Events of the hijacking of a bus of children by terrorists seeking the return of their homeland are described from the perspectives of a hostage, a terrorist, an Army general involved in the rescue operation, and his son, chosen as the go-between.

Sent to counseling for hitting his girlfriend, Caitlin, and ordered to keep a journal, sixteen-year-old Nick recounts his relationship with Caitlin, examines his controlling behavior and anger, and describes living with his abusive father.

In Mississippi in 1955, a sixteen-year-old finds himself at odds with his grandfather over issues surrounding the kidnapping and murder of a fourteen-year-old African American from Chicago.

While tracking down the long-lost father of his best friend Jeremy, popular eighteen-year-old Sebastian calls on a network of favors and debts and begins to question his way of life.

Eighteen-year-old Barry competes in a non-sanctioned boxing match in hopes of helping his recently-widowed mother, unaware that his best friend and manager, Alby, has his own desperate need for a share of the purse that may put their friendship on the line.

"In order to defeat Ohtsutsuki Isshiki and protect the village, Naruto and Kurama use their ultimate trump card. This new mode may give them the power to win, but only at the cost of their lives. Will it be enough?"--