Joshua T. Bates Books in Order

Joshua has to repeat third grade while his former classmates move ahead. Humiliated and vulnerable to teasing, he struggles with school and his own confidence, with a teacher offering help as he faces another difficult year.

Joshua knows what it feels like to be bullied by Tommy Wilhelm. When a new student becomes Tommy's target, Joshua must decide whether to help him, risking the same harassment he has struggled to escape.

After repeating part of third grade, Joshua finally advances to fourth, where Tommy Wilhelm remains a problem. Trying to appear cool leads Joshua toward cigarettes and a knife, creating troubles that threaten his progress at school.

Starting junior high leaves Amanda isolated from her old friends. A rebellious new appearance and the appeal of a different social group promise belonging, but an invitation to join a club comes with pressure to steal.