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PRESENTING... THE BLUFORD SERIES

Stories to Experience

The Bluford Series is a collection of ten young adult novels that focus on the lives of a group of high school students and their families. The series draws its name from the school which many of the characters attend: Bluford High, named after Guion "Guy" Bluford, America's first black astronaut.

Set in contemporary urban America, each novel addresses complex topics relevant to the lives of today's students: family, friendship, trust, isolation, violence, and peer pressure, to name a few.

In addition, the books feature male and female characters and include elements from many literary genres, such as mystery, suspense, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. In other words, the Bluford Series offers something for almost every reader.

Finally, the books are short (less than 200 pages) and written in a highly readable style. Reviewed in a national reading journal and praised by students and teachers nationwide, the Bluford Series appeals to readers of all ages.

KEY FEATURES OF THE BLUFORD SERIES

Engaging, accessible writing style:

All Bluford novels were written to appeal to both intermediate and advanced readers. While content in the series is sophisticated enough for high school students and beyond, the reading level for the novels is between 5th and 6th grade.

Relatively short in length:

Each novel in the Bluford Series contains less than 200 pages, encouraging even reluctant readers to read from cover to cover. This feature also increases the likelihood that students will pick up subsequent books once they have completed one book in the series.

Relevant topics for today's middle and high school students:

Topics, themes, and situations in the Bluford Series were chosen to engage students' real-life experiences. By having immediate relevance to students' lives, the books are more likely to keep students' interest--and teach them the value and pleasure of reading.

African-American characters are central to almost every story:

The majority of important characters in the Bluford Series--heroes, villains, and people in between--are African-American. Such central roles reflect the diversity present in many urban schools and promote meaningful text-based connections for students.

Male and female protagonists are present throughout the series:

Taking into account recent research on gender and reading, an effort was made to ensure that students of both sexes would find the Bluford books appealing. As a result, the series features four books with female and three with male protagonists. In addition, important characters of both sexes are in every book.

Multiple literary genres are included to increase appeal to readers:

To account for the varied preferences of young readers, the Bluford Series includes elements of many popular genres for this age group, including mystery, romance, action, and a touch of the supernatural.

 

Lost and Found: This, the first book in the series, centers on the life of Bluford sophomore Darcy Wills. Darcy contends with the return of her long-absent father, the troubling behavior of her younger sister Jamee, and the beginning of her first relationship.

A Matter of Trust: The sequel to Lost and Found, this book centers on Darcy's growing conflict with her old friend, Brisana Meeks. Amid jealousy and competition, Darcy fights for her relationship with Hakeem Randall and struggles with her fears over her own family's future.

Secrets in the Shadows: This book focuses on Roylin Bailey, a Bluford sophomore who appears in A Matter of Trust. Roylin makes a terrible mistake: He steals money to buy a gift for the girl of his dreams and finds himself in a nightmare he cannot escape.

Someone to Love Me: This story is about Cindy Gibson, a Bluford freshman who first appears in Lost and Found. Cindy struggles with a stormy relationship with her mother, ongoing trouble at school, a dangerous boyfriend, and worse. Will her fragile family survive?

The Bully: Darrell Mercer, a 9th grader at Bluford, is at the center of this story. Darrell and his mother move to the Bluford area in the middle of the school year. Physically smaller than his peers, Darrell quickly becomes a target for Tyray Hobbs, the freshman class bully.

The Gun: The sequel to The Bully, this book is about Bluford freshman Tyray Hobbs, the tormentor of Darrell Mercer. The tale traces Tyray's troubled home life, his desire to rebuild his reputation, and his quest to get revenge on Darrell, the only boy who ever stood up to him.

Until We Meet Again: Sequel to A Matter of Trust, this story continues the tale of the Wills family. Darcy learns that Hakeem, her first boyfriend, is moving out of the state. Then her grandmother's health declines and a mysterious new person comes into her life.

Blood Is Thicker: This sequel to Until We Meet Again follows the story of Hakeem Randall after his move to Detroit. Far from Bluford High, Hakeem quickly finds himself in a world of trouble, and his family is at the center of it. To complicate matters, a new girl hopes to make him forget Darcy forever.

Brothers in Arms: Martin Luna, a new student at Bluford High, is at the center of this story. Haunted by the tragic death of his little brother, Martin seeks one thing: revenge. But his mother wants more for her only remaining child. Will Martin listen to her, or will he allow anger to control him?

Summer of Secrets: Darcy Wills is at the center of this tale, a sequel to Until We Meet Again. Darcy hides a painful secret from her friends and family. Yet others-including her parents and her childhood friend-are keeping secrets of their own. When the truth finally surfaces, Darcy's entire world is turned upside down forever.