DescriptionWe've got to go. Now. It's early morning and Danny's mother is at his bedside, urging him to get up. They're on the run from Chris, his mother's boyfriend, a violent man who beats them both up, and won't let them go. Chris pursues Danny and his mother from London to the north, where they take refuge with Danny's grandparents. But even there, nothing is safe. Danny is conspicuous as the only mixed-race boy in their small community, and with the ever-present threat of discovery, he has to learn how to live continually on the edge. A tense and chilling story to which the chase gives terrific drama, The Edge shows the depth of character, and the understanding of the predicaments of children today, that gives Alan Gibbons his special quality.
DescriptionCris Burks won widespread acclaim for her engaging first novel, SilkyDreamGirl . Burks' second offering follows the life of a determined girl struggling toward adulthood in 1950s Chicago. The devastating discovery that "Daddy" is not her real father opens a great chasm in Neecey's world and leads to Neecey's abusive mother bringing a succession of no-good men into the home. Nevertheless, as she grows into a woman, the resilient Neecey strives to overcome despair and forge a new life for herself.
DescriptionJake, a cruel and abusive husband, inexplicably sends Nan and her son to a Western dude ranch. There, they recover from their mistreatment, and meet Ben, the ranch owner. Ben is a Western man schooled by his faithless ex-wife in the ways of human unhappiness. Nan and Ben realize that they have much in common, and that they share a mutual attraction. However, Nan still has hopes that Jake can reform. But when Nan and her son return home, Jake's hostility drives the boy to attempt suicide. Nan gets the message that it's time to leave Jake and find a new life. This book will give hope to anyone in an abusive, silencing relationship.
DescriptionShelley Stewart is president of one of Alabama's largest advertising agencies, the co-owner of Birmingham's WATV-AM, and a well-known radio personality. In The Road South, Stewart delivers what Booklist calls, "an inspiring memoir that, despite its grim beginnings, is at times as lively and vivacious as radio patter". Spirited and striking, this is the story of a man who struggled against a society divided by color. Stewart recalls the death of his mother at his father's hands and the damage of abuse from other relatives. "I hope my story will do nothing if not inspire. If I can overcome the hurdles of poverty, abuse, and racism, then so can anyone." Shelley Stewart's memoir is full of hope and promise, even in the midst of the most dire situations. Dion Graham's thoughtful narration gives additional power to the emotions found in The Road South .
DescriptionJamie Reardon has always heard that bad things come in threes. So after his cat, Mister, dies, his father leaves, and his aunt Sapphy has an accident that causes her memory to develop a skip, Jamie hopes his life will go back to being as normal as cornfla…
