UNDERNEATH THE MOON

Eleven-year-old Brianna Thomas doesn’t step on sidewalk cracks. Ever. But the summer after fifth grade, bad luck flies through the air faster than fluff from the tear in the couch cushion.

All Brianna wants is to go to camp with her BFF, Maddie. That falls apart- just like the truck, the water heater, and Mama’s health. With money running low and creditors calling, Brianna sneaks out to babysit, sells bead bracelets, and writes to her “real daddy” for help.  But when Mama’s annoying boyfriend hands Brianna garbage bag and tells her to pack, she knows she might not see her house, dog or best friend ever again.

Living off crackers from the gas station isn’t fun.  Neither is hanging out in a bunch of creepy church shelters with ghosts, candles and dead bodies buried out back. But unless Brianna can find it in her heart to help Mama’s boyfriend find a ride to his job interview, she might never make it back home for the first day of sixth grade.

IN SYNCH

Twelve-year-old Melody Adams dreams of making the synchronized ice skating team. But her mom has other plans: daily piano practice sessions, including scales and arpeggios (yawn), theory drills (double yawn), and sonatinas with three sharps. (puh-lease)

While her best friend Sophie and major crush Kyle play crack-the-whip at Middle School Skate Night, Melody’s hunched over her Technique and Artistry book, her fingers stumbling over the piano keys. It’s not her fault Mom never became a concert pianist. Yet she’s the one paying the price.

If Melody doesn’t talk to Mom, she might be chained to a piano bench forever. Spilling her guts is hard, but so is watching Sophie hang with a new friend. Maybe, if Mel can convince Mom to watch her skate, she’ll realize her passion lies on the ice—where, in a weird sort of way, she’ll always feel the music.

GLUB

Grace has big plans for seventh grade—ace her classes (naturally), sit first chair violin, (duh), and secure a spot on All-City Orchestra.  Like always, she’ll be Grace the Great, star of everything.

Well, most things, if you don’t count swimming.

Grace can barely doggie paddle, which hasn’t really mattered much until this year, when SWIM SAFETY is introduced as a new, graded gym unit.  Without an “A” in swimming, she won’t make High Honors- a requirement for All-City musicians. 

Up until now, it’s been easy to hide her fear of water.

But with her musical dreams on the line, Grace has no choice.  She has to ask a friend for help.

Turns out that’s a whole lot harder than diving head-first into the deep end.