Books with title Fight to the Finish!

In 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaïre, two African American boxers were paid five million dollars apiece to fight each other. One was Muhammad Ali, the aging but irrepressible “professor of boxing.” The other was George Foreman, who was as taciturn as Ali was voluble. Observing them was Norman Mailer, a commentator of unparalleled energy, acumen, and audacity. Whether he is analyzing the fighters’ moves, interpreting their characters, or weighing their competing claims on the African and American souls, Mailer’s grasp of the titanic battle’s feints and stratagems—and his sensitivity to their deeper symbolism—makes this book a masterpiece of the literature of sport.

Michael reluctantly returns to school from being on summer holidays. He's now in year 11, but being a senior carries no weight for him. Michael has been relentlessly bullied for years. As a consequence he has no friends and the teachers couldn't care less about the problem, happier to ignore what happens and pretend it doesn't exist, rather than do anything about it. He's at the point where he's about to give up on everything when he meets an annoying year 9 by the name of Xavier. Michael at first is reluctant to talk to Xavier, however, their paths cross through being on detention, for things they weren't really responsible for. Michael eventually stops being hostile and starts to talk. Soon, the boys find they have a lot in common and although Michael is extremely cautious about trusting Xavier, the two become friends. The story sees Michael's life tossed about, as he is continually bullied, abused and beaten up. Michael struggles to keep it together as there seems to be no escape from being bashed up and humiliated. His friendship with Xavier starts to make a real difference to his life, but it's not an easy path, little does he know Xavier is receiving the same treatment. The effects bullying has had on Michael, becomes more and more apparent, as he feels increasingly insecure and uncertain about everything. Xavier however, reawakens Michael's confidence and brings out his fighting spirit. Through their friendship the boys do their best to battle through their school days. Eventually, things come to ahead as the bullies and the school try to destroy the boys' friendship...

Cassie and Ben are introduced to the controversial world of greyhound racingWhen Ben befriends an older boy named Craig whose father races greyhounds, he is invited to come and see one of their dogs race. Cassie is much less enthusiastic about greyhound racing, and Ben can't understand why. But when a greyhound is brought to the RSPCA shelter after having been abandoned, Ben realizes that in the world of racing dogs, the greyhounds are never the real winners.