Violence, Bullying, and sexual assault
Readers will learn about coping with different forms of aggression and abuse. The stories discuss the negative effects of violence on the self-image and health of victims and how those victims learned to protect themselves.
A Child Called “It”
Pelzer writes about his abusive mother who singles him out among his siblings for repeated emotional and physical punishment.
Falling Leaves
Born in 1937 in a port city a thousand miles north of Shanghai, Adeline Yen Mah was the youngest child of an affluent Chinese family who enjoyed rare privileges during a time of political and cultural upheaval.
Framed in Fire
Peter Larson has an increasingly hostile relationship with his verbally abusive stepfather, Buck, and some scuffles at school, but is basically a good kid.
Speak
Melinda is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now nobody will talk or listen to her.
Contender
Alfred begins going to Donatelli’s Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it’s the effort, not the win, that makes the man.
The Hunger Games
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV.
The Jungle
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a novel that unveils the corruption and bad practices of the meatpacking industry during the early 20th century.
The Outsiders
Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy is loyal to his brothers and his gang from the wrong side of the tracks. Ponyboy is caught in a turbulent chain of events after his best friend kills a member of a rival gang.
The Skin I'm In
Thirteen-year-old Maleeka, uncomfortable because her skin is extremely dark, meets a new teacher with a birthmark on her face. She learns how to value who she is and to accept what she looks like.
The Westing Game
A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will.
Tuck Everlasting
The Tuck family have become ageless by drinking from a magic spring. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster and a greedy evil stranger discover their secret, the Tucks are determined to prevent a disaster.
Wringer
The annual pigeon shoot provides the young boys of the community the opportunity to prove their fortitude and manhood by serving as "wringers."
Wonder
Starting 5th grade at a new school, August Pullman wants to be treated as an ordinary kid. However, his new classmates can't get past his facial difference.