Reading Level: Grade 8+

Russell was named for DJ's father. DJ was named for Russell's. Their dads were neighbors, best friends and coworkers. Both were firemen. They did everything together...including dying in the same fire.

When their small town hails both men as heroes, both their sons and widows are expected to attend function after function honoring the men. Although Russell is intensely proud of his father, he and DJ both wish the attention would end.

Reading Level: Grades 8+

"Are you a minority?  Unemployed, underemployed, or economically disadvantaged?  We serve the entire West Side, and we have services that can assist you to a new FUTURE!  Stop by today."

Hakiam didn't believe the lame sign. He just stopped by to get extra credit for his GED class. He went back the second time because of the girl behind the desk. Even with her rich girl clothes and fancy way of talking...there was something about her.

Reading Level: Grades 8+

To the outside observer, Syrah Cheng, daughter of billionaire Ethan Cheng, lives a charmed life. If only it were so. Between her critical, distant parents, her hateful adult half brother and sister and her sycophantic classmates, Syrah feels besieged and alone. Life has been even worse since the snowboarding accident that almost took her life and brought her under the unfavorable scrutiny of the press.

When her life long friend Age turns his back on her, Syrah realizes that her happiness lies within herself.

Reading Level: Grades 8-10

Kana Goldberg gains a deeper understanding of herself and others when she is sent to Japan to spend the summer with her mother's relatives after a bullied 8th grade classmate takes her own life.

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Other books by Holly thompson

Reading Level: Grades 4-6

When 11-year-old Johnny, the very shortest boy in his class, steals money from his mother and answers an ad promising to give him the "secret to instant height", he is dismayed to receive a note advising him to "stand on a box." Angry and ashamed, Johnny begins his own mail order scam thus setting a series of events in motion which may lead to his own mother's death.

Reading Level: Grades 4-6

Lucy is thrilled. Once her bossy older sister Regina leaves for college, Lucy will have their shared bedroom to herself. Lucy spends hours dreaming of the make-over she will give the room. Her decorating plans are ruined when her mother announces that Lucy's long-lost Chinese great-aunt (the one Lucy didn't know existed) is coming for an extended stay and will be sharing Lucy's room.

Reading Level: Grades 7+

The year is 1984. Fifteen year old Maya packs a suitcase for a trip to India with her father. They are going to lay Maya's recently deceased Hindu mother to rest. Not long after they arrive, however, tumultuous religious differences between the Sikhs and Hindus explode into violence when prime minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated.

Reading Level: Grade 7-9

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Reading Level: Grades 2-4

When Artie promises his mean cousin that he will give everyone firecrackers on the next Chinese New Year celebration, he immediately regrets it. How will he ever come up with enough money to buy all those firecrackers? Sympathetic to Artie's problem is Uncle Chester - a fun loving everyman who is wildly popular in Chinatown where Artie's family lives. Uncle Chester promises Artie that he will help - but when Uncle Chester's seemingly endless money starts to run out, Artie begins to worry.