All Books
Synopsis: “Santa Claus and Little Sister” is autobiographical in nature, selfishly therapeutic in design, and hard proof that we cannot control our future regardless how hard we try.
This is a journey of one young optimistic East Coast teacher who taught at New Beginnings, a Los Angeles placement home for at-risk, mentally and physically abused, abandoned, gang, and socially-emotionally disturbed girls.
He discovers that truth often becomes lies, moral transforms into immoral, and fear builds knowledge.
This is a memorable adventure with two of these students, or catalysts, Chata and Lupe, and their frightful connections to a notorious Mexican child trafficking cartel and LA Gangs.
Chata, a bold and controlling overweight active member of the Baby Locas Division of the 18th Street Gang in South LA, struggles between two worlds and purposely brings both together in the back alleys of Los Angeles. Lupe, a small beautiful Mexican girl, identified only by the alias assigned to her by the FBI, is suddenly missing from the placement center leaving only her most cherished possession behind, a self-made book of poems and artwork entitled “To Santa Claus and Little Sisters”.
Refusing to accept the hypothesis that Lupe ran away on her own free will, risks would have to be taken by this naive Boston-born teacher and the mouthy 17 year-old Chata. Both would have to question their belief system many times in order to survive when circumstances were not in their favor.
To these young catalysts, Chata and Lupe, I am forever grateful for the spark that you ignited in me. Any survivor characteristics that I possess is probably due to you. Thanks girls.
This inspirational and captivating Novel deals with mature subjects including teen suicide, teenage problems, drug use, physical and mental abuse, and gang lifestyles.
Inspired by the poem "To Santa Claus and Little Sister" by Anonymous.
This is a journey of one young optimistic East Coast teacher who taught at New Beginnings, a Los Angeles placement home for at-risk, mentally and physically abused, abandoned, gang, and socially-emotionally disturbed girls.
He discovers that truth often becomes lies, moral transforms into immoral, and fear builds knowledge.
This is a memorable adventure with two of these students, or catalysts, Chata and Lupe, and their frightful connections to a notorious Mexican child trafficking cartel and LA Gangs.
Chata, a bold and controlling overweight active member of the Baby Locas Division of the 18th Street Gang in South LA, struggles between two worlds and purposely brings both together in the back alleys of Los Angeles. Lupe, a small beautiful Mexican girl, identified only by the alias assigned to her by the FBI, is suddenly missing from the placement center leaving only her most cherished possession behind, a self-made book of poems and artwork entitled “To Santa Claus and Little Sisters”.
Refusing to accept the hypothesis that Lupe ran away on her own free will, risks would have to be taken by this naive Boston-born teacher and the mouthy 17 year-old Chata. Both would have to question their belief system many times in order to survive when circumstances were not in their favor.
To these young catalysts, Chata and Lupe, I am forever grateful for the spark that you ignited in me. Any survivor characteristics that I possess is probably due to you. Thanks girls.
This inspirational and captivating Novel deals with mature subjects including teen suicide, teenage problems, drug use, physical and mental abuse, and gang lifestyles.
Inspired by the poem "To Santa Claus and Little Sister" by Anonymous.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.
When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.
Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.
When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.
Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: What would you do if a phantom needed your helpt?
When a small plane crashes behind Jason Lee's rural home, strange things begin to happen. He tries to tell his parents that the ghost of the pilot is haunting him, but they don't believe in such things. Then he sees Stevie Rae Sanders entering the local haunted house, and he thinks he has found someone brave enough to help him. Stevie-girl isn't certain she is all that brave, but she agrees to try. Together they confront The Phantom Pilot. But is it too late, or will he live in Jase's closet forever?
When a small plane crashes behind Jason Lee's rural home, strange things begin to happen. He tries to tell his parents that the ghost of the pilot is haunting him, but they don't believe in such things. Then he sees Stevie Rae Sanders entering the local haunted house, and he thinks he has found someone brave enough to help him. Stevie-girl isn't certain she is all that brave, but she agrees to try. Together they confront The Phantom Pilot. But is it too late, or will he live in Jase's closet forever?
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: That presumably empty cottage situated in the middle of Yarmouth, Massachusetts' expansive woods created a shock when somebody living behind its decrepit wooden doors made it blatantly obvious that life indeed did subsist behind them. Amanda Sillow, who had been abducted at the age of 14 and was now nearly 100 years of age, wasn't in the least bit pleased when construction on the home of a neighbor got under way next door to her. She is now bent on doing whatever it takes to drive her new neighbors out of the neighborhood - starting before they even move in.
So, she didn't want those neighbors around, but Ms. Sillow wasn't fussy about having her grandson, Presley, come to live with her. She genuinely loved the boy, and he loved her. It was just his love that he had for his mother that she couldn't stand. In due time, Ms. Sillow would make her daughter regret ever having dropped her son off to live with her.
The Sins of His Grandmother is a gripping tale that brings to light the affects that jealousy can have on an individual who, though not clinically diagnosed to be mentally unsteady, exhibits clear, alarming mental deficiencies and should, at all costs, be avoided. With the author having drawn from some too-close-to-home personal experiences of his own, this fictional mystery/thriller has, in fact, been written in truth.
So, she didn't want those neighbors around, but Ms. Sillow wasn't fussy about having her grandson, Presley, come to live with her. She genuinely loved the boy, and he loved her. It was just his love that he had for his mother that she couldn't stand. In due time, Ms. Sillow would make her daughter regret ever having dropped her son off to live with her.
The Sins of His Grandmother is a gripping tale that brings to light the affects that jealousy can have on an individual who, though not clinically diagnosed to be mentally unsteady, exhibits clear, alarming mental deficiencies and should, at all costs, be avoided. With the author having drawn from some too-close-to-home personal experiences of his own, this fictional mystery/thriller has, in fact, been written in truth.
Publication Date:
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis:
They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.
Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver, as well as Gathering Blue and Messenger where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: We Are Savages is the story of 12 year old Tris and what she finds when she runs from the responsibility of her household and descends through a rain grate into the child run world of Nowhere. "You go to bed angry or sad enough you can wake up just about anywhere," the Savages tell her. Nowhere is a brick utopia hidden in the sewers; made up of sweets, sports, hammocks, and fireflies. But even this haven, free of parents and protocol, is not everything it seems. Haunted by dark specters known only as Phocydes, feared for their reputation of consuming children whole, Tris works both to hunt and to hide from these hooded shadows. But something about them is familiar; something about them fires her curiosity more than her fear. And Tris slowly begins to realize that, no matter where you go, fear and responsibility are not things you can escape. The only thing to do is face them.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Pauline's Perils of Perplexity is a campy comedy for the Young Adult/New Age Adult (16 to 23 years of age) written in the style of another campy comedy "The Perils of Pauline".
Don't worry teens that chances are you've never read the old 1914, "The Perils of Pauline" melodrama. My melodramatic novel is set in the modern pre-internet, pre-cell phone era of the 1980's, your parents', or maybe even your grandparents' time period. You will enjoy this coming of age story just as much, even if you have never read the original.
Like yourself, you will follow Pauline learning to accept and embrace her life, even if her career, and her love life doesn’t always work out as planned. Join Pauline, and her undercover love interest, Matt search for clues to solve the Post Office mystery with plenty of humor along the way. Join the duo for their search for answers to life’s perplexing issues while they confront their anxieties, hopes, and plans for the future in LS Wagen’s campy comedy, Pauline’s Perils of Perplexity.
Don't worry teens that chances are you've never read the old 1914, "The Perils of Pauline" melodrama. My melodramatic novel is set in the modern pre-internet, pre-cell phone era of the 1980's, your parents', or maybe even your grandparents' time period. You will enjoy this coming of age story just as much, even if you have never read the original.
Like yourself, you will follow Pauline learning to accept and embrace her life, even if her career, and her love life doesn’t always work out as planned. Join Pauline, and her undercover love interest, Matt search for clues to solve the Post Office mystery with plenty of humor along the way. Join the duo for their search for answers to life’s perplexing issues while they confront their anxieties, hopes, and plans for the future in LS Wagen’s campy comedy, Pauline’s Perils of Perplexity.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Love. Lust. Blackmail. Romance. Revenge. Is finding love worth getting even?
Shy, overweight Melinda Rhodes' sophomore year of high school isn't going so well. Her mother mocks her weight. She spends her weekends holed up in her room making what her friend calls "Freaky eyeball paintings." Her pants split in the middle of school, earning her the nickname, "Moolinda." She then loses first chair flute in band to Kathy Meadows, the pretty and popular mean girl who's tormented Mel for years.
Her luck changes when she catches the eye of Josh Kowalski, a rebellious trumpet prodigy and class clown. Josh has also been hurt by Kathy and asks Melinda to help take Kathy down. Mel figures that she has nothing to lose ... and Josh is adorable with gorgeous blue eyes and a winning smile. She agrees to team up with him and looks forward to finally getting back at her rival.
At first, the pair's pranks against Kathy are silly, and as they work together, Mel comes out of her shell. Wild, impulsive Josh gets her to do things she'd never done before and Mel enjoys being a bad girl. Even better, she and Josh fall in love and their teen romance blossoms.
However, as their schemes become more involved and dangerous, Mel begins to question her loyalty to Josh -- and is surprised to find how dark her dark side really is. Just how far will she be willing to go to get what she wants -- and is keepng Josh really worth the risk of going against her beliefs?
This is a coming of age tale about finding love, staying on top and staying true to yourself. Is it really possible for Melinda to have it all?
REVIEWS
"I liked the characters and found them to be real." -- Teena In Toronto Book Blog (www.teenaintoronto.com)
"Reading this was pure bliss. I had this smile plastered on my face the entire time." -- Jenny, via Goodreads
Shy, overweight Melinda Rhodes' sophomore year of high school isn't going so well. Her mother mocks her weight. She spends her weekends holed up in her room making what her friend calls "Freaky eyeball paintings." Her pants split in the middle of school, earning her the nickname, "Moolinda." She then loses first chair flute in band to Kathy Meadows, the pretty and popular mean girl who's tormented Mel for years.
Her luck changes when she catches the eye of Josh Kowalski, a rebellious trumpet prodigy and class clown. Josh has also been hurt by Kathy and asks Melinda to help take Kathy down. Mel figures that she has nothing to lose ... and Josh is adorable with gorgeous blue eyes and a winning smile. She agrees to team up with him and looks forward to finally getting back at her rival.
At first, the pair's pranks against Kathy are silly, and as they work together, Mel comes out of her shell. Wild, impulsive Josh gets her to do things she'd never done before and Mel enjoys being a bad girl. Even better, she and Josh fall in love and their teen romance blossoms.
However, as their schemes become more involved and dangerous, Mel begins to question her loyalty to Josh -- and is surprised to find how dark her dark side really is. Just how far will she be willing to go to get what she wants -- and is keepng Josh really worth the risk of going against her beliefs?
This is a coming of age tale about finding love, staying on top and staying true to yourself. Is it really possible for Melinda to have it all?
REVIEWS
"I liked the characters and found them to be real." -- Teena In Toronto Book Blog (www.teenaintoronto.com)
"Reading this was pure bliss. I had this smile plastered on my face the entire time." -- Jenny, via Goodreads
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Julie Collins has moved to an isolated new world that is as haunting as it is beautiful. She and her mother are spending their final days with Julie’s father as he dies of cancer in his boyhood home.
But someone else walks the halls of the old mansion, the ghost of a teenage boy. He appears to Julie and shows her a vision of a ceremony…and a sacrifice.
And suddenly, Julie is trapped in a century-old demonic ritual—and only she can stop it.
But someone else walks the halls of the old mansion, the ghost of a teenage boy. He appears to Julie and shows her a vision of a ceremony…and a sacrifice.
And suddenly, Julie is trapped in a century-old demonic ritual—and only she can stop it.
Publication Date:
Age Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE GODFATHER MET THE INCREDIBLES?
The Wagners are a superhero family dynasty who have always protected the city of Coreopolis. The grandpa, John Utticus Wagner, is revered in the superhero community. He’s consistently invited to speak at superhero symposiums, has dined with the President, and has a sterling reputation as a model superhero. Every young superhero wants to be like John Utticus Wagner.
Unfortunately, John’s son, Orville Wagner, is not the man his father is. He’s a terrible klutz who always manages to create disasters, like derailing subway trains and accidentally injuring innocent bystanders. Orville is mocked in the superhero community, and the family’s once sterling reputation is tarnished. They no longer are seen as the protectors of Coreopolis. They are the laughingstock of the city.
When a new super villian starts terrorizing Coreopolis, it’s up to John, Orville, and Orville’s son, John II, to stop the villain and restore the family’s honor. The question is, can an old man, a klutz, and boy stop a maniacal super villain?
The Wagners are a superhero family dynasty who have always protected the city of Coreopolis. The grandpa, John Utticus Wagner, is revered in the superhero community. He’s consistently invited to speak at superhero symposiums, has dined with the President, and has a sterling reputation as a model superhero. Every young superhero wants to be like John Utticus Wagner.
Unfortunately, John’s son, Orville Wagner, is not the man his father is. He’s a terrible klutz who always manages to create disasters, like derailing subway trains and accidentally injuring innocent bystanders. Orville is mocked in the superhero community, and the family’s once sterling reputation is tarnished. They no longer are seen as the protectors of Coreopolis. They are the laughingstock of the city.
When a new super villian starts terrorizing Coreopolis, it’s up to John, Orville, and Orville’s son, John II, to stop the villain and restore the family’s honor. The question is, can an old man, a klutz, and boy stop a maniacal super villain?
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: The Great War of 2185 is over, but my nightmare has just begun. I am being held captive in the Queen’s ship awaiting interrogation. My only possible ally is the princess, but I’m unsure if she is really my friend or a trap set by the Queen to fool me into sharing the secret of my gift. A gift I keep hidden even from myself. It swirls inside my body begging for release, but it is the one thing the Queen can never discover. Will I have the strength to keep the secret? I’ll know the answer soon. If the stories are true about the interrogators, I’ll either be dead or a traitor to my people by morning.
*Warning: Some violence*
*Warning: Some violence*
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Dan Hughes is an immature, Star Wars-obsessed 16-year-old, not enthusiastic about school or a career but when he discovers that his girlfriend, Emma, is pregnant, he has to grow up quickly. Then a routine scan shows that the baby is also likely to be affected with Down’s Syndrome and Dan and Emma must make the most difficult decision of their lives. Worse still, the timing of the scan means they have just seven days in which to do this. Luckily, Dan’s closest friends, the strangely-named Muppet, Dave the Goth and Flipper, help by planning a series of activities to test Dan’s potential as a father. Unluckily, this idea is made more difficult by heated arguments over a fishing trip to Scotland, who is the best Batman villain and how many children there were in The Waltons.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Some secrets should never be revealed…
Brylee Branson begrudgingly made the excruciating move with her family from the warm sandy beaches of California to small town living in New Jersey. As if she wasn’t miserable enough, they’ve moved into a creepy old house that everyone in the area claims is haunted. Brylee dismisses the idea of ghosts and hauntings, until she begins to see and hear things that can’t be explained…
Brylee has no choice but to seek the help of new friends to unlock the secrets of this place she now calls home. But some secrets should never be revealed. Can the teens find a way to release the spirits imprisoned within the walls? Or will the curse claim them, too?
Brylee Branson begrudgingly made the excruciating move with her family from the warm sandy beaches of California to small town living in New Jersey. As if she wasn’t miserable enough, they’ve moved into a creepy old house that everyone in the area claims is haunted. Brylee dismisses the idea of ghosts and hauntings, until she begins to see and hear things that can’t be explained…
Brylee has no choice but to seek the help of new friends to unlock the secrets of this place she now calls home. But some secrets should never be revealed. Can the teens find a way to release the spirits imprisoned within the walls? Or will the curse claim them, too?
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Tom ran as fast as he could along the forest path, his leaden legs refusing to go any faster.
He was sure the kidnappers were after him, but he dare not stop and look back.
Frantic with worry he put his hand inside his jacket pocket and felt for her, but the pocket was empty. In despair he shouted her name.
It was always the same dream and each time he awoke at the same point, gasping for breath and calling for her.
An exciting fantasy for nine year olds, and all who are young at heart.
He was sure the kidnappers were after him, but he dare not stop and look back.
Frantic with worry he put his hand inside his jacket pocket and felt for her, but the pocket was empty. In despair he shouted her name.
It was always the same dream and each time he awoke at the same point, gasping for breath and calling for her.
An exciting fantasy for nine year olds, and all who are young at heart.
Publication Date:
Age Level: Any Age
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Sequel to The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez - wittier, sillier and even more lovable than the first book!
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Harry Potter!"
One day 14-year-old Samantha Hathaway's biggest problems are snarky cheerleaders and co-workers at the mall, and the next day she finds herself the prime suspect in the theft of a powerful magical artifact that could spark a war between magic and science.
For generations the Hathaway family has protected the world from the secret dangers of magic, monsters, and mad science. As the last heir to this proud legacy the suburban couch potato is recruited into Miller's Grove Academy, an elite new school full of inventors, monster hunters, video game champions, pop stars, and wannabe world conquerors. Between the new classes, hover board experiments, vampire attacks, and impending doom Samantha makes new friends and vicious new enemies.
Samantha and her new friends must navigate a dangerous secret world to identify the real thief, defeat a resurrected sorcerer, and stop the coming war.
Worst. Freshman Year. Ever.
One day 14-year-old Samantha Hathaway's biggest problems are snarky cheerleaders and co-workers at the mall, and the next day she finds herself the prime suspect in the theft of a powerful magical artifact that could spark a war between magic and science.
For generations the Hathaway family has protected the world from the secret dangers of magic, monsters, and mad science. As the last heir to this proud legacy the suburban couch potato is recruited into Miller's Grove Academy, an elite new school full of inventors, monster hunters, video game champions, pop stars, and wannabe world conquerors. Between the new classes, hover board experiments, vampire attacks, and impending doom Samantha makes new friends and vicious new enemies.
Samantha and her new friends must navigate a dangerous secret world to identify the real thief, defeat a resurrected sorcerer, and stop the coming war.
Worst. Freshman Year. Ever.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Fiction