Books with author Leslie McGill

His mom wanted a fresh start, but Dwayne just can't settle into his life. He misses his friends and has trouble connecting with new classmates. Nothing is familiar. Walking through his neighborhood, he sees an open window. Instantly, everything changes. Maybe he can pretend to be someone else. He can live a different life by breaking and entering ... if only for a little while. Bringing home a souvenir to remember his adventures wouldn't be so bad, right? But Dwayne is a terrible crook. And life is full of weird coincidences when he learns whose home he's burgled.White Lightning Books addresses a wide variety of themes and interests in a narrow range of reading levels, no higher than a 2.5. Middle school is a time of self-discovery, high energy, and hormonal change. It can also be a time of self-assertion and defiance. Students who struggle to read will often not recover from low reading achievement in elementary school if their particular interests are not addressed. Encouragement and finding the theme to hook them is key. There is a broad range of interest and abilities in this age group, even with struggling readers. These are not YA or elementary books--a fact younger teens will appreciate.Each book is approximately 100 pages with covers that will appeal to young teen readers. The titles in the White Lightning series are designed in a similar style. Students will know what to expect when they pick up a book: a fast-paced story, mature and age-appropriate topics, short chapters, and achievable reading success.

Jair hated being short. Back in middle school, he d figured he hadn't hit his growth spurt. But now he was a junior at Cap Central. To compensate, he d made sure everyone knew how tough he was. And every so often, he d add to his reputation by punching someone. It had been a while since he had to school someone. But he knew that the new kid would get what was coming to him...Reading level: 3.5. Interest Level: Young Adult.

Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work. Jair hated being short. Back in middle school, he’d figured he hadn’t hit his growth spurt. But now he was a junior at Cap Central. To compensate, he’d made sure everyone knew how tough he was. And every so often, he’d add to his reputation by punching someone. It had been a while since he had to school someone. But he knew that the new kid would get what was coming to him...Reading level: 3.5. Interest Level: Young Adult.

Cecilia Calhoun's transition to Capital Central High School has been rough. She joined Stepperz, the school step team, but hasn't really become close with any of the girls. The team co-captain, Brennay Baxter, rules Stepperz like dictator. She makes life miserable for any girl who doesn't do her bidding. Cecilia is horrified when someone starts an anonymous blog that awards points for every documented interaction students have with Remy Stevenson, an autistic Cap Central student.Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work.

Keshawn's life was about before and after. Before, Keshawn didn't have a computer. After, he helped his mom install software on their new computer. To monitor him. What a joke! It got him thinking. He could make money. So he offered his skills. Grades for cash. It was that simple. Only it wasn't. Then he realized Neecy was his way out. She needed good grades. But she wanted to earn them. Keshawn knew she would make it right. Fingers crossed.

Rainie's grades were slipping. Good grades were a lifetime ago. Back when her dad was around. Before her mom's boyfriend started hanging out at their house. Commenting on her figure. Looking her up and down. Before she decided to stop eating. Become invisible. Her friends were alarmed, especially Joss. She knew times were tough for Rainie's family. But she felt like there was more going on. Something serious. And she was going to figure it out. Reading Level: 3.5. Interest Level: Young Adult

Capital Central High School students Marley and Hector want a better life beyond their northeast D.C. neighborhood. So they study hard, taking extra classes at Tech to get ahead. Book 4 in the Cap Central series continues to explore the broad challenges facing urban schools, including crime, poverty, and encroaching gentrification. Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work.

Jair Nobles still remembers how great it felt. After he and Zander Peterson rescued two girls at a party that got out of hand, other students were full of admiration. Acceptance felt great. But the attention was short-lived. His old life hadn t been happy, but at least it felt familiar. Looking back, he could remember one bright moment. The night everyone thought he was a hero. He would do anything to feel like that again. Anything. Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work.

Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work. Rainie's grades were slipping. Good grades were a lifetime ago. Back when her dad was around. Before her mom’s boyfriend started hanging out at their house. Commenting on her figure. Looking her up and down. Before she decided to stop eating. Become invisible. Her friends were alarmed, especially Joss. She knew times were tough for Rainie's family. But she felt like there was more going on. Something serious. And she was going to figure it out. Reading Level: 3.5. Interest Level: Young Adult

Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work. Keshawn’s life was about before and after. Before, Keshawn didn’t have a computer. After, he helped his mom install software on their new computer. To monitor him. What a joke! It got him thinking. He could make money. So he offered his skills. Grades for cash. It was that simple. Only it wasn’t. Then he realized Neecy was his way out. She needed good grades. But she wanted to earn them. Keshawn knew she would make it right. Fingers crossed. Reading Level: 3.5. Interest Level: Young Adult.

Themes: loneliness, crime, single mothers, learning the hard way, lyingHis mom wanted a fresh start, but Dwayne just can’t settle into his life. He misses his friends and has trouble connecting with new classmates. Nothing is familiar. Walking through his neighborhood, he sees an open window. Instantly, everything changes. Maybe he can pretend to be someone else. He can live a different life by breaking and entering … if only for a little while. Bringing home a souvenir to remember his adventures wouldn’t be so bad, right? But Dwayne is a terrible crook. And life is full of weird coincidences when he learns whose home he’s burgled.White Lightning Books addresses a wide variety of themes and interests in a narrow range of reading levels, no higher than a 2.5. Middle school is a time of self-discovery, high energy, and hormonal change. It can also be a time of self-assertion and defiance. Students who struggle to read will often not recover from low reading achievement in elementary school if their particular interests are not addressed. Encouragement and finding the theme to “hook” them is key. There is a broad range of interest and abilities in this age group, even with struggling readers. These are not YA or elementary books—a fact younger teens will appreciate.Each book is approximately 100 pages with covers that will appeal to young teen readers. The titles in the White Lightning series are designed in a similar style. Students will know what to expect when they pick up a book: a fast-paced story, mature and age-appropriate topics, short chapters, and achievable reading success.

Cecilia Calhoun’s transition to Capital Central High School has been rough. She joined Stepperz, the school step team, but hasn’t really become close with any of the girls. The team co-captain, Brennay Baxter, rules Stepperz like dictator. She makes life miserable for any girl who doesn’t do her bidding. Cecilia is horrified when someone starts an anonymous blog that awards points for every documented interaction students have with Remy Stevenson, an autistic Cap Central student.Capital Central High School, or Cap Central as the students like to call it, is in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. Any urban school faces broad challenges, and Cap Central is no different. But some tight-knit juniors meet the difficulties head-on with courage, friendship, determination, and hard work.