Nobody knows what to make of the new boy in Frannie's class.Not only does he look different, but he's kind to everyone, herefuses to fight, and he doesn't even seem to mind when the otherkids nickname him Jesus Boy. But as winter progresses, Frannierealizes that she's starting to see a whole lot of things in a newlight: her brother's deafness, her mother's fear, her friendSamantha's faith, their classmate Trevor's anger, and her owndesire for hope - "the thing with feathers." And it's all becauseof Jesus Boy's differences . . . and his friendship.
At the age of fourteen, Francisco Jimenez, together with hisolder brother Roberto and his mother, are caught by la migra.Forced to leave their home, the entire family travels all night fortwenty hours by bus, arriving at the U.S. and Mexican border inNogales, Arizona. In the months and years that follow, Francisco,his mother and father, and his seven brothers and sister not onlystruggle to keep their family together, but also face crushingpoverty, long hours of labor, and blatant prejudice. How theysustain their hope, their goodheartedness, and tenacity is revealedin this moving sequel to The Circuit. Without bitterness orsentimentality, Francisco Jimenez finishes telling the story of hisyouth.
When the four Stanley children meet Amanda, their new stepsister, they're amazed to learn that she studies witchcraft. They're stunned to see her dressed in a strange costume, carrying a pet crow and surrounded by a pile of books about the supernatural. It's not long before Amanda promises to give witchcraft lessons to David, Jamie and the twins. But that's when strange things start happening in their old house. David suspects Amanda of causing mischief, until they learn that the house really was haunted long ago.
