Liz Lighty has always done her best to avoid the spotlight in her small, wealthy, and prom-obsessed midwestern high school, after all, her family is black and rather poor, especially since her mother died; instead she has concentrated on her grades and her musical ability in the hopes that it will win her a scholarship to elite Pennington College and their famous orchestra where she plans to study medicine--but when that scholarship falls through...

Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writers, musicians, and inventors. It's a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up will be sent home at any time, for any reason. The one left standing will win worldwide fame. Who will it be? -- p. [4] of cover.

Jason never turns down a dare, which has gotten him in trouble more than once. After he gives some classmates a hard time about their 'baby bikes' they challenge him to a BMX competition. Jason can't say no. But BMX is way harder than he thought. If he can't learn to ride before the competition, this dare will be his last.

A small group of former classmates organize an elaborate, annual game of tag that requires some to travel all over the country.

A number of teens describe the pros and cons of competition; and offers a survival guide on maintaining a positive attitude while being competitive.

An obsessive college freshman joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an extreme physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost.

Russell has entered the race around the world and knows it's going to be tough. The first leg of the race is through the Amazon rain forest where he and his team face animals, rapids, venom, and sneaky competitors.

While staying at their grandmother's ranch, sisters Tori and Miranda are practicing to compete in different events at the local horse show--but Ashley, a rude and conceited girl who is stabling her pony at the ranch, is constantly criticizing everthing, their costumes, their ponies, Jewel and Buttercup, and generally draining the fun out of the summer.

During a once-in-a-generation competition to find the new empress, Mari, who hides a terrible secret, Taro, the prince who would denounce the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human outcast, will decide the fate of Honoku.

When sixth-grader Manny Ramos, one of the fastest runners on the youth football team, joins the new track club, he hopes that his light weight will be a benefit in racing against more experienced guys.