In Southern California, fifteen-year-old Yancy Aparacio, fed up with the physical and mental abuse his older brother Will inflicts, runs away on his horse, Shy, and tries to become invisible.

Ever since the mass shooting at her California high school, junior Morgan Grant has become increasingly agoraphobic until even the idea of stepping outside her door can bring on a panic attack, a situation not made any easier by the fact that her parents are divorced--but when Evan moves in next door she finds herself attracted to him and begins to find herself longing for the life she has been missing.

An overprotective mother, an unfriendly older sister, and a friend-stealing school bully are some of the challenges faced by thoughtful ten-year-old Ben Hunter of Filmland, California.

Joss is given a mission to eradicate vampires in his home town of Santa Carla, where he will need to protect his family including cousin Henry, who still carries a grudge.

Steve "Sneeze" Wyatt takes half of his classes at the high school, where he attracts the attention of a bully on the varsity golf team, while at middle school all of his friends seem to be falling in love--including Sneeze, himself.

Four diverse seventh and eighth graders at southern California's San Paulo Junior High tell, from their unique perspectives, of a tumultuous year of changing friendships and romantic interests as they are learning to be themselves.

While Rhyann is working as a shampoo girl to pay off her bill for having a very bad haircut and dye-job fixed at the salon Divine and Mimi use, she meets a special person who challenges, inspires, and changes her forever.

When thirteen-year-old Charlie compromises her values to help Lauren, one of the popular girls, cheat on a test, her identical twin sister, Sammie, is inadvertantly pulled into the mess.

Abigail Iris thinks she would rather be an only child, but after going on vacation with her best friend, who is an "Only," she realizes there are benefits to being one of many.

Fifteen-year-old Molly gains support from her extended Irish American family and enlightenment in Girl Corps philosophy and activities as she deals with a cheating boyfriend and overbearing best friend.