Bruce Ingram

As they pass the halfway point in their high school journey, life begins to get more serious for the four classmates in Eleventh Grade Stress. Luke continues to wrestle with math and the standardized state tests. He takes refuge in his work on the yearbook and his solitary fishing trips. The hostility of his girlfriend's father abruptly ends the most rewarding relationship of his life. He tries to start over. Elly is getting along better than ever with her parents, especially her status-conscious mother, because she is dating the star quarterback for the school's football team. But her folks don't seem to care about, or even suspect, the secret damage that this relationship is doing to Elly's body and self-esteem. Marcus still loves basketball, but literary classics and American history classes are beginning to open his eyes to life beyond the court. His planned campus visit to the nearby state university leads his father to sit down and have "the talk" with him. Mia is still on track to graduate first in her class and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, but her home life is troubled. Her parents finally reach a breaking point, and Mia finds herself worrying about her mother's prospects and trying to protect her little sisters. Big games, dances and parties produce moments of happiness and joy. But as the classmates' final year in high school swims into view, with a series of forced choices staring them in the face, they find all of the stakes are getting higher.

Tenth Grade Angst (a sequel to Ninth Grade Blues, 2017) continues the story of four teens as they negotiate the roller-coaster ride of high school. Now sophomores, they grapple with growing independence and changing dreams and ambitions. Luke: a shy, hard-working boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Luke continues to come out of his shell with the friendly encouragement of Mia. His love for hunting, fishing, and all things nature-related keeps him sane and grounded, while ongoing problems with his dad worsen. Elly: a bit overweight and a lot insecure in her freshman year, Elly joins her mom at the gym, sheds a few pounds and discovers she can set her cap for star football players. But is that always a good idea? Marcus: a football and basketball star, Marcus comes down to earthdiscovering that there are limits to his athletic career. And, a series of rebuffs lead him to reflect on the best way to a girls heart. Mia: a straight-A student who looks like a good bet to be the class valedictorian, Mia is also on track to realize her dream of becoming a pediatrician. But just how angry will her poppa get if she insists on dating Luke?

Ninth Grade Blues follows four teens through the adventures and misadventures of the first year of high school. Interweaving first person stories are told by: Luke: a shy, poorly dressed boy from the wrong side of the tracks. But he has hidden talents in science -- and he is even appealing to some girls. Elly: sociable and friendly, Elly worries about getting a boy to like her. She has frizzy hair, and a few excess pounds. However, she is also a top notch student. Elly has her life mapped out, all the way through a big church wedding and a house in the suburbs. Marcus: a freshman superstar, Marcus plays football and basketball at the varsity level and has his sights on a D-I college scholarship. He worries about having to choose between the NBA and the NFL. Mia: a smart, dedicated girl who gets straight A's. Her Mexican-American parents are intent on matching her up with a nice Hispanic boy. But Mia and Luke begin studying together, and very soon, Mia develops other opinions.

The James River is Virginia's premier river for recreation, and The James River Guide is the key to enjoying it, whether you are an angler, kayaker, rafter, or bird watcher. Twenty-nine locator maps provide vital information on the river, all the way from its headwaters near Iron Gate to the dramatic fall line at Richmond. The longest river in the Old Dominion, the James offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state. Spring blossoms, fall color, and the fascinating history of the batteaux era s canals lend the James a unique charm. There is something for everyone. River runners will face everything from placid stretches of calm water to white-water rapids that should only be tackled by the most experienced paddler. This new edition for 2015 includes updated and expanded information on favorite float trips, including new coverage of the marvelous Maury River, the main tributary of the Upper James; favorite fishing spots; updated access points; classic fishing lures; and directories of river guides and other resources.

The New River is one of the most changeable and fickle rivers on the East Coast and also one of the most beautiful and rewarding. It attracts anglers, canoeists, kayakers, rafters, bird watchers, rock climbers, and those who simply enjoy the great outdoors. The New River Guide provides an indispensable overview of this untamed and scenic waterway as it winds through three states, including the bucolic South Fork in North Carolina, the ridges of Virginia, and the gorges of West Virginia. Both casual and hardcore anglers will learn of the best places to fish for smallmouth bass. Canoeists will find the most enticing sections to paddle, whether they prefer placid stretches or white water. Rafters and kayakers headed for Class IV rapids in the New River Gorge will find The New River Guide a must-read. This new edition for 2015 includes updated and expanded information on favorite float trips, fishing spots, access points, bass lines and lures, and river guides and other resources.