Norval and Arnie are two of the stars on the Southside High football team. They're best friends off the field, too, and they're both hoping to play college ball some day. When Coach Green asks Norval to watch Arnie for signs of a concussion, it sounds like spying. But is betraying Arnie the best way for Norval to help his friend?

Rick becomes friends with the popular new boy, Jake Garrett, football player and host of superlative parties, and in the process discovers the true nature of his schoolmates and uncovers the mystery of Jake's past.

Eighteen-year-old José serves as the bridge between his non-English speaking family and the rest of the world, and because his parents are illegal immigrants and extended family lives with them, money is tight so José works nights and arrives at school so tired that teachers at his alternative high school step in to help.

Rob and Gabi skip school and get involved in a deadly accident, and everyone blames Rob. How can he deal with the pain?

Determined to get a girlfriend, nerdy Rashawn asks the dream character for the power of "attraction detection."

A strange dream character offers to grant Cherry her wish for the ability to plant thoughts in other people's minds, from her racist grandmother to her best friend.

After a clash with Coach Z, the Central High Trojan's star wide receiver, Orlando Green, decides to play for the Trojan's archrival, the Athens High Raiders, leaving his best friend Devon to deal with the consequences.

Mallory is anxious about going to boarding school, fitting in with new friends and missing old ones.

For anyone who's ever survived a rite of passage or performed a mating dance at Prom... The Japanese hold a Mogi ceremony for young women coming of age. Latina teenagers get quinceaneras. And Janice Wills of Melva, NC... has to compete in the Miss Livermush pageant. Janice loves anthropology-the study of human cultures-and her observations help her identify useful rules in the chaotic world of high school. For instance: Dancing is an effective mating...

Rachel Kelly was prepared for a high-stress, over-scheduled junior year filled with AP classes, orchestra, and an unrequited crush but after her troubled cousin Misty moves in and upsets Rachel's controlled life, Rachel finds herself becoming sympathetic toward Misty.