Books with author Sharon Draper

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Arielle, November, Jericho, and their friends have been through so much. But senior year is going well, and when the fire alarm goes off in English class, everyone assumes that it's a prank. But the alarm was pulled for a different and potentially deadly reason. There's only a matter of seconds to stop a tragedy, and all eyes are searching for someone--anyone--to step up and do something...

"Are you willing to do anything to help your slimy pledge brothers become Distinguished Gentlemen?" Sharp demanded. "Anything, sir," Jericho said. He just wanted it to be over. "Then suck my big toe." "Sir?" Jericho wasn't sure if he had heard correctly.... When Jericho is invited to pledge for the Warriors of Distinction, he thinks his life can't get any better. As the most exclusive club in school, the Warriors give the best parties, go out with the hottest girls, and sail through their classes. And when Arielle, one of the finest girls in his class, starts coming on to him once the pledge announcements are made, Jericho is determined to do anything to become a member.... But as the initiation week becomes progressively harrowing, Jericho is forced to make choices he's not entirely comfortable with. And one member seems to have it in for the sole female pledge in the group...a pledge who will stop at nothing to show she can handle the pressure. But w

Book 1 in The Hazelwood High TrilogyWinner of the Coretta Scott King Award An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Andy Jackson was driving the car that crashed one night after a game killing his best friend, the captain of the Hazelwood High School Tigers. It was late, and they'd been drinking, and now, months later, Andy can't stop blaming himself. As he turns away from his family, friends, and even his girlfriend, Andy finds he's losing his ability to face the future. Available only in The Literacy Bridge 5.

When Gerald was a child he was fascinated by fire. But fire is dangerous and powerful, and tragedy strikes. His substance-addicted mother is taken from him. Then he loses the loving generosity of a favorite aunt. A brutal stepfather with a flaming temper and an evil secret makes his life miserable. The one bright light in Gerald's life is his little half sister, Angel, whom he struggles to protect from her father, Jordan Sparks, who abuses her, and from their mother, whose irresponsible behavior forces Gerald to work hard to keep the family together. As a teenager, Gerald finds success as a member of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team, while Angel develops her talents as a dancer. Trouble still haunts them, however, and Gerald learns, painfully, that young friends can die and old enemies must be faced. In the end he must stand up to his stepfather alone in a blazing confrontation. Sharon M. Draper has interwoven characters and events from her previous novel, Tears of a Tiger, in this unflinchingly realistic portrayal of poverty and child abuse. It is an inspiring story of a young man who rises above the tragic circumstances of his life by drawing on the love and strength of family and friends.