Twelve Days in August

When Alex Beekman and his twin sister, Rita, move to town, Alex threatens sixteen-year-old Todd O'Connor's position on the varsity soccer team, as well as that of Randy Tovitch, the star striker. Randy starts a name-calling campaign, calling Alex "a fag" in order to force him from the team. As team members choose sides, Todd faces the loss of his girlfriend and learns a painful family secret from his beloved uncle. Will Todd cave in to peer pressure-or will he get off the fence and find a way to "do the right thing?" Selected for the ALA list of "Books for the Reluctant Reader."