The time had finally come. The time I had been waiting for through all these long months that I knew sooner or later had to occur. Now it was here.

She had surprised me so much by actually crying that for a moment I did nothing but look at her. Then I gathered her into my arms, hugging her tightly. She clutched onto my shirt so that I could feel the dull pain of her fingers digging into my skin. She cried and cried and cried. I held her and rocked the chair back and on its rear legs, feeling my arms and chest get damp from the tears and her hot breath and the smallness of the room.

A Smart Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations: How to Tackle Tricky, Icky Problems and Tough Times. (American Girl (Paperback Unnumbered))

Burned

Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, Pattyn Von Stratten starts asking questions -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love. She experiences the first stirrings of passion, but when her father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control. Pattyn is sent to live with an aunt in the wilds of Nevada to find salvation and redemption. What she finds instead is love and acceptance -- until she realizes that her old demons will not let her go.

Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing

The Right Touch: A Read-Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (Jody Bergsma Collection) (Jody Bergsma Collection)

The Right Touch reaches beyond the usual scope of a children's picture book. It is a parenting book that introduces a very difficult topic--the sexual abuse of young children. This gentle, thoughtful story can be read aloud to a child by any trusted caregiver.

In the story, young Jimmy's mom explains the difference between touches that are positive and touches that are secret, deceptive or forced. She tells him how to resist inappropriate touching, affirming that abuse is not the child s fault.

The introduction provides valuable information about sexual abuse and guidance on what to do if your child experiences an abusive situation. Jody Bergsma's gentle illustrations soften the impact of this story; yet this portrayal of a dangerous situation is very realistic. If your child is old enough to sit still and listen to a story, he or she is old enough for The Right Touch.

Used by parents and teachers nationwide to help children avoid sexual abuse, this book won the 1999 Benjamin Franklin Parenting Award. It was a finalist for the Small Press Award and was also "Selected as Outstanding" by the Parent Council, Ltd.

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff For Teens

Richard Carlson has written numerous books encouraging folks not to "sweat the small stuff", and his title for teens is as warm, wise, and witty as his previous works. His tone is one of an older family friend who manages to advise while still maintaining the minimum level of coolness that teens require from those who intend to guide them into adulthood.

With 100 different chapters, each just a few pages in length, this little book works especially well as a bedside companion or tucked in a backpack for the morning commute to school. Each chapter is devoted to a single, simple idea such as "trust your inner signals" and "root for the underdog," and plenty of real-life examples from teens are used to illustrate principles. In the second chapter, a teen volunteering at an animal shelter is used to show how just one person can make a difference, as she takes the time for one more phone call that results in saving a dog's life. The concepts are appropriate for both early high school students and new graduates--who doesn't need an occasional reminder to "be ok with your bad hair day"? Incorporating sports, theater, literature, video games, teachers, and parents into stories make these examples accessible to kids of all interests, and a sprinkling of tales from the author's own teenage years adds an effective personal note. With plenty of suggestions for adding activities into a teen's life--volunteer opportunities in particular--your child may even feel encouraged to seek out new forms of positive expression simply for the joy of the activity, rather than the old standbys of "my friends are doing it" or "I need it to get into college." --Jill Lightner

Richard Carlson has written numerous books encouraging folks not to"sweat the small stuff", and his title for teens is as warm, wise, and witty ashis previous works. His tone is one of an older family friend who manages toadvise while still maintaining the minimum level of coolness that teens requirefrom those who intend to guide them into adulthood. With 100 different chapters, each just a few pages in length, this littlebook works especially well as a bedside companion or tucked in a backpack forthe morning commute to school. Each chapter is devoted to a single, simple ideasuch as "trust your inner signals" and "root for the underdog," and plenty ofreal-life examples from teens are used to illustrate principles. In the secondchapter, a teen volunteering at an animal shelter is used to show how just oneperson can make a difference, as she takes the time for one more phone call thatresults in saving a dog's life. The concepts are appropriate for both early highschool students and new graduates--who doesn't need an occasional reminder to"be ok with your bad hair day"? Incorporating sports, theater, literature, videogames, teachers, and parents into stories make these examples accessible to kidsof all interests, and a sprinkling of tales from the author's own teenage yearsadds an effective personal note. With plenty of suggestions for addingactivities into a teen's life--volunteer opportunities in particular--your childmay even feel encouraged to seek out new forms of positive expression simply forthe joy of the activity, rather than the old standbys of "my friends are doingit" or "I need it to get into college." --Jill Lightner