Naomi is plunged into a deep emotional crisis after her father's violent death. She flees to New York with her mother, where reluctant neighbor Alan, urged by his parents, tries to help her. However, his efforts are thwarted by antisemitic classmates.
Fourteen-year-old Adam seems strange to Lisa; he claims to be an alien from planet Vega-X. When Adam invites Lisa to his mountaintop home to see the space capsule that brought him to earth, Lisa is intrigued. A budding photojournalist, Lisa sees beauty in his ramshackle cabin and his family’s primitive way of life. Their odd friendship grows into love, but Adam’s painful past, and his need to escape from reality, challenges their relationship. “A haunting portrait of human nature.”—The Horn Book, starred review. “The relationship between the young people is compelling.”—School Library Journal
Three classmates- Joshua, a chess prodigy, Karen, a feminist, and Lori, a sensitive artist- start an unusual friendship, forming a clique of their own. Other kids may think theyre weird, their parents may not understand them, but they have each other. Its movies and pizzas and dances until their perfect trio is nearly shattered by the crosscurrents of love and jealousy, of self doubt and deep pain. A good story, well told.School Library Journal Interesting and well-defined characters, believable and vivid.Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books
Anthony, fifteen, helps his mother, a has-been actress, pay the bills by playing guitar in Central Park. One day he meets Kelly Callahan, a girl with a beautiful voice, singing in the park, and they work up an act together. They become successful street performers- and fall in love. But Kelly is not who she claims to be. When she reveals her true life, their friendship is severely tested. “A great deal of action. Will appeal to thoughtful teens.”—School Library Journal “Easy to read and lots of fun.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
In 1890’s South Dakota, Amy and Joshua escape from their mean Aunt Vootch. They plan to find their grandparents in New York, and manage to team up with a traveling magician, Mortimer Wintergreen, who is also New York bound. Mortimer owns a truly magic hat with a temperamental, mischievous mind of its own. Adventures abound as their way is blocked by outlaws, runaway hot-air balloons, geese, and their persistent Aunt Vootch. But the hat is always ready for action. “Buoyant comedy. A fine addition to stories that truly entertain.”—Kirkus pointer review. A Junior Literary Guild Selection.
Set in 1944 New York City, the story follows Alan Silverman, who initially resists befriending Naomi Kirshenbaum, a girl affected by her traumatic experiences in France during the war. As he learns about her struggles, his perspective shifts, and he begins to connect with her, discovering her intelligence and sense of humor. Despite their growing friendship, the lingering impact of war continues to haunt Naomi, highlighting the challenges of healing and trust amidst the backdrop of a tumultuous time.
Ramon Santiago, a fourteen-year-old street kid and poet, records his thoughts in a notebook. He is skilled with words and skilled with his knife, when needed. Alone, he wants to join a street gang to be macho, but to prove himself, he must rob an elderly artist down on his luck, Arnold Glasser. Glasser, as desperate as Ramon, is unafraid of Ramon's knife. From their mutual pain, an unorthodox friendship grows between them. But the gang is just a step behind Ramon, demanding loyalty above all else. "Grit, suspense, warmth, and wry humor."- Kirkus Reviews