Contains writing skills handouts and activities to use with 5 novels in the Bluford series. The novels focus on the lives of a group of urban high school students and their families.

The first novel in the Bluford Series.

Tyray Hobbs wants revenge. Weeks ago he was one of the most feared students in Bluford High. But then Darrell Mercer publicly humiliated him, and Tyray lost his reputation. To get it back, he must take down Darrell. But how? With a broken hand, a troubled family, and no friends in sight, Tyray's options are limited. And when the kids he once bullied start threatening him his world completely unravels. Desperate to settle the score and regain respect, Tyray see only ones solution to his problems-- a gun.

Hakeem and Savon are cousins who do not get along at first but work things out.

Lionel Shephard dreams of joining the NBA, but while his father disapproves of his plans, his teachers are threatening to fail him--unaware of his poor reading abilities--and Lionel needs to decide how far he is willing to go for his dreams.

This story continues the tale of the Wills family. Darcy learns that Hakeem, her first boyfriend, is moving out of the state. Then her grandmother's health declines and a mysterious new person comes into her life.

Martin Luna struggles to rebuild his life after the death of his little brother and finds himself getting in trouble in school and at home.