"The human race. You have to love it and wish it well and not preach or think you have any reason to think you are better than anyone else. Amen. Good-bye. Peace . . . Master short story writer Ellen Gilchrist, winner of the National Book Award, returns with her first story collection in over eight years. In Acts of God, she has crafted ten different scenarios in which people dealing with forces beyond their control somehow manage to survive, persevere,...

Ten-year-old Goose is best at goofing off, but when he decides to become the goalie for their soccer team, his friend Henry sets up a practice schedule and enlists their other friends to help Goose improve his skills.

"From beloved performance expert, journalist, and co-author of Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox comes a science-based new definition of toughness-one that focuses on assessing a challenge on a physiological and psychological level rather than fear-based bulldozing-that has radical, holistic implications for any reader"--

Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Brandon had always dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was considered too short and too fat to play Division I. However, Brandon took a risk and walked on in 1994. Written off by fellow teammates and coaches, Brandon displayed dogged determination in the face of staggering odds, and proved every one who had ever doubted him wrong.

"Benny the woodpecker makes a brilliant plan to eat a tasty plate of waffles"--

This final book in the trilogy begun in "The Breadwinner" and "Parvana's Journey" paints a devastating portrait of life in refugee camps and shows the resourcefulness of children who endure great suffering there.

"Marissa is a gymnast, violinist, and chess player. This summer she is busy in an orchestra, chess tournament, and learning her Level 4 gymnastics skills. In the past, doing all three activities has been a snap for Marissa. She is hardworking and smart. But this summer she can't seem to get her kip, a difficult skill on bars. If she doesn't learn a kip she won't be competing Level 4 in the fall with her friends at Perfect Balance Gymnastics Academy....

"Carmen Alvarez is new to competitive gymnastics, and it isn't quite what she expected. Her Level 4 season is having a rough start with silly mistakes and several falls. Carmen continues to work hard. But just when she has competition figured out, she learns she must score a 34.00 All-Around to be eligible for Level 5. What will Carmen do if her season ends without getting the coveted 34.00 All-Around?"--Page 4 of cover

Bella has talented siblings but she is not sure what she is good at herself, so she goes on quest to discover her special gift and along the way learns the importance of never giving up.

Thirteen year-old Parvana and other Afghan children search the countryside for missing parents.