Virginia Euwer Wolff writes for young people, finding the adult publishing world too fraught with snobbery, whereas she feels children's authors begin each day with hope and honor their audience. Her narratives often delve into the complexities of adolescence, informed by her own experiences and a deep appreciation for music. Wolff possesses a distinctive voice, marked by empathy and insight, that allows her to connect profoundly with her readers. Her literary contributions are significant for their honest exploration of youthful struggles and triumphs.
LaVaughn's journey from the projects to the brink of college is filled with hope and determination. However, her senior year brings unsettling revelations that challenge her understanding of love and relationships. In her quest to unite those around her, she risks losing the opportunity she has worked tirelessly for, forcing her to confront the complexities of her aspirations and the impact of her choices on her future.
Navigating high school as a student in special education, Nick Swansen faces challenges like isolation and misunderstandings, yet he yearns for a typical teenage experience. Uncertain about attending prom, he boldly decides to ask Shana, defying expectations and societal norms. This story explores themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and the quest for connection, highlighting Nick's determination to embrace life despite his circumstances.
In this second novel of Wolff's "Make Lemonade" trilogy, 15-year old Verna LaVaughn is visited by Jody, a boy she knew as a child who comes back to the housing project where she lives. Jody behaves as if he's in love with her, but Jody is wrestling with questions of his own identity.
Allegra spends her twelfth summer practicing a Mozart concerto for a violin competition and finding many significant connections in her world.
In small town, post-World War Oregon, twenty-one sixth-grade girls recount the story of an annual softball game, during which one girl's bigotry comes to the surface. Set in a small Oregon town just after World War II, this is the powerful tale of a community shattered by its reaction to two young newcomers, Aki and Shazam. Told from 21 different points of view, "Bat 6" explores the subject of Japanese-American racial prejudice after the war. Photographs and text present an up-close look at varied aspects of the lives of professional basketball players, from pre-game preparations, practice, game action, signing autographs, and more. A Japanese American girl who has just spent 6 years in an internment camp meets a bitter girl whose father was killed in Pearl Harbor, & the two become rivals in baseball in this story narrated by the members of the opposing teams.
