At a very young age, Slim discovers an uncompromising, but self-sufficient lifestyle he feels he's essentially built for. Fast money in the dope game consumes him with its sense of freedom and control. As sweet as the game is to him, it comes with challenges that tests his commitment to what he claims to be. Slim's biggest and most challenging test comes when he's betrayed by the life he puts his heart into. It's a tragedy that causes him to question his commitment to who he claims to be. At a devastating point in his life when his love for his family conflicts with his love for the game, he struggles to remain faithful to a lifestyle which proves to be maliciously cold. One pivotal decision will reveal his character
There's a snake close to home that will do anything to keep Arnez and Lyrica separated. Will they be able to figure it out before it's too late or has too much happened for them to rekindle their past. Arnez was always able to protect Lyrica but can he save her from herself?
Accused, convicted, and given a thirty-year federal sentence for drug conspiracy that was contributed to me. They killed me. I have been dead to many for thirty whole years and killed internally. Humbled by my reality, constrained and constricted to limited space, unable to move after being buried by a court judgment. The judge recalled and revealed every character flaw that I ever demonstrated when he sentenced me to...thirty fucking years. I have survived the silence and secrecy of my death imposed upon me by the federal court. I have conquered my darkness, loneliness, and lifeless realities. No longer am I consumed by my burial. I have held my breath for the entire thirty years. I survived, I am now resurrected from the dead. I am here to tell my story.
“This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most.”—Dashka Slater, author of The 57 Bus “Brilliantly told in verse, readers will love Ken Sparks.” —Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery Honor winner “Lyrical, terrifying, and even at times funny. A richly detailed account of a little-known event in World War II.” —Kirkus Reviews “Middle grade Titanic fans, here’s your next read.” —BCCB “An edge-of-your seat survival tale.” —School Library Journal (starred review) A Junior Library Guild Selection The 2019 Golden Kite Middle Grade Fiction Award Winner A 2019 ALSC Notable Children’s Book The 2019–2020 Lectio Book Award Winner The 2020–2021 Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award List The 2020 Oklahoma Library Association’s Children’s Sequoyah Book Award Winner The Connecticut Book Award Winner In the tradition of The War That Saved My Life and Stella By Starlight, this poignant novel in verse based on true events tells the story of a boy’s harrowing experience on a lifeboat after surviving a torpedo attack during World War II. With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones—one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand—nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum’s glare. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger. They’re wrong. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive? Award-winning author Susan Hood brings this little-known World War II story to life in a riveting novel of courage, hope, and compassion. Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 is about believing in one another, knowing that only by banding together will we have any chance to survive.
