"The kids from Mr. Terupt's fifth- and sixth-grade classes are entering their first year of junior high school. There's a lot to be excited about, but there are new challenges, too. Everyone is missing Mr. Terupt. When a fight threatens to break up the group forever, they think their favorite teacher is the only one who can help them. But the kids soon find out that it's Mr. Terupt who needs saving"--

Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the other kids at school, has a plan for how her life should look. So when Pippa gets a mysterious basketball scholarship to Lakeview Private, she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself by following the "Rules of Cool." At Lakeview, Pippa juggles old and new friends, an unrequited crush, and the pressure to perform academically and athletically...

Korean American Pippa Park picks up right where she left off . . . trying to balance basketball, school, friends, working at the struggling family laundromat, and fitting in. Eliot, her math tutor--and the cutest boy at school--is finally paying attention to her. And Marvel--her childhood friend--is making her required volunteering much more interesting. But things with the Royals, her new friends and teammates who rule the school, still feel a bit...

In alternating chapters, two eighth-graders describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years.

When fourteen-year-old Simone is assigned to mentor a kindergarten student as a part of her leadership class, she finds herself enjoying the relationship, but soon begins to suspect that something is very wrong with her student's family.

"Twins Andie and Caitlin are best friends but they couldn't be more different. Andie loves sports and hanging out with her friends, Caitlin is passionate about music and loves learning at school. Now that junior high is starting, the girls will finally get a chance to pave their own way. They can't wait! But when Caitlin discovers she'll have to pass a fitness test or spend every day after school doing gym, she fears her year is ruined before it even...

Quiet Amanda Mays had the time of her life at summer camp. She made a ton of new friends, including spunky Allie. She even (accidentally) let everyone think she had a boyfriend back home. What harm could it do? Alot--- because now Allie is moving to Amanda's town! But Amanda isn't the same girl she was at camp. She doesn't have a boyfriend, she's not very outgoing, and she knows that Allie will never get along with her shy best friend, Kate. Will...

It's the first game of the season and Josui Junior High is matched up against cross-town rival Musashinomori. The elite private school has the better soccer players, but Team Josui is hoping to steal a win with extra hustle and desire.

Shô Kazamatsuri is the leader of the Josui Junior High soccer team and he does everything he can to keep his team together and to be the best.