Books with author Maureen Crane Wartski

Ricky Talese has recently been blinded in an accident. His best friend was killed in the same accident. Missing his friend, despondent and despairing, the suicidal Ricky is sent to spend a few days with friends, the Gallaghers, in their New Hampshire mountain cabin. With him travels a mistreated and potentially dangerous German shepherd which the Gallaghers are trying to rehabilitate. Boy and dog distrust and dislike each other, but when they are caught alone in a fast spreading forest fire, they are forced into an unlikely partnership. As they face dangers together, the new trust that kindles between them forms a bond and ultimately brings about a moment of heartbreak and possible redemption.

While on the Outer Banks in North Carolina for the summer, Tammy and Ken find a sea turtle nest, while staying with their great aunt Yuri from Japan. As they listen to their Aunt Yuri tell of the Japanese fairytales that she paints, the tales magically come to life. Can Tammy and her brother find clues in her stories to solve a generations-old family mystery? Will Aunt Yuri reveal the true nature of her magic? A great book for preadolescent readers and their parents.

On the night of a party celebrating his acceptance into Harvard, Harris Mizuno, a Japanese-American teenager, is shot dead by an elderly white man who mistakes him for an intruder when Harris asks to use the phone because his car has stalled.It's up to fifteen-year-old Terri Mizuno to take charge when her family falls apart in grief and anger over the tragic murder of her brother. Worse, the sleepy town of Whiteriver, Massachusetts, erupts into hatred, bigotry, and vigilantism. Even Terri's best friend cannot avoid taking sides for or against the frightened old man in the sensationalized court case that follows.As white supremacist groups descend on the town and attacks of hate graffiti, vandalism, and violence mount against Asian families, the threat of even more bloodshed emerges. Terri knows she must shine the light of reason and understanding on the torn community. And as she tries, she finds help in the most unexpected places....