Book picks similar to
Skateboard Blues by Sydell Voeller
ages-12-up
author-requested-review
personal-growth
strong-female-characters
Fight Or Flight (Tempted Series Generation 2.0)
Janine Infante Bosco - 2020
And so did my country. But going to war changes a man.It hardens him and leaves him bitter.It breaks him.I'm Eric Montgomery, and while sacrifice has always been my God given right, I never intended to lose everything.I never intended to lose her.Now, I'm staring at the bottom of an empty bottle, alone, trying to decide if I should fight or take flight.
Pursuit of His Presence: Daily Devotions to Strengthen Your Walk with God
Kenneth Copeland - 1998
With more than 125,000 copies sold of Pursuit of His Presence, this new edition brings the same life-changing devotions to readers, helping them know the wisdom, grace and power of God. (July)
Path of Thieves
Sunniva Dee - 2017
At sundown, the seventeen-year-old turns burglar, forced into the business by the man who should be teaching him the difference between right and wrong: his father.Cugs is a pro at both games, but only one can secure him a college scholarship. It should be an easy decision, a no-brainer—if Newbark hadn't proffered the only life he knows.After run-ins with Nadine Paganelli, his accidental victim and the sole person to have caught him in the act, Cugs starts to realize that hearts can be stolen too.When his long-lost sister makes contact, lies are uncovered and truths revealed. Suddenly, Cugs finds himself questioning both plans and loyalties. Because sometimes the only way to move forward is by pulling the bottom out of the past.
Rush
Jayme H. Mansfield - 2017
In competition with desperate homesteaders, ruthless land seekers, and a sheriff determined to see her fail, Mary rides out on a horse to strike her claim in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893. When she finally thrusts her flag into the dirt, 160 acres becomes her own. But with that claim, she risks more than she could ever imagine. A naïve school teacher and young mother abandoned by her hard-drinking, gold-seeking husband—whom she now believes to be dead—Mary is faced with letting go of a past riddled with loss, hardship, and reminders that a woman isn't capable of surviving on her own. Daniel McKenzie, an illustrative journalist sent on assignment to document the race, has his own past to forget. Bound by a lost love and guilt from a haunting event in the streets of Boston, he wonders whether he will ever know happiness again. Will Mary's and Daniel's stubborn and independent spirits keep them mired in the past? Or will two broken hearts find forgiveness and love in the wild plains of the Midwest?
Down the Memory Hole
Bonnie Turner - 2005
The thought of giving up his friendship is bad enough. But how can he relate to someone who forgets his grandson's name, wears adult diapers, and thinks dog biscuits are people cookies-someone who could die in the night and scare Buzz right out of puberty. Buzz thinks Alzheimer's is caused by a traumatic event, such as the train accident that killed Grandpa's brother Barkley in childhood. The situation turns deadly when Buzz and Mitch-whose friendship Buzz refuses to end-attempt to cure Grandpa of Alzheimer's disease by recreating the train accident on a hot summer day. (Ages 12-14/YA)
The Greatest Gift in World
Og Mandino - 1981
The easy to read and beautifully illustrated The Greatest Gift in the World is the product of thousands of letters requesting a child's version of Og Mandino's classic The Greatest Salesman In The World.
the Trouble with Hate is...
Elizabeth Stevens - 2019
…it’s safer. …it’s often not hate at all. The Granger and Drake families have been through everything together; the suicide of the eldest Granger son, the Drake patriarch’s cancer diagnosis, family holidays with only slight maiming, and more dance recitals than anyone would care to remember. Leilani Granger can’t stand the person Casper Drake has become, and Casper doesn’t even recognise his best mate’s little sister anymore. Loving each other is second-nature, but they don’t know how not to hate each other either. As they face losing Leilani’s only remaining brother and Casper’s best mate to his inner demons, old habits lead them back to each other for comfort. But, after one night of a deeper connection than either of them were ready for, the lines between the emotional and the physical start to blur. Leilani wasn’t the kind to lose herself in meaningless sex. Casper’s been doing it for years. It's the only time they can forget the storm clouds in their lives. It’s the only time they can remember the sunshine. It’s the only time hate doesn’t get in the way. But, the trouble with hate is…it’s often not hate at all. NB: Contains mature content. Not suitable for younger readers. Please be aware that this story is set in Australia and therefore uses Australian English spelling and syntax.
Eating Bull
Carrie Rubin - 2015
Tossed into a storm of media buzz and bullying, the teen draws the attention of a serial killer who’s targeting the obese. Soon the boy, the nurse, and their loved ones take center stage in a delusional man’s drama. Through fiction, "Eating Bull" explores the real-life issues of bullying, fat-shaming, food addiction, and the food industry’s role in obesity.
Everybody, Always Study Guide: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People
Bob Goff - 2018
To the world around us, this kind of unconditional love makes little sense. The world is really good at loving some people, sometimes. Most of us are. But what about loving people who don't talk like us, think like us, vote like us, or see the world like we do?In this five-session video Bible study (DVD/streaming video sold separately), Bob points the way to embodying love by doing the unexpected, the intimidating, the seemingly impossible--to love everybody the way Jesus loved them--without fear, insecurity, or reservations...Love everybody: Begin by loving people right where you are through serving and helping the neighbors God has placed in your world. Love always: Love people when they mess up, and help them move past the place of shame to acceptance. Love God: Be courageous and follow where God leads one step at a time--even if you feel like you're flying blind. Love now: Don't just agree with Jesus, but actually step out and do what Jesus said. Each session explores a different aspect of unconditional love:Love People Where You Are Catch People on the Bounce Don’t Play It Safe Look at What’s in Your Bucket Love Even the Difficult PeopleFollowing Christ means more than just putting a toe in the water when it comes to loving others. It means grabbing your knees and doing a cannonball! And, as Jesus revealed, it means loving the difficult ones. The Everybody, Always Study Guide provides practical steps to help you take that journey.Includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions, and a leader's guide.Designed for use with the Everybody, Always Video Study (9780310095361), sold separately.
Life Is Yours to Win: Lessons Forged from the Purpose, Passion, and Magic of Baseball
Augie Garrido - 2011
He is also the winner of more National Coach of the Year awards than any other college coach. Garrido’s former teams at Cal State Fullerton and, more recently, at the University of Texas together have compiled a total of five College World Series championships under his leadership. But despite his unmatched record as a winner, Coach Garrido is not a win-at-all-costs coach. He teaches his players to focus on developing character, being good teammates, mastering all facets of the game, and playing with joy in the moment rather than focusing on the scoreboard. Augie teaches that the challenges faced in the batter’s box or on the pitcher’s mound are universal—and that the lessons learned on the diamond are applicable off the field, too. Life Is Yours to Win follows the coach’s journey of self-discovery and his evolution from being driven by fear to being motivated by passion. His unique and compelling book offers this revered leader’s philosophy on life and his thoughtful approach to helping young men understand both who they are and how they can be successful in their work, their relationships, and their communities. Every individual will find advice worth following including: •BE A PLAYER, NOT A PROSPECT—If you want to be considered a star in your field, whatever that may be, you need to be fully engaged. Augie once had his Labrador retriever demonstrate the joy of play to a team that needed a reminder of why they loved baseball as children. •STEP UP, SUPERMAN—Augie stages a costumed Superhero Scrimmage each Halloween to remind his players that their inner superhero is just waiting for the perfect moment when preparation meets opportunity, potential is fulfilled, and destiny is realized. •THE FEARLESS FIELD—To be successful in the often cruel game of baseball, players must master fear and other emotions so they are energized rather than paralyzed. Augie once rented a hearse and placed a casket on the pitcher’s mound to help a slumping Cal State Fullerton team bury their fears and put losses behind them. •BUDDHA AT BAT—Bunting and other “small ball” skills are not as glorified as home runs and big plays, but Coach Garrido’s teams are known for putting players in scoring position and winning games by following a Zen-like philosophy of claiming small victories during each at bat, in each inning that add up to winning records. Augie’s coaching methods are unconventional, but his creativity and wry humor provide masterful life lessons. His insights will help you both on and off the field by providing fresh approaches to conquering fears, living with joy and passion in each moment, establishing personal principles, and appreciating the value of both losing and winning. This is a book by a beloved college coach but it is packed with Major League insights and anecdotes featuring many of baseball’s greatest players and most inspiring spirits. Life Is Yours to Win will appeal to anyone who appreciates the wisdom of a proven winner in sports and in life.
The Collar and the Cavvarach
Annie Douglass Lima - 2015
But only victory in the Krillonian Empire's most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie's escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time. With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?
The Seventh
S.D. Wasley - 2015
No less than three ghosts follow her around, and only she can see them. At her last school, she was known as the girl with imaginary friends. Now Mimi’s starting fresh in a new town, where she’s determined to make some real friends and fit in for once. She’s ready for a normal life... except Mimi never counted on her fascination with troubled goth-boy, Drew. When she’s invited to join the elite Gifted Program, Mimi discovers she’s not the only one at the school with an unusual talent. Maybe being normal isn’t even an option anymore.
L.I.E.
David Hollander - 2000
It’s the late eighties in Long Island, New York, and eighteen-year-old Harlan Kessler plays in a band, parties with friends, and struggles with a family that offers anything but a Kodak moment. The one ray of hope in Harlan’s life is Sarah DeRosa. With her by his side, Harlan just might make the right choices between love and aggression, intimacy and absence, finding himself and losing his mind. . . .
Don't Trust the Impostor
Victorine E. Lieske - 2019
And charming. And a total fake. Destiny couldn't help but like Eli. He was cute and always knew what to say to make her pulse race. But she was dating Jack so she kept her distance. Too bad Jack was treating her like a jerk. When she finally decided to dump the jerk so she could go out with Eli, she overhears Eli talking on the phone and finds out the truth. Eli was not actually into her. He was being paid to flirt with her. Destiny swears she will never speak to Eli again. But he won't stop. Her heart is torn. Can she trust the impostor?
Suburban Girl's Rebellion
India Lee - 2011
Gorgeous boys. Endless parties. And a mother who can't say sh*%.Laurel Rixon thinks she likes being the good girl. She has a flawless GPA, a best friend who idolizes her, and a football playing boyfriend. Skipping parties to study is fine when you need to impress your perfect mother and of course, your insanely hot History teacher. Laurel Rixon loved being a good girl.That is until her world at school turns upside down and her own perfect mother makes the mistake of her life. Now Laurel's ready to abandon the good for the bad, and it's just so easy when no one can tell you what to do anymore. With a limitless credit card, a new look, and a new clique of beautiful friends, Laurel's ready to live the life she never knew she wanted.But when you've spent your life on the good side, making up for lost time can get ugly.Novel Length: appr. 58,000 Words + Single Chapter Excerpt from Hidden Gem