Six short stories about teens in crisis are presented with alternate male and female narrators. Story lines include such young adult concerns as teen pregnancy, abortion, abusive partners, racism, failing at school, a fatal auto accident after a party where alcohol was served, and coping with family obligations to care for an aging relative.

Melissa doesn't consider herself abused-Rudy only hits her occasionally when he's drinking-until she realizes the effect his abuse is having on their child. Finally Melissa leaves Rudy, and she and Cheyenne go to the shelter for battered women. As difficulties with group living arise, however, she misses the good times with Rudy. The clarity of Melissa's decision soon fades, and she finds herself again in a dangerous situation, more trapped than ever before.

When their mother is called to Iraq with her National Guard Unit, 17-year-old Mario Barajas and his 10-year-old brother, Eddie, move in with their Aunt Carmen. Eddie, hungry for the love of a father, happily soaks up the attention their aunt's boyfriend, Denton, freely gives. Mario is caught up with a girlfriend who is his first love, with high school soccer, and with work. He barely notices as his little brother becomes more and more withdrawn. Then, returning home earlier than expected one evening, he walks in on the terrible secret. Mario must take desperate measures to protect Eddie....

At the age of twelve, Cassie is old enough to babysit. But when the father of two children for whom she babysits fondles her, Cassie is too confused and embarrassed to know what to do. She becomes more and more frightened as he continues to aggressively molest her. At last, she tells her teenage cousin, Lisa, and together they try to find ways to cope. Lisa realizes the escalating situation is more than the two of them can handle on their own and she breaks her vow of silence. The story explores the conflicting emotions of a young adolescent and the concern of parents who must protect...

Autumn's life is nearly perfect-she's a top volleyball player and student, has close friends, and a father and grandmother who are raising her with an abundance of love, laughter, and common sense. If only Autumn weren't pregnant. If only she'd skipped Jason's celebratory champagne on his 18th birthday. If only. . . Then tragedy strikes. Autumn goes numb for weeks. By the time she begins to emerge from her grief and face reality, she is five months into her pregnancy and her choices are few. She must somehow find the inner strength to get through times more difficult than anything she...

This young adult novel accurately portrays the widespread effects of a young lesbian's decision to come out of the closet and live openly and honestly while still in high school. The story line revolves around Kit Dandridge-a young lesbian struggling to be herself in a repressive environment-her best friend Lynn, and their families and friends. Included are plot elements seen in recent headlines that include the often tragic consequences of high school intolerance and bullying as well as the development of support group networks for gay and lesbian students and their heterosexual allies....