Rivals Ian and Chad acquire a pigeon that is a descendant of Cher Ami, the famous World War I pigeon. Their new racer flies onto the roof instead of into her coop, a disqualifying moment in the world of pigeon racing. Do they dare involve a bird of prey for on the job training of an errant pigeon? Will Chad find the courage to ask his father for help? Can the boys get along long enough to carry out their risky plan? This short chapter book tackles common, but intimidating, childhood problems, such as bullies, divorce, step-parents and alcoholic parents. The breezy discussion of an unusual,...

While vacationing on the island of Hawaii, twelve-year-old Ian McKinley purchases a souvenir paperweight made of volvanic rock. When he meets Kalea Coe, the daughter of a local hotel manager, she tells him the strange tale of Pele, the mysterious volcano goddess. From then on, back luck seems to follow Ian and his family like a shadow.

First, Ian pinches his finger; then his father scrapes his hand on a rock in a koi pond. His new stepmother loses an earring. Ian finds out that Kalea's great-grandmother fears Pele--and for good reason: Kalea's father, the hotel manager, accidentally...