Laura Lane McNeal Books

Clara Wilson has a lot on her mind. Her best friend, Gerri, has started moving in circles that will never in a million years include Clara and her crooked nose. Clara's parents are fighting again, and her mom keeps talking about teaching in France. At least Clara still has Hambone, her loyal dog. And her crush on Amos McKenzie, of course.Amos McKenzie doesn't much like home these days. His dad's corny questions are bugging him more than usual, and his mom's gone religious for no apparent reason. On top of that, he's starting to fall for a major dink, Clara Wilson. And as it turns out, he's not the only one...The Tripp Brothers are the biggest delinquents in town. They smash mailboxes, shoplift groceries, and cruise around in their Seduck (half sedan, half truck). They've just turned their sights on the school's newest, cutest couple. And that can only mean one thing for Clara and Amos: danger.Clara and Amos--their lives turned upside down by each other, their families, and the two meanest brothers in town--discover that honesty may be the answer...but it can be awfully hard to find. In this emotionally compelling and suspenseful young adult novel, Laura and Tom McNeal present a searingly accurate look at life in ninth grade--where thrills, heartbreak, and intimidation can take place at a locker, in the lunchroom, or in a bathroom stall.From the Hardcover edition.

Wenn die Geister der Vergangenheit erwachen ... 1964: Als ihr Vater stirbt, kommt die zwölfjährige Ibby Bell zu ihrer Großmutter nach New Orleans. Sie lebt in einem alten Herrschaftshaus, hat zwei schwarze Dienstmädchen und ist die Exzentrik in Person. Bald freundet sich Ibby mit den beiden Dienstmädchen, Queenie und deren Tochter Dollbaby, an. Mit der Zeit lernt sie das Leben im Süden lieben, doch dann wird ihr klar, dass hinter der Fassade des prächtigen Hauses einige Geheimnisse verborgen liegen und dass die Hausherrin eine Vergangenheit hat, die sie um jeden Preis verheimlichen möchte.