Books with title Shine

When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.Praise for Shine“Cat eventually uncovers the truth in a cliffhanging climax in which she confronts fear, discovers that love is stronger than hate and truly ‘shines.’ Raw, realistic and compelling.”–Kirkus Reviews“The page-turning mystery and Cat’s inspiring trajectory of self-realization will draw readers in and give them plenty to ponder.”–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“Dramatic in both content and presentation."–Los Angeles Times“Myracle captures well the regret that many feel for things in their past about which they are ashamed. Cat’s reflections on these moments are spot-on.”–School Library JournalAWARD:WINNER: Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for young adult fiction

This is the story of a little girl whose joy is shown by her light. The more she shares her light, the bigger and brighter it grows. Then one day when she isn’t careful, people who are jealous steal her light. She searches everywhere for it but can’t find it. Just when she is about to give up, something amazing happens! This inspirational story is for anyone who needs hope, or has brightened the life of someone else with their light. Sometimes we need hope, and sometimes we give it because we choose to shine.

Kai is excited to go back to school after the summer holiday, but soon finds himself being mocked by his peers for being different. Kai’s confidence is lowered and he begins to wish that he is ‘normal’ like everyone else. With the help of his parents, Kai learns to be proud of himself and his unique qualities and values. Kai’s mother explains how although the moon and stars are different they both shine beautifully in the sky. He learns an important lesson: that everyone is special and valuable in their own way. He realises that the things that make him different are the things that make him special. He makes a decision to use his qualities to ‘shine his light’. Shine is a touching and heart-warming story which encourages young readers to celebrate diversity and to recognise how our differences make us special. It deals confidently with issues including bullying, low self-esteem, self-confidence and forgiveness in a manner that children can comprehend.

Summer can’t come fast enough for seventeen-year-old tomboy Nia Mitchell who is dealing with the fallout of making her most embarrassing mistake ever, all for love. Desperate to put junior year behind her, Nia reluctantly accepts what seems like the opportunity of a lifetime, but is it? As she gets drawn into her new life, Nia fears she’s about to make another huge mistake, this time with the world watching. When her past comes back to haunt her, Nia wonders if it’s possible to turn her biggest mistake into her biggest blessing. Can life teach her that even when you mess up, sometimes the best thing to do is take a deep breath, paste on your biggest smile and find the strength to shine?

The R.I.S.E. (Reaching Into Self Esteem est. '94) Girls Book Series encourages self-esteem and friendship for girls of all ages. The second book in the series tells the story of the girls growing up from elementary school until graduating from college with illustrations of them navigating life in future careers, passions, family and conflict. Included in this book the reader will be introduced to each girl that graces the cover.

When Patrick Truman is found beaten, bound, and left for dead, sixteen-year-old loner Cat is determined to discover the truth of what happened to her former best friend. The local sheriff blames out-of-towners, but Cat is sure someone in their small, tightly knit Southern community is guilty of the crime. Patrick is gay, and for years he has been teased and bullied by people claiming to be his friends, people Cat calls "the redneck posse." She plans to start her hunt for the culprit with them. But there are two problems. Cat's brother is a member of the posse, and so is the boy who assaulted Cat years ago, forcing her into the self-imposed exile from which she must now emerge...for Patrick and for herself. Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a searing coming-of-age story.

Jimmy is playing the Star in the school play. He practises shining all the time. As the performance draws closer, Jimmy is really beginning to sparkle. On the evening of the play, Dad takes his toolbox and goes off to work with the promise that he will try his best to make it to Jimmy's performance. The play starts but Jimmy's dad is still not there and Jimmy is getting worried. Suddenly, through a sea of faces, Jimmy sees his Dad smiling at him waiting to see him shine. In this touching story, Jonathan Langley magically illustrates the contrast between the light of the stars and the dark of night, and deals sensitively with the relationship between father and son.