Coming of Age - Stories

He lived alone with a father who beat the hell out of him. His mom abandoned him years ago. There was a roof over his head, and food, when his dad let him eat. One day, all that changed: he ran in fear for his life with nothing but the clothes on his back. And his journal.

Shay is a normal kid, just trying to figure things out. Year after year, his mom makes it hard.

It started off as a simple, innocent friendship between two college students brought together by an English project. Noah is shy, quiet and nerdy, while Jordan is the exact opposite, athletic, social and outgoing. A series of events, a break up, an unexpected injury, bring the two closer together. And as the pair delve deeper into their project, they realize that simple, innocent friendship may not be so simple or innocent after all.

An athletic high-school senior and a studious freshman form an unusual friendship.

Rory's mom just died and soon after the funeral his life is turned upside down when he finds out that his mom has contacted the father that he never knew. Now, he's forced to live in the desert with a family he doesn't know, a father he doesn't want to know, and to top it all off, Rory's gay and no longer has anyone to confide in. Friends will be made and the meaning of family will be found as Rory discovers that everything isn't so bad in the desert.

A third-grade valentine develops a life and meaning of its own as its recipient struggles through his teenage years.

At fifteen, CJ moved to the District of Columbia when his step-father discovered the teen was gay and banished him from their Miami home.

In Washington, living with his biological father and his partner, CJ blossoms thanks in part to the guidance provided by his father’s gay friends.

After a tragic accident brings his old life in London to an end, shy teenager Gianni is sent to live with his estranged grandparents in the beautiful surroundings of Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

There, he meets the irrepressible Angelo, who promises to show him his world and, as the long, hot summer days unfold, slowly helps Gianni to heal.

Gianni’s new life in the sun brings him friendship of a kind that he has never known and, with it, important discoveries about himself. But what will the future hold when the summer of the firefly comes to an end?

Three years ago, Sawyer and Josh showed up to help build a park playground as a part of a mutual friend's Eagle Boy Scout project... and ended up sharing a moment that they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

The adventure continues. CJ, his family, and friends return for the last two years at School Without Walls High School.