Bøger af John Paul McKinney

Sixth grader, Nicholas Tullamore, faces constant torment because of his stuttering. When he discovers that he is most comfortable talking to his dog, Cleve, he decides to enter the school's annual speech contest and bring Cleve with him on stage, hoping that a solid performance will stop the teasing and end the bullying he endures.However, just days before the contest, his plans are threatened when the principal informs him that dogs are not allowed in the school. With the looming threat of a lifetime of bullying, will Nick devise a new plan or risk being publicly humiliated by his peers?Told with heart, humor, and honesty, An Ode to Cleve is a touching tribute to the power of courage and the strength within us all. Perfect for anyone who has ever felt like an underdog, this inspiring tale will uplift your spirit, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you cheering for Nick and Cleve long after the final page.

Miramont Park and Other Poems offers its readers a poetic vision into a small, local park in Fort Collins, Colorado during the changing seasons throughout the corona virus. A corona (no pun intended) of fourteen sonnets unmasks the fears and hopes of the park's daily visitors as they go about their everyday lives: young mothers, children in the playground, budding athletes, an Olympian jumper and elderly couples. The second half of this chapbook, A Slew of Sunday Sonnets, explores such topics as homelessness, celibacy, and a few essential feast days in the liturgical year. The book ends with a longer poem, a somewhat light-hearted look at the nature of writing, itself.

High-school principal, Charlie Brannigan, is known for his easy going manner until the day he crosses paths with the Newsome family. When Tommy Newsome flunks out of math class, his mother, Catherine-a powerful member of the school board-calls for his teacher's resignation. In defending the young teacher, Charlie learns just how much sway the Newsome family has within the community. When Tommy and four other star athletes are later accused of leading a dangerous hazing ceremony-threatening their chances to compete at state finals-Charlie must decide if seeking justice is worth risking his job. Complicating his decision, Charlie's wife is facing a dangerous illness. Charlie has always told his wrestling students, "We are men of character first." But how far must one man go to defend his integrity? Charlie's Angle is an intimate story of power, compassion, and commitment. The story takes place in the present time in a fictional town in Wisconsin.