Books with author Cristy Watson

Epic Fail tells the story of Kenzie, a 16-year-old half Native American girl, and her two best friends, who have grown up in a multiracial, mixed-income suburb. Two years after a party where Kenzie was raped, she is still dealing with the trauma. When photos of the incident appear on social media there are serious consequences for everyone involved. This book tells a tough but realistic story about teen relationships and sexual assault and how social media plays a role in magnifying its impact.

When he was fifteen, Kevin took a car for a joyride and got in an accident that seriously injured a pedestrian. Now known as "Strider" in juvie, he has spent more than two years incarcerated, learning the hard way how to survive on the inside. Strider keeps his head down and in exchange for protection from another inmate, Strider provides "loans" of money and helps him cheat on schoolwork. But when his parole officer suggests that he apply for early parole, Strider realizes it would be hard for him to survive on the outside. Is there anything waiting for him back home, or should he stay where he thinks he belongs?

When Cody and his friends accept a challenge from a local gang to steal a park bench, their main concern is keeping themselves on the gang's good side. Cody learns that the stolen bench had been dedicated to the father of the English teacher who sponsors the school newspaper--the paper that Cody has just started writing for--and he's worried about the consequences. As the gang applies pressure for more from Cody and his friends, he realizes they've crossed a line, and now he has to figure out how to make it right.

In most ways, Poe is like the other kids in his school. He thinks about girls and tries to avoid too much contact with teachers. He has a loving father who helps him with his homework. But Poe has a secret, and almost every day some small act threatens to expose him. He doesn't have a phone number to give to friends. He doesn't have an address. Poe and his father are living in a tent on city land. When the city clears the land to build housing, Poe worries that they might not be able to find another site near his school. Will Poe have to expose his secret to get help for himself and his father?

Martha is a small ladybug, who lives in a small home, and bakes delicious small cakes. Everything about her is small… however at night, when Martha goes to sleep in her little bed, tucked under her little blankets, cuddled up with her little head on her little pillow, Martha dreams of BIG THINGS. She dreams of the biggest animals to ever walk the Earth. Martha dreams of dinosaurs! Join Martha as she plays with Velociraptors, swims with the Mosasaur, roars with the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, and has big fun with more prehistoric giants. She knows that no matter how small you are, you can always dream big.

Martha is a small ladybug, who lives in a small home, and bakes delicious small cakes. Everything about her is small... however at night, when Martha goes to sleep in her little bed, tucked under her little blankets, cuddled up with her little head on her little pillow, Martha dreams of BIG THINGS. She dreams of the biggest animals to ever walk the Earth. Martha dreams of dinosaurs!Join Martha as she plays with Velociraptors, swims with the Mosasaur, roars with the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, and has big fun with more prehistoric giants. She knows that no matter how small you are, you can always dream big.

Ever since Logan found out that his uncle was involved in the accident that killed Logan's dad, he's been full of resentment. He cuts his uncle out of his life, and finds that being reckless is the only way to feel anything. Looking for a place to drink underaged and undisturbed, Logan and his friends break into a house they think is abandoned.What they find there gets them into trouble with the law and causes Logan's girlfriend to break up with him. But it also makes Logan face up to his anger and his need to forgive and be forgiven.This novel combines themes of teen rebellion with what happens when young people are brought face-to-face with the reality of death in a realistic, unsensational story.

When Cody and his friends accept a challenge from a local gang to steal a park bench, their main concern is keeping themselves on the gang's good side. Cody learns that the stolen bench had been dedicated to the father of the English teacher who sponsors the school newspaper--the paper that Cody has just started writing for--and he's worried about the consequences. As the gang applies pressure for more from Cody and his friends, he realizes they've crossed a line, and now he has to figure out how to make it right.

This book tells a tough but realistic story about teen relationships and sexual assault and how social media plays a role in magnifying its impact.In suburban Vancouver, in a multiracial mixed-income neighbourhood, three 14-year-old friends, a boy and two girls, go to a party organized bythe boy's older brother. One of the girls, who comes from a mixed-race Aboriginal/Caucasian family of lower socio-economic standing, is raped, which has very serious consequences on her mental health.Two years later, photos of the crime and the victim show up on social media and the girl's friend decides to confirm the victim's account of her experience — and confirm that the assailant was his own brother's good buddy. His actions of first remaining silent, then finally speaking up, have unexpected consequences for everyone — including him.This novel reflects the complexities that teens face dealing with the rape culture many young men participate in and how it is intensified by social media.

In most ways, Poe is like the other kids in his school. He thinks about girls and tries to avoid too much contact with teachers. He has a loving father who helps him with his homework. But Poe has a secret, and almost every day some small act threatens to expose him. He doesn't have a phone number to give to friends. He doesn't have an address. Poe and his father are living in a tent on city land. When the city clears the land to build housing, Poe worries that they might not be able to find another site near his school. Will Poe have to expose his secret to get help for himself and his father?

Fourteen-year-old Roonie loves hip-hop almost as much as she loves her grandmother. She cannot wait to compete in her school's dance competition. But as her grandmother's health deteriorates, Roonie becomes more and more reluctant to visit her in the care home. These feelings of guilt and frustration cause Roonie to mess things up with her hip-hop dance partner and best friend, Kira. But while doing some volunteer hours in the hospital geriatric ward, Roonie meets an active senior recovering from a bad fall. Their shared love of dance and the woman's zest for life help Roonie face her fears, make amends with Kira and reconnect with Gram before it’s too late.

Ever since Logan found out that his uncle was involved in the accident that killed Logan's dad, he's been full of resentment. He cuts his uncle out of his life, and finds that being reckless is the only way to feel anything. Looking for a place to drink underaged and undisturbed, Logan and his friends break into a house they think is abandoned.What they find there gets them into trouble with the law and causes Logan's girlfriend to break up with him. But it also makes Logan face up to his anger and his need to forgive and be forgiven.This novel combines themes of teen rebellion with what happens when young people are brought face-to-face with the reality of death in a realistic, unsensational story.