Hughes, Dean

Recent high school graduate Rick Ward, undecided about his future and eager to escape his unhappy home life, joins the army and experiences the horrors of the war in Vietnam.

Eleven-year-old Sterling Malone tries out for quarterback because his father thinks African-Americans need to prove they can be leaders, but Sterling isn't sure he wants to be a leader.

Although he is a basketball whiz, seventh-grader Aaron Reeves must learn to be a team player in order to make friends on the basketball team at his new school.

Thirteen-year-old Kim is a star in softball, basketball, and volleyball, but when she begins playing soccer she fears she will let the team down.

Trying to hold onto the newfound stability of his life in a foster home, thirteen-year-old David worries about the growing moodiness of his guardian Paul and the fluctuating fortunes of his Pony League baseball team.

Three third-grade rookies who make the Little League baseball team aren't immediately accepted by the older players.

When Trent's best friend Robbie and another teammate on the Scrappers begin bragging about their baseball abilities, Trent worries that it will affect the team's play.

As the Scrappers continue to advance toward the summer championship, Jeremy and his fellow players work to improve their baseball skills.

Because Gloria chews out her team members whenever they mess up, she sets the tone for infighting which in turn causes the coach to quit and leaves the future of the team in question.

A lonely ninth grader struggling with a sense of responsibility for his father's suicide learns that his new friend has cancer.