Book picks similar to
On the Western Front by Gary Jeffrey


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graphic-novels-manga
marcus
middle-grade

Rain Dance


Karen Wood - 2014
    'It's a big fancy ball, heaps of fun.' Boy, could this girl use some fun. And some rump steak.Holly shook her head.Kaydon gave up. Trying to make her smile was like doing a rain dance. There were clouds and rumblings, and a sprinkle here and there. But no amount of fancy footwork was going to make it happen for real.Holly Harvey doesn't want to move to Gunnedah, far from her friends and her home near the beach. And she's a vegetarian, so living on a beef property, with cattle yards, polo ponies and pig-shooting, makes it even worse. She and Kaydon are worlds apart - until a fight breaks out at the fundraising ball.Another addictive romance from the author of Jumping Fences.

My Crazy Life (Nina the Friendly Vampire #1)


Katrina Kahler - 2018
    What are Glitters? Well obviously they glitter and they cause havoc and chaos among the humans. Why have you never heard of Glitters...well that's because only vampires can see them. And let's face it, you can't fight something that you are unaware of! But you've probably seen the results of Glitters on humans, they like to make humans do silly and naughty things. Why does a baby eat its own poop? Yes, Glitters! Why do teenagers dye their hair several colours when they know it is banned at school? Hmmm...Glitters again. Nina and her handsome (but naive brother) Frank meet up with some cool kids at their new school. Nina is particularly interested in a great-looking boy called Jimmy. Not only is he very handsome, but he also has a great personality and Nina and Jimmy immediately fall for each other. But that is where the moms get in the way. You see, Jimmy's family come from a long line of vampire hunters! Read this great adventure story to find out if the two teens can overcome their inherited differences and if the Glitters can be found and destroyed. If you liked Super Girl and Girl Power, you'll love this book. Perfect for boys and girls aged 9-12.

Nyce


Shataya Simms - 2017
    Residing in a North Philly projects, James believes that basketball is his key to getting him and his family out of poverty. Dubbed “Nyce” due to his dominance on the court, he catches the eye of notorious drug lord Anthony “Tone” Middlebrooks who takes the young, impressionable boy under his wing. As their bond forms, Tone becomes like an older brother to Nyce who believes that he simply wants to look out for him. However, through Tone’s cunning ways, Nyce becomes entangled into the seductive world of drugs, money, and mayhem. Battling with his inner demons of a repeated cycle of good vs evil, Nyce hates that Tone has tricked him into this lifestyle by threatening to harm his family. Will Nyce bow down and submit; continuing to be one of Tone’s pawns, or will he manipulate the game and come out on top?

BITTER TOO: (BITTER 2)


Shakela James - 2017
    Long before I was a baby mama, I was a woman in a so-called man’s-world. My bitterness started long before I gave birth. The odds were against me since the day I was born and falling in love only made it worse. Sometimes as women, we wear our strength so well that we forget to take it off at night. We fall asleep with the weight of the world on our backs and wake up feeling the marks that are left on our souls. Still, we get up each day to face a world that doesn't love or respect us. Sometimes, we give our all knowing that we’ll receive nothing in return. I think that's enough to make anyone bitter. I sacrificed my life, my body, my sanity, and my heart only to be disrespected, mistreated, and overlooked. If you walked a mile in my shoes, you'd probably be bitter too.

Urban Tales (The Mercers #1)


Mercy B. - 2017
    But to the Mercer's, it's known as home. Urban Tales is a series created by Mercy B that depicts the lives of four brothers - Nieem, Navee, Nylam, and Lodie - who reigns supreme from corner to corner of their poverty infested projects. Southside is where they sold their first piece of stolen goods, hit their first piece of pussy, and even caught their first body. No deed goes undone, no stone unturned, and not a thing is deemed off limits when the Mercer's are involved -with the exception of their most beautiful treasure, Laitleigh. Laitleigh is the younger sister of four overbearing brothers who are set on her success. While she's grateful for their leadership and protection, she yearns to seek the benefits and misfortunes of Southside with her own eyes. Determined to spread her wings, she embarks on a life of independency and sworn secrecy. Laitleigh breaks the barriers of involuntary confinement and uncovers a life of sex, drugs, and money that she's too enthralled with to return to the fairytale life that was designed for her at the hands of her brothers. Urban Tales is a riveting yet comforting story based in the mid-90s that will touch the depths of your soul and keep the brim of your brain buzzing.

The Streets Raised Me


Deyona "Yona" Pearson - 2015
    Money and her daughter was all that mattered to her. She was tossed to the wolves in the mean streets of West Philadelphia by her own father, but she played the game and came back the leader of the pack. Once she realized the power of the gold between her legs, she used it to her advantage to survive. When the infamous Tre waltzes right into her life, he has her questioning everything. Her heart is screaming for her to let love fill it, but the life she lives keep calling her. Just when she decides to give in to happiness, the drama begins. Her dad is out to destroy her every hope and dream, while Tre may not be the man that she thought he was. Will Cherish be able to survive the drama, or will the streets eat her alive?

The Phoenix Code


Helen Moss - 2014
    Can Ryan and Cleo unravel the mystery and solve the phoenix code before it's too late?

You Put A Move On My Heart


Diamond D. Johnson - 2016
    Jarvis Banks was sentenced to five years in prison, leaving behind his girl, Shonte Howard. What Shonte and Jarvis shared was that real, ghetto love, and everybody hoped for a relationship that the two of them shared. But everything that glitters isn’t gold. While from the outside looking in, the two may have had the best relationship, but boy if Jarvis wasn’t taking advantage of Shonte’s heart.So, what happens when Jarvis Banks is finally released from prison and comes home to see that the love of his life is now engaged? Jarvis is a man who is used to getting what he wants, so he will stop at nothing to get his girl back. While he’s fighting to get her, Shonte is holding back a secret from Jarvis that could be detrimental to both of them.Come take a ride with this Miami couple and find out if Mr. Banks is able to put that move on Shonte’s heart.

All The Things Money Can't Buy


Krystal Armstead - 2015
    She runs and owns a tattoo shop with her cousin, Kourtney. Kourtney is tired of seeing her cousin down and out. She convinces her cousin to get back into the dating scene again, forcing Nina to confront her hurtful past.Nina grew up on a naval base in San Diego, California. When Nina was fourteen, she met and fell for an older musician by the name of Ricque Cole. What started off as tutoring to get him caught up on his schoolwork turned into a beautiful relationship, but more than that, the two became best friends. They confided in one another and depended on each other to get through the tough times. Nina struggled with the feelings of neglect that her mother placed upon her; Ricque struggled with the life that his parents left him to deal with.Circumstances pull the young couple from one another, forcing Nina to keep a secret that should have never been kept. Heartbreaking decisions were made, and Nina’s conscience begins to weigh down on her. After a tragic event, Nina’s aunt invites her to come live with her in Goldsboro, North Carolina.After almost sixteen years of living with guilt and anguish, Nina meets a handsome club owner by the name of Santiago Dominguez. Feelings start to flourish, and Nina can’t seem to shake the fact that the new man in her life has similarities to the old one. Just when Nina decides that it’s time to move on, her past confronts her with open arms.

Conflict: Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse


Joshua Jared Scott - 2014
    Civilization is in ruins. Cities have fallen. Shambling corpses wander the back roads and highways of America. Places of safety grow ever more rare as bands of survivors find themselves under siege. Even so, a handful have managed to hang on. Among these is Jacob Thornton who, along with a small group of friends, has built a home in the wilderness. Isolated and protected by thick walls, they made it through the early, dreadful months and the harsh winter that followed. Wanting more, the group decides to seek out others in the hope of bolstering their numbers and creating a true community. Not all who have survived the change seek a return to normalcy. There are those who embrace the collapse and chaos. Most such men have since perished, but there exists a single unified force, an army crisscrossing the land attacking all they encounter, leaving nothing but battered, violated bodies in their wake. Guided by a shadowy prophet, these raiders have targeted those few settlements and outposts still standing.

Syn: Sex Is Syn, Love Is Pain


J. Peach - 2016
    With a junky for a mother who would sell her just for a quick fix and an absentee father, life was unbearable. At a young age, Angel learned to fend for herself to survive this cold, cruel world. With her less than perfect childhood, it's no surprise that her attempts at love failed; making her come to the realization men DON'T love, they only care about the pleasurable favors one could offer them. To endure heartbreak and the life that was forced upon her, she created an alter ego... SYN. Syn, unlike Angel, was built to deal with any situation. The only thing that mattered to her was sex and money. Growing up in an abusive home, Parker James became void of all feelings, which caused him to live reckless and not care whether he lived or died. Until one day he walked into a strip joint and his eyes landed on her. The pain and loneliness in her eyes pulled at the strings in Parker’s heart, giving it an unrecognizable double beat. She caused something to stir in him, and he knew he had to have her, and he was willing to do whatever it took to get her.

Saved By A Kingpin


Chase Sidora - 2016
    Not only that, she is strikingly gorgeous, witty, and smart. But she is also damaged. No matter how many great qualities she possesses; Riley has ended up scorned by love time and time again. This time though, when love leaves her with absolutely nothing and she is ready to call it quits once and for all, she finds refuge in an unlikely place. Mason Moore is handsome, wealthy, and noble. But for every positive attribute there is an even stronger, much more ruthless quality hidden underneath the surface. Growing up the son of a street legend in Passaic, New Jersey’s Aspen Place Projects, Mase has been groomed for the street life ever since he could remember. So when Mase inherited his title of Kingpin along with all the burdens that came along with it when his father was murdered in cold blood he was up for the challenge. Along with his childhood friend Steele, Mase has prided himself on his ability to continue to build and grow the organization that was handed to him with ease… that is until money turns up missing and a new flame threatens to knock him off of his square. Riley and Mase hit it off instantly and seem to be made for each other but can they really trust the fairytale their connection appears to be? Is it real or is their love circumstantial? Are they entertaining the idea of something that isn’t meant to last? With both their pasts hell bent on being a part of their futures, falling in love with each other could cost Mase and Riley not only their relationship but also their lives.

The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!


Maureen Straka - 2018
    Things get even worse when a new boy moves in next door and a bully starts picking on him. Alex feels caught in the middle. If he defends the new kid, he may become the bully's next target. Alex soon finds out that the bully is hiding a secret that could change everything. Will Alex find the courage to do the right thing and stand up for the new kid? And can he survive middle school on his own? He'll soon learn that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.

I'm 13 Years Old And I Changed The World


D.K. Brantley - 2018
    He's got to find a cure. That’s right—Adam's 13 years old, and he's about to change the world.From the Publisher: The follow-up to D.K. Brantley’s I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World, this book tackles the difficult topics of childhood cancer, dealing with death, and battling addiction. I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World is an open admission that bad things happen to good people. And while you often can’t fix the bad situation, you can make it better if you’re willing to be a friend.We hope this book comforts those who are dealing with childhood cancer, death, or addiction and increases empathy for all.

My Polished, Professional Thug: A Paranormal Romance


Pebbles Starr - 2017
    But what if he’s real? Mendesa is a young girl, with a good head on her shoulders and big dreams. Sometimes they’re too big. As she’s navigating through life, she soon finds out that sometimes our dreams are bigger than us for a reason. Skot is everything your mama warned you about, wrapped in an Armani suit. He’s heartless, and will stop at nothing to secure the bag. Even if means destroying the life of the person who saved his. His treacherous ways don’t necessarily make him a bad guy, more so just misunderstood. With more secrets than a closed FBI file, Skot might learn too late that money isn’t everything. There’s more than meets the eye to these two. Inexplicable dreams, chance encounters, and dark souls are working over time. But what does it mean? Will Mendesa’s naivety cloud her vision, or will she learn that some dreams are not meant to be reality? Can Skot spot the snakes in his midst, or will his greed cause him to pay the ultimate price? Emmanuel aka “Mann” is Mendesa’s twin brother and they share a bond, like most twins do. However, that may not always be a good thing. Drugs and alcohol don’t do anything but make the darkness in his heart darker. Manipulating the people around him and striking fear in their hearts is what he does best. Will his destructive nature swallow his loved ones whole, or can they avoid being dragged to hell with him? It’s not every day you read about some paranormal shit in the hood, but this polished, professional thug is no ordinary street nigga. Come along on this tale of love, sex, and sorcery. It’s as juicy as it is spell-binding!