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?" "Terrific pacing and a real sense of what makes people tick."--Kirkus "Sports fiction gains a new dimension with this soccer-based tale of gay prejudice, hypocrisy, and competition."--SLJ Starred review. Selected for the ALA list of "Books for the Reluctant Reader."