The Bluford Series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it.
Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (December 2007)


This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (December 2007)

The Bluford Series novels from Townsend Press 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. These books are especially effective with Middle School students. Each novel contains less than 200 pages, encouraging even reluctant readers to read from cover to cover. 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.

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. 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, Comedy, Drama, action, and a touch of the supernatural.

The books are written by multiple authors, including Anne Schraff (books 1-4, 7), Paul Langan (books 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12), D.M. Blackwell (book 8), Ben Alirez (book 9), and John Langan (book 13).

The books in the series are:

Contents

[edit] #1 Lost and Found

The first book in the series centers on the life of Bluford High sophomore Darcy Wills. Darcy doesn't know what to do with her life at this point. She has to choose between a total stranger who follows her or a threatening note that was left on her desk at her high school. And to make matters worse, her sister Jamee runs away.


[edit] #2 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. Also, an interesting character appears in Darcy's life. A relative that left her five years ago now shows up out of nowhere. What is Darcy going to do?

[edit] #3 Secrets in the Shadows

Roylin Bailey goes to Bluford High School and lives in a low class apartment. One day Roylin sees the most beautiful girl in his life - Korie Archer. He makes friends with her and she talks him into buying her a very expensive (and unaffordable) necklace. To buy the necklace Roylin borrows money (without permission) from his best friend, an old man named Mr. Miller, and finds himself getting into increasing amounts of trouble as a result.

[edit] #4 Someone To Love Me

This book focuses on Cindy Gibson, who first appeared in Lost and Found. Cindy meets a boy, Bobby Wallace, who is her best friend Jamee's ex. Bobby tells Cindy lots of things, but eventually she will realize he's a liar. But when she confronts him, will he hurt her??

[edit] #5 The Bully

This book focuses on the story of Darrell Mercer, a new student at Bluford High. He becomes the target of bullying from a student named Tyray Hobbs. Darrell is a small student, which only adds to his problems. He likes a girl named Amberlynn Bailey, but Tyray will do anything to humiliate Darrell and Amberlynn. Will Darrell stand up to Tyray for the love of Amberlynn, or will he lose his girl, and his pride (well, what's left of it)?

[edit] #6 The Gun/Payback

The sequel to The Bully, this book is about Bluford High 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. Tyray lies and steals to buy a gun, then debates whether or not to use it. Will he kill Darrell? No he will not kill Darrel and the theme of this story is talking about how the troubled home of a teenager can affect others.

  • Originally published as The Gun, this novel was re-published as Payback.

[edit] #7 Until We Meet Again

The sequel to A Matter of Trust, this story continues the tale of the Wills family. Darcy learns that Hakeem, her first boyfriend, is moving to Detroit. Then her grandmother's health declines and a mysterious new person comes into her life.

[edit] #8 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, he meets a new girl, named Anika, and is afraid that he might lose all feelings for Darcy (his girlfriend from California). He is also worried that his cousin, Savon is doing stuff that he shouldn't be doing by coming home late at night and hanging out with the wrong people.

[edit] #9 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?

[edit] #10 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.

[edit] #11 The Fallen

The sequel to Brothers in Arms picks up right where it left off. After breaking away from his old world, Martin Luna finds his new one crumbling. A fight threatens to end his time at Bluford High, he still is seeking revenge, and to top it all off, Frankie is coming after him. As he starts to push everyone away, will he be able to save himself from falling?

[edit] #12 Shattered

This sequel to Summer of Secrets continues the story of Darcy Wills as she begins her junior year at Bluford High School. Eager to repair her relationship with her old boyfriend Hakeem, Darcy discovers that one of her biggest fears has come true. And worse: her closest friends have been secretly lying to her. Will Darcy and Hakeem get back together or will they stay apart?

[edit] #13 Search for Safety

There is no escape for Ben McKee. For weeks, he's covered the bruises on his body. He's even lied to his teachers and new friends at Bluford High School. But the trouble in Ben's house isn't going away. And if he doesn't act soon, it could swallow him and his mother forever. Will he make a decision that can affect the rest of his life?