The Handoff

Themes: Hi-Lo, Sports, urban teens, Track, Running.

All Xavier heard was two laps. He just started running! He ran the first lap as fast as he could. He passed everyone! But by the second, he was winded. It was hard to breathe. He had no energy. Everyone passed him. Finding the "e;right book"e; for struggling learners is essential to build both confidence and proficiency.

Reading supports must be seamless, so that struggling readers are not stigmatized.

The District 13 series does just that--written using carefully chosen vocabulary and simple sentences, the novels offer compelling teen stories about characters that interest young adult readers.

Using sports as a backdrop, these edgy and mature titles confront issues that are of great importance to urban teens, especially teenaged boys: Coming of age, dating, fitting in, friendships, drugs, self-esteem, and school.

Straightforward plots move readers through the 48-pages of text quickly and efficiently with satisfying resolutions.