National Network for Equitable Library Service

Rowan is the sole survivor when his entire family is struck down by the plague. Alone and grief-stricken, Rowan ekes out a living by playing music on his button box in the small towns and villages of Prosper. He lives and travels in his family's old caravan, half starved and in despair. One day, he finds he has competition: a young man playing a violin. Rather than make an adversary, Rowan suggests they travel and play together, but he regrets his offer when he finds out that Samik is from the Tarzine Lands, beyond the volcanoes, and is being pursued by a vengeful warlord.

Dian has been coming to the Dominican Republic with her doctor parents for years. Now that she's 14, she had wanted to stay home in Canada, but instead she is helping her parents set up their clinic and looking forward to hanging out with her Dominican friend Aracely. When fourteen-year-old Aracely makes a shocking announcement, she is engaged to be married, Dian struggles to accept that Aracely has the right to choose her own destiny, even if it is very different from what Dian would choose for her.

Everyone expected Leon Kline, anchor for the 4x100 sprint relay, to secure Gilburn High's spot in the record books. But a freak accident on the final stretch changes everything. Suddenly his future is gone. No more running, no scholarship, no college. But then he meets sassy and straight-talking Casey De Vries, and life doesn't look quite so bleak. She even gets him running again. He can't sprint anymore, but he can handle longer distances. As he gets to know Casey better, he realizes that something is not quite right. How can he help her if she won't tell him what’s going on?

Rooster Cobb is in trouble, with his school, with his mother, with his girlfriend. He smokes too much and he hates his stepfather. In fact, he might not graduate from high school. But he just doesn't seem to care. That is until the guidance counselor and the principal come up with a plan to get Rooster through grade twelve, out of their lives forever and possibly on the right track with his life.

Noah Thorpe is spending the school term in George River, in Quebec's Far North, where his dad is an English teacher in the Inuit community. Noah's not too keen about living in the middle of nowhere, but getting away from Montreal has one big advantage: he gets a break from the bully at his old school. But Noah learns that problems have a way of following you -- no matter how far you travel. To the Inuit kids, Noah is a qallunaaq, a southerner, someone ignorant of the customs of the North.

Ben is determined to learn to surf. In the rough North Atlantic waters near his home, only the tough can make it on the waves. His first attempt is a disaster. Then he meets Ray, a surfing veteran from California. Ray promises to teach him to surf, and to face his inner demons. As Ben becomes more comfortable with his board, he learns to face his fears and prove that he has what it takes to become a Wave Warrior.

Seventeen-year-old Daniel gets caught up in a postgame riot. And then he and his best friend escape police by breaking into a store. They only intend to cut through to the alley, but rioters follow and trash the place. Daniel prevents an arsonist from torching the store. The next day, he’s a hero while his friend is outed as a rioter. Can Daniel save face, and will it cost him his friend?

Ever since he watched his little brother drown last summer, Dylan has felt like he's losing it. He can't shake the nightmares that plague him, dreams from which he wakes up screaming every night. Dylan takes a summer job at a remote wilderness hotel, hoping to leave his problems behind. But when he volunteers to help close up the resort for the winter, things only get worse. Edward, the hotel manager, seems to be out to get him. A freak snowstorm blocks the road to the resort, leaving them trapped for days.

Kat is thrilled to be competing in a junior tennis championship at Melbourne Park for the first time. But things are off to a horrible start. Her doubles partner, Miri, is sneaking around at night and asking Kat to cover for her. She's also playing terribly, almost costing them their match. Miri's boyfriend, Hamish, one of the top competitors, seems unaware of her unusual behavior. When strange things begin happening to throw off Hamish's game, Kat suspects that Miri may be involved. Who is trying to sabotage Hamish? And can Kat put a stop to the plot before it's too late?

Jake has finally got his driver's license, and tonight he has his brother's car as well. He and his friend Mickey take the car out and cruise the strip. When they challenge another driver to a street race, a disastrous chain reaction causes an accident. Jake and Mickey leave the scene, trying to convince themselves they were not involved. Jake finds he cannot pretend it didn't happen and struggles with the right thing to do. Should he pretend he was not involved? Or should he go to the police?