Last year, Jerry Flack was a dork. So this year, at a new school in a new town, he's decided to start a new life altogether--as a Cool Kid. He's been preparing all summer: studying teen magazines, acquiring hair gel, and distressing his jeans. Things get off to a good start, and before you know it, Jerry's in, Rollerblading with the pros. But soon, Jerry finds himself tangled up in a complicated web of lies; and what's more, he's battling a terrible urge to put his glasses back on, join the science team, build a hovercraft, and, worst of all, date Brenda, a 100% geek. Does he really want to be a dork in disguise forever?

Mick Sullivan likes reading thrillers, daydreaming about Tabitha Slater, and teasing his archenemy, Boot Quinn.

Boot Quinn likes playing his guitar, daydreaming about Tabitha Slater, and punching his adversary, Mick Sullivan.

The two eighth graders are rivals in every way, and with two fights in the first week of school, they've set the stage for a yearlong showdown. That is, until a new principal arrives on the scene and forces Mick and Boot to spend an hour and a half each day playing games together. Two enemies, one small room, and no adult supervision—battle lines are bound to be crossed.

As the wins and losses are tallied, the boys find themselves fighting for their classmates' attention, a cute girl's affection, and their own fathers' respect.

But how far are they willing to go to win? And who are they really fighting?

There's only one way to find out.

Game on.

Here at his new school, with his new friends, Jerry Flack is shedding his former dorky image and feeling better about himself -- almost normal, even. So when he first thinks about running for class president, it seems like a great idea. But before Jerry can even decide to run, he discovers that he already has an opponent: someone willing to do almost anything to convince the whole class that no one wants a dork for president. How can Jerry run for president if it means risking a return to the depths of dorkdom?

Mick Sullivan likes reading thrillers, daydreaming about Tabitha Slater, and teasing his archenemy, Boot Quinn.

Boot Quinn likes playing his guitar, daydreaming about Tabitha Slater, and punching his adversary, Mick Sullivan.

The two eighth graders are rivals in every way, and with two fights in the first week of school, they've set the stage for a yearlong showdown. That is, until a new principal arrives on the scene and forces Mick and Boot to spend an hour and a half each day playing games together. Two enemies, one small room, and no adult supervision—battle lines are bound to be crossed.

As the wins and losses are tallied, the boys find themselves fighting for their classmates' attention, a cute girl's affection, and their own fathers' respect.

But how far are they willing to go to win? And who are they really fighting?

There's only one way to find out.

Game on.

Last year, Jerry Flack was a dork. So this year, at a new school in a new town, he's decided to start a new life altogether--as a Cool Kid.He's been preparing all summer: studying teen magazines, acquiring hair gel, and distressing his jeans. Things get off to a good start, and before you know it, Jerry's in, Rollerblading with the pros. But soon, Jerry finds himself tangled up in a complicated web of lies; and what's more, he's battling a terrible urge to put his glasses back on, join the science team, build a hovercraft, and, worst of all, date Brenda, a 100% geek. Does he really want to be a dork in disguise forever?

Carol Gorman perfectly captures the horror and hilarity of the middle-school social scene in this fast-paced and funny take on what it really means to be yourself.

This dramatic and moving story set in the days of the Negro Leagues illustrates the true meanings of friendship, prejudice, and heroism.

Charlie Nebraska wants two things he can't get: to make the local Wildcats baseball team and to have life to return to the way it was before his father died two years earlier in the Korean War. Then Charlie meets Luther Peale, a former Negro Baseball League player who agrees to coach Charlie's fledgling neighborhood baseball team for a game against the Wildcats.

But many of Charlie's white neighbors are suspicious of Luther, and when Charlie inadvertently reveals a secret of Luther's, violence erupts in the town and both Luther and Charlie are drawn into serious danger.
Praise for STUMPTOWN KID:

"Readers will enjoy this winning mix of sports, suspense, and heroism, and delight in the baseball wit and wisdom." --School Library Journal
- Honorable mention, 2005 Gustavus Myers Award
- 2006 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
- 2005-6 Pennsylvania Young Adult Top Forty List
- Kansas State Reading Circle 2005 Recommended Reading List
...

But this year, in a new town, at a new school, things have gotten better. His social life isn't quite as embarrassing as it once was. In fact, he feels almost normal. That is, until he thinks about running for class president.

At first it seems like a great idea -- being in the Student government might even be cool. But before Jerry can even decide to run, he discovers that he already has an opponent: someone willing to do almost anything to get Jerry not to run -- someone who wants to convince the whole class that no one wants a dork for president.

Is it worth the risk of running for class president if it means a return to the depths of dorkdom?