Stories

How I Got Carter is the story of Jackson Willard, and his discoveries on the way to catching the boy of his dreams, the incredible Carter Mulkins. Carter has always been the unattainable god of his wildest fantasies. But at the end of the summer heading into Jackson's junior year, Carter starts to show more interest in Jackson. Little by little their friendship develops, and little by little it becomes more than a friendship.

Steve and Chris, who met and became close in Thrift Shop Nation, return in another tale.

Working at the thrift shop has proved to be both interesting and rewarding for the boys. The summer is nearing its end, but both want the job to go on. They have been discovering that the thrift shop is more than just a job, and that Debbi is more than just a boss.

And that life among the world of 'previously owned' items is a long way from being dull...

A year after moving to Washington, D.C., CJ Abelló’s a much more confident young man, ready to challenge the world.

He and his friend Harley embark on a road trip soon after the end of their sophomore year in high school, spending time in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Oshkosh.

Leaving his yellow Jeep, Defiant, at home. He travels to Australia on his own. A second road trip has him visiting the Blue Mountains and exploring Canberra.

Following a stop in Miami, he returns to the District, where someone he meets at a party will influence his future.

Ryder is good looking, popular and on the top of his football game. At fifteen what more can a teenager want? When his dad a legendary coach takes a new coaching position his life is uprooted, and so is the past that starts to take a toll on Ryder.

A witty and entertaining story of a high school sophomore, Reggie Ferguson, who is assigned by his creative writing teacher to maintain a weekly journal for sixteen weeks. Follow along as he begins to understand himself better through his weekly entries.

Two best friends set out on a road trip after the death of one of their Dad's. They develop their already close relationship along the way. What will happen once they get back home.

Patrick (or Trick to his friends) is starting college and has put his rough high school days behind him. Cody, one of his former bullies, is back in Patrick's life and won't let him get away easily this time.

The summer that began with Rules of the Road is drawing to a close. Brian and Jeff have become close, despite their inability to have their relationship out in the open. But time and events - and people - have a way of adapting, and the closing days of summer are just the starting days of new things.

Marc got what he’d wanted for years, but it’s enough to tear apart his friendship with Casey. Marc tries to avoid Casey, but that’s not always possible. A series of incidents puts both of their jobs on the line and Marc and Casey have to decide whether or not the resulting consequences are worth continuing their feud. Or can they put the past behind them and learn to work together as the team they used to be, and maybe even explore what's between them?

If life was there for the taking, then it might look a lot like Kay Walker’s life. A good family with liberal and accepting attitudes, doing impressively well at college both on and off the field, a big circle of friends, and a promising future.

Of course, there are a couple of problems with this picture. Firstly, it wouldn’t make a very interesting story. And secondly, perhaps more importantly, it’s not quite true. Or at least, it’s not the whole picture.