Thirteen-year-old Jeff's life spirals downward into homelessness after his alcoholic mother loses her job.-- Provided by Publisher.

"Eleven-year-old Fin has never felt safe until she and her mother move to the magic-infused town of Aldermere in the Pacific Northwest, but when the town is suddenly overrun with disturbances Fin is the only one who knows why--and she's the only one who can stop the havoc"-- Provided by publisher.

After his mother's death in 1946, eleven-year-old Langston and his father leave behind their quiet life in Alabama and move to Chicago. Struggling to fit in and missing his mother, Langston finds refuge at the local library where, unlike his library in Alabama, blacks are just as welcome as whites to use. There he discovers the poetry of Langston Hughes and a secret--he was named after this very poet whose work his mother loved.

When Mama's pregnancy draws attention away from Gia, she worries that the special bond they share will disappear forever once the baby is born.

Creative, intelligent, nine-year-old Mina keeps a journal in her own disorderly way that reveals how her mind is growing into something extraordinary, especially after she begins homeschooling under the direction of her widowed mother.

Rachel Lee is enjoying a summer of baking class and flirting with her almost-boyfriend Evan until a rival cleaning business comes to town, stealing her mother's clients, and she must focus on protecting Lee Cleaners rather than Whit, her cute new classmate.

Over the course of a year, ten-year-old Tori endures a difficult and emotional journey after revealing that she has been sexually abused by her uncle.

Twelve-year-old Jane, who lives at the beach in a run-down old house with her mother, two brothers, and sister, has an eventful summer accompanying her pastor on bible deliveries, meeting former boyfriends of her mother's, and being coerced into babysitting for a family of ill-mannered children.

When almost-nine-year-old Carson Blum and his father move to Northern California, he is worried about adjusting to his new, large, public school and finding friends.

To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription meds wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.