As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.

Ninth-grader Kyle has always been the heavyweight on his junior high school wrestling team, but when a new kid shows up he loses the challenge and finds himself relegated to the B-team--until a girl on the squad suggests he move down a weight class.