Books in Roosevelt High School Series series

Tommy is excited to finally be a senior at Roosevelt High School. There was a time when he thought he'd never graduate, especially after he tried to kill himself to avoid dealing with his sexual orientation. But with the help of his friends, he has accepted who he is, come out to his family and friends and is preparing for college next year. But when Albert, a new student at Roosevelt High, is beaten so badly he winds up in the emergency room, Tommy can't help but wonder if he was attacked because he's gay. Soon, rumors about Albert are reverberating down the school's hallways, and Tommy fears Albert might seek the same solution he himself did two years before. Tommy visits Ms. Martinez, the counselor who helped him come to terms with his sexuality, who reminds him about his idea to start a Gay Straight Alliance Club at Roosevelt High. Suddenly, he realizes how he can help Albert. In spite of being busy with school, his job at the local theater and tutoring a young immigrant boy, Tommy finds other students both gay and straight interested in starting a club to raise awareness and seek equality for gay students. But will it really make a difference? Will they be able to modify the school's anti-discrimination code? And will the group be able to help Albert? Tommy Stands Tall is the ninth novel in Gloria L. Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality and prejudice) that young adults face today. This is the second novel that follows Tommy's story, which began in Tommy Stands Alone (Pinata Books, 1995).

Rudy can't believe it when his dad says he will have to watch his abuela while his parents go out. He shouldn't have to babysit his own grandmother! And he had plans to go out with his girlfriend, Juanita. His brother Manuel isn't happy either, and won't even consider watching Abuela alone. Nothing has been going right since Abuela moved in. Manuel had to give up his own room and move into Rudy's, and both boys are unhappy about losing their privacy. Abuela's forgetfulness and weird behavior has everyone worried, and Rudy's mom in particular spends lots of time crying. When Abuela disappears one day, they can't ignore the problem anymore. A trip to the doctor confirms what they feared: Abuela has Alzheimer's. What are they going to do? They can't lock her up, but they can't be with her every minute of the day either. As Rudy juggles everything going on in his senior year at Roosevelt High School, including his relationship with Juanita and his friends' attempts to convince him to enroll in college, his feelings of guilt grow. He can't help but wish he had his room to himself and that life would go back to the way it was before Abuela moved in. Rudy's Memory Walk is the eighth novel in Gloria Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality, and prejudice) that young adults face today.

Moses Vargas hates his life. He has been forced to move four times in as many years, and he s tired of starting at another school, having everyone stare at him and trying to make new friends. Most of all, he doesn t want to have to deal with questions about his father an inmate in the California Department of Corrections.When Moses discovers that someone has been sending out text messages with a photo of him and his father in a prison uniform, he ends up in a fight and then suspended for three days. School counselor Ray Gutiérrez agrees to reach out to Moses. He realizes that several boys at Roosevelt High School are dealing with absentee fathers, putting them at risk for failure or dropping out. With permission from the principal, Mr. Gutiérrez starts an after-school support program called Círculos.Moses grudgingly attends the sessions that draw on indigenous and cultural roots to empower the boys. Realizing he is not the only one with a problematic home life and the new friendship of a pretty classmate whose father is also in prison helps Moses to begin talking about his anger and embarrassment. But will he really be able to overcome his resentment towards his father?The tenth installment in Velásquez s acclaimed Roosevelt High School Series that focuses on social issues relevant to teens, Forgiving Moses addresses the painful issue of children, particularly brown and black youth, whose fathers are not present in their lives. Touching on the disproportionately high number of men of color in prison and its effects on society, this short novel for teens will generate conversations about the possible consequences of making bad choices, responsibility to family and the impact of incarceration.

"Not again," Tyrone thinks as loud, angry voices wake him up in the middle of the night. Looking down at his parents from the stairway, Tyrone can tell that his father has had too much to drink. Drinking and fighting are nothing new, but this time, Tyrone's dad leaves and doesn't come back. As the weeks pass and they don't hear from him, Tyrone's anger at his father's desertion finds an outlet through violent eruptions at school. Life at home is no better as his mother begins working a night job to pay the bills. She expects Tyrone, the eldest, to be the "man of the house," a responsibility Tyrone doesn't want. Instead of taking care of his younger siblings he starts partying with older kids, skipping school, and sneaking home in the early morning hours. But when his younger brother is caught stealing candy at the corner store, Tyrone realizes that he will have to take on the responsibility whether he wants to or not. Settling in to his new role as the head of the household, Tyrone is furious when he learns that his father wants to come home. He just doesn't understand how his mother can forgive his father so easily. And how can she believe his promises to change and quit drinking? With the help of his friends and counselor Dr. Martinez, Tyrone begins to deal with his feelings of anger and betrayal as the son of an alcoholic, absentee father. But will he ever accomplish his dreams of going to college and becoming an engineer? Tyrone's Betrayal is the seventh novel in Gloria Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality, and prejudice) that young adults face today.