Foreword x
Introduction 1
1. Achieving Dreams
The Turnaround 5
Trash Bags Are for Trash 8
Run with It 13
The Back of David's Head 17
Going to the Dogs 21
If I Could Change the World for the Better, I Would…*NSYNC and Friends 25
A Run to Remember 31
Shining Down, Michael Kavalinas as told 33
Dreams 36
2. Friendship
The Code Word 40
School Blues 43
Just Trying to Fit In 45
Coming Back to Seattle 47
A Bossy Friend 50
The Forgotten Friend 52
Backfire! 55
Best Friends 59
My Big Solo 60
Now You See It, Now You Don't 63
3. Family
Browbeaten 67
Accepting Change 69
A New Way to Learn 73
Families That Care, Care About Families 75
Forever Garrett 78
Supper David 83
Mom 86
4. Love
Bobby Lee 90
Love Lives On 93
The Teacher Who Cared 97
The Act of Love 99
Cry When You Are Sad 101
Only Love Lasts Forever 104
The Reason for Living 106
5. Death and Dying
Ryan's Story 109
I'll Never Forget Him 112
An Angel in Disguise 114
Don't Forget to Say I Love You 118
Grandma's Cloud Game 120
Mr. Oberley's Star 123
In Every Thought 126
6. Attitude and Perspective
An Odd Name 130
A Healthy Mindset 132
Big at Heart, Mark Schulle as told 135
The Best Christmas I Never Had 138
The Hidden Treasure, Debbie King as told 143
The Snow Angel 145
You'll Be Good for Him 147
Scott 149
Adam's Apples 151
Who Said There's No Crying in Softball? 153
The Yellow Piece of Paper 155
Hard Work Pays Off 158
7. Overcoming Obstacles
I Did It! 162
Finding My Voice 166
From Freak to Friend 168
Annie Wiggle-Do 171
Two Percent Is Enough 174
The First Day of Middle School 176
Perfect, I'm Not 180
A Little Coaching 183
The Power of the Pen, Arlys Angelique Endres as told 186
Tough, Sturdy and Triumphant 190
8. Choices
A Meal with a Smile 193
Do What You Love 197
Two Tickets to the Big Game 200
Fireplug and Dad 204
Nice Catch! 209
The Gorilla Syndrome 212
Just Desserts 217
A Chicken-Noodle-Soup Day 220
A Silent Voice 223
Walking with Grandpa 225
9. Tough Stuff
Sleepover Sadness 229
Ants 231
Kelsey 233
Losing Mom 237
Celebrate the Good Days 240
For the Best 243
My One Regret 245
The Perfect Figure 247
Pale Dawn of a New Day 249
10. Changes
The Voice Crack 253
The Orange Bike 257
My Very First Kiss 259
Papa, Brian Normandin as told 263
Taking a Stand 267
Just Do It! 271
1. Love You, Lindsey 273
My Best Friend 275
You Know You're Growing Up When…Multiple Authors 277
11. Eclectic Wisdom
How My Parents Ruined My Sixth Grade Life 281
Two Weeks 284
Calm and Confident 287
Tippy 289
Never Put Rocks in Your Mouth 292
The Moment I Knew I'd Never Be Cool 294
Kindness Is a Simple Gift 297
Our Christmas Secret 299
What I've Learned So Far, Multiple Authors 302
Afterword: The End 307
Meet Our Original Contributors 308
Meet Our New Contributors 322
Thank You 325