Eighteen-year-old Jos? serves as the bridge between his non-English speaking family and the rest of the world, and because his parents are illegal immigrants and extended family lives with them, money is tight so Jos? works nights and arrives at school so tired that teachers at his alternative high school step in to help.
"Jackson James wants three things: to succeed in MMA, to join the military like his father, and to protect his little brother from the dangers all around him. With so many challenges, and the wrinkle of a new romance, Jackson struggles to maintain control."--Provided by publisher.
"Meghan's the toughest girl in her dojo with a great future in the sport, but behind her is a painful history. Betrayed by a parent and by a coach, Meghan trusts only two old friends: one who pushes her to confront her past, the other who pulls Meghan down with her in a pill-popping daze"--Provided by publisher.
When Brian attains his goal of being a starter on the Troy, Ohio, Central High Trojan football team, as was his father, he enjoys new privileges but is exposed to terrible behavior that adults tolerate because "boys will be boys.".
After getting out of reform school, DeAndre lands back in the life that put him there: racing souped-up cars with stolen parts. But in trying to earn back his Detroit cred, and his girlfriend, he will learn what it really means to win.
A new kid comes to town and things get off to a rough start with the local teenage tuners. His only shot at acceptance is beating the local top dog (who buys his cars rather than builds them) at a drifting showdown on a legendary local road.
Seventeen-year-old Christy wants only to finish high school and escape her Flint, Michigan, home, where she cooks, cleans, cares for her niece, and tries to fend off her half-brother, a drug dealer who has been abusing her since she was eleven.
"Hector Morales's father used to be a gold glove champion boxer, but now he's an alcoholic loser. Disappointed by his family, his best friend, and his girlfriend, Hector keeps his chin down, mouth shut, and eyes focused on winning his first professional MMA fight"--Provided by publisher.
