Frances O'Roark Dowell Book order (chronological)

Told in a series of reports to his therapist, Hazard is resentful about being forced into counseling after being suspended from his school football team for unsportsmanlike conduct, angry that his father has served four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, angry that his father has lost a leg when an IED blew up--but as his therapy progresses he begins to process what has happened to him and his family, including his father's psychological trauma that has made him refuse to see his sons.

The story centers on a sixth-grade class that unites to support a classmate facing challenges. Through the diverse perspectives of the students, the narrative explores themes of friendship, empathy, and community. Each character adds depth to the unfolding events, highlighting their individual experiences and insights as they navigate their collective journey of support and understanding.

In the final installment of the Secret Language of Girls trilogy, Marylin and Kate navigate the complexities of relationships as they discover that boys are as intricate as their friendships. As they face new challenges and emotional growth, the story explores themes of love, loyalty, and the evolving dynamics of their lives.

Twelve-year-olds Kate and Marylin, friends since preschool, draw further apart as Marylin becomes involved in student government and cheerleading, while Kate wants to play guitar and write songs, and both develop unlikely friendships with other girls and boys.

Twelve-year-old Dovey never did like Parnell. She didn't like his slick way of wooing her older sister, or the way he maligned her deaf brother, but she didn't murder him. All the evidence, however, points at Dovey, will she rely on a city lawyer who knows nothing, or will she do something?