Difficult Family Relationships

Things That Are continues the story of Bobby Phillips - the boy who woke up one day to find himself invisible - and his friend and confidante, a blind girl named Alicia. Bobby is returning from college visits in New York, and Alicia has decided to finally confront him about her feelings. But a mysterious character with an affliction similar to Bobby's and some surprise visits from the FBI threaten to destroy everything.

Lex, a teenage Grim Reaper, has the power to damn souls - and it’s getting out of control. Her boyfriend, Driggs, is dead - sort of. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.

My name is Caitlin, and up until 48 hours ago, I had never: tasted alcohol, kissed a boy, sang in public at the top of my lungs, kidnapped anyone, or - what? Stolen a convertible? Now I'm in jail, and I have no idea what I'm going to tell: the police, my parents, the mayor, all of those camera crews, and everyone on Twitter. I have just noticed that: my nose is pierced, and I have - wait? Is that a tattoo? I blame one person for this entire insane weekend: my famous cousin.

Oh. No. This can't be happening. Me and Sean Reed? Trust Partners for the entire counselors-in-training program? Sean may have deep blue eyes that make my heart flutter whenever he looks at me, but he's always been a troublemaker. Being thrown together all summer? That is so not going to work. Even if he does have a really, really nice smile. Trust me on this.

At the age of 15, a girl who has spent most of her life moving around the country with her father and brother remembers her real name, Sherica, and is moved to search the Internet to learn the truth about her mother and her own past.

In this book, we will attempt to give you a foundation on bullying and how it pertains to today's way of life. We will also talk to you about ways as a parent that you can change your ways of thinking and how not to pass what we have learned as children onto our children.

After years of bullying, Joshua Harper’s life has completely turned around, thanks in no small part to his girlfriend, Eve Devereaux. With the holidays approaching, he’s started to realize that as tough as being in a relationship is, finding her the perfect gift may be even tougher. Christmas is the season for giving. But what do you give the girl to whom you owe everything? Listen to find out.

Life is looking up for Xavier. Things are good with Jennie, his baseball coach believes in him, he's earned the role of closer, and his dad's coming home after serving 10 years. But making up for lost time with his dad doesn't go as Xavier had hoped. It seems his dad's always angry with him. Or drinking. Or out. Or lecturing Xavier on what it means to be a man. When the tension at home builds, Xavier's own hot temper flares, threatening to send him down the same path as his father.

Deja's mom has never been there when Deja needed her. She's lied, run off, and gotten into trouble with the law more times than anyone can count. She always promises to change - and always breaks those promises. Now - 17 years after Deja was born in prison - her mom is back behind bars and having another baby. Deja agrees to raise baby Heaven until her mother returns home. She's determined to give Heaven the loving family life Deja never had. But being a substitute parent is harder than Deja expected.

Every adult wants to give DeQuin advice. His father, who's serving a life sentence, thinks DeQuin needs to toughen up. His uncle wants DeQuin to work hard and keep his head down. Then there's his grandfather, lecturing DeQuin at every turn - when he's not rambling about his glory days in the 1960s civil rights movement. DeQuin is doing fine without their help - until a fun night with friends gets out of control. Now he has to deal with the fallout. Should he fight, as his dad suggests? Should he run and hide, as his uncle would do? Or should he follow his grandfather's example?

Everyone has secrets in high school. But no one has a secret quite like Camila Hernandez's. For as long as Camila can remember, her mother has been in prison. And Camila has tried to make sure no one finds out. She avoids all friendships. She keeps to herself. Because if people get too close to her, they might find out the truth. And once they know, they will see her only as a criminal's daughter. Sure, some of Camila's classmates also have parents doing time. But her mother isn't any ordinary criminal. Her mother is on death row.

Todd and Tina Morgan were both there the night their mother died. They both saw their father kill her. But they can't agree on what actually happened. To Tina, their father is a murderer. Their mother was trying to defend herself. To Todd, their father is a protector. He saved Todd and Tina when their mother turned a knife on them. Now their father is on the run. Todd and Tina are in separate foster placements. Todd knows there's only one way to clear his dad's name: Get Tina to change her story. Get her to tell the truth. But the truth may not be as simple as Todd thought.

High school freshman High school freshman Roman Santi has everything - good looks, great friends, a mansion with an infinity swimming pool - except the one thing he really wants. A relationship with his father. When Roman’s life gets turned upside down, (thanks, Mom!?), he is forced to leave his pampered Hollywood lifestyle and move into his grandparents’ Midwestern home. Sleeping on a lumpy pullout sofa and starting at a new high school is the worst.

"Was he...you know?" Bella doesn't know if Dominic was gay or not, but she knows he was bullied. And she knows the adults who could have helped didn't because of some stupid policy. Now Dominic's dead. It's never been Bella's thing to stand up for a cause, but for some reason, this fight has become her fight.

Norval and Arnie are two of the stars on the Southside High football team. They're best friends off the field, too, and they're both hoping to play college ball someday. When Coach Green asks Norval to watch Arnie for signs of a concussion, it sounds like spying. But is betraying Arnie the best way for Norval to help his friend?

It was never going to be easy growing up black in a predominantly white western culture, but with the help of her afro sisters from another mother and Oz besties, Tabitha wouldn’t have to do it alone. Tabitha’s family were born in East Africa but had moved to Australia, where Tabitha was born. She was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Africa frequently and considered both Africa and Australia home. Unapologetically Black follows the life of Tabitha and her family and friends as they explore what it’s like to be black in Western culture.

I know from experience that even with the most wholesome upbringing and respectable parenting, some kids insist on doing wrong, and are tempted to lie, steal, and cheat because of the way their brains are wired. There comes a time when you realize prayer may be the most powerful action left to take. You've done it all, but now it's time to give them the tools of prayer to overcome their weaknesses. This book takes specific Scriptures from the book of Proverbs, for each day of a month, and turns them into prayers, from either the child's or the parent's perspectives.