ACTING OUT: Six One-Act Plays, Six Newbery Stars

ACTING OUT includes six one-act plays by the following Newbery Winners - AVI, Susan Cooper, Sharon Creech, Patricia MacLachlan, Katherine Paterson, and Richard Peck.

Each play includes character descriptions, detailed stage direction, and production hints from each author. The unique element in the plays is in the instructions given to the six authors turned playwrights. They were asked to write the scripts about anything they wanted, but each was asked to choose one word to be used in all six of the plays. In an introduction by the editor, the six words are revealed so readers have the pleasure of watching for their appearance as they read through each play.

The plays do reflect the authors' styles, so readers familiar with their other works will enjoy these quick reads. ACTING OUT provides excellent material for a casual read or for actual performances in the classroom or beyond.

CHASING WINDMILLS by Catherine Ryan Hyde

They met late one night on the subway. They exchanged glances and shy smiles, and finally they began to talk.

Seventeen year old Sebastian sneaks out at night. His domineering father home-schools him, makes decisions for him, and keeps an eye on him every minute of every day. Sebastian knows that only the nights are his after his father takes his sleeping pill.

Maria is a young mother of two, living with an abusive boyfriend. She is riding the subway because she is too afraid to admit to Carl that she has lost her job. She knows it can't go on forever, but once she meets Sebastian it becomes impossible to imagine life without him.

Once Sebastian begins to see the real world, he begins to question how his father has raised him. His only friend, an old woman living in a neighboring apartment, gives him the love his father never shows. With her encouragement he makes a plan to escape from his father and take Maria with him. He contacts the maternal grandmother he barely remembers and learns his father has not just sheltered him, but also lied to him. His mother didn't die. She is alive and well in the Mojave Desert where he is welcome anytime.

Author Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of Sebastian and Maria in altering chapters. The fear and pain of their loveless lives scream from the pages. I found myself feeling the absence of one when the chapter I was reading focused on the other. Even though CHASING WINDMILLS somewhat parallels several famous love stories of the past, it has its own unique voice and interpretation. It will most certainly touch your heart.

THE PILLAR OF LIGHT by A. L. Travis

The complete title of this work is THE PILLAR OF LIGHT: The Legends of Milana. It begins the adventures of Nani val Dynia and the six pillars in a strange and mysterious land.

Nani's story begins when a tall stranger brings her to the home of Doc and Ruth Miller. They are missionaries in Brazil, and are stunned when the stranger arrives carrying the injured and bound Nani. He tells them only her name and hands them a mysterious necklace. Then he asks them to keep Nani and necklace safe and leaves as mysteriously as he came.

Nani becomes part the missionary couple's life over the next three years. She is welcomed by the natives and learns their ways. When a group of high school students arrives, Nani volunteers to take them to a nearby village. Their trip is uneventful until Nani makes a sharp turn on the road and nearly runs into the tall stranger standing in the middle of the road. She swerves to avoid him, sending the truck over a cliff.

When the teens awaken from the crash, they discover they are no longer in Brazil and perhaps not even on the planet Earth. They wander in the forest until they are found by a man named Kalin. He takes care of them and begins to explain the strange world they have landed in. It soon becomes obvious that Nani is really from this world, and she holds a secret that could save those living there.

THE PILLAR OF LIGHT is the start of a new series sure to be a success with readers of fantasy and science fiction. Nani and her friends will be returning to continue their adventures as they solve the mysteries of the remaining five pillars.

THE GAME OF MY LIFE: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph, and Growing Up Autistic by Jason "J-Mac" McElwain

THE GAME OF MY LIFE is about Jason McElwain, the high school senior who scored six three point shots for his basketball team. You may remember having heard about him on the news back in 2006. It wouldn't have been so unusual, except he was just the team manager not a regular player, and he suffered from autism.

Diagnosed with severe autism as a toddler, many people never expected Jason to communicate with others or even attend public school, let alone possibly break a high school basketball scoring record. He tells his unique story with the help of author Daniel Paisner.

The book is written in Jason's clear, direct, and inspiring voice. His story is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about autism, especially those interested in hearing a story about success in coping with this complicated and often misunderstood condition.

WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT by Maryrose Wood

Sixteen-year-old Morgan just broke up with her boyfriend. Breaking up with a boyfriend sometimes makes a person do crazy things. So she decided to cut off her hair leaving black stubble streaked with her natural strawberry blonde roots, what's the big deal? Can't a girl do something to get her mind off her problems?

Morgan is shocked when her parents' reaction to her hair cutting stunt and near depression caused by her failed romance is to pack her up and ship her off. Not off to a nearby relative or a summer camp, but off to Ireland on a cross-country bike trip. Ireland! A whole other country, clear across the ocean!

At first this unexpected trip has Morgan pitching a fit, but once she arrives in Ireland and accepts the fact, she begins to see the possibilities for adventure. Although her travel companions are an odd bunch, she immediately recognizes that the young, good-looking tour guide has quite a bit of potential. Things might not be so bad after all.

After a nasty spill off her bicycle, Morgan finds even more adventure. While unconscious, she is transported to a different time in Irish history where she becomes the legendary Morganne. Repeated bouts of this "time travel" involve a character named Fergus, a king, and other odd and mysterious creatures.

Maryrose Wood, author of SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE, has created a fun-filled tale complete with humor, romance, fantasy, and rebellious teenage adventure. Readers are sure to be captivated by Morgan's honest, refreshing spirit. An added bonus is the terrific cover artwork!