Just a Drop of Water

Ever since he was little, Jake Green has longed to be a soldier and a hero like his grandpa, who died serving his country. Right now, though, he just wants to outsmart—and outrun—the rival cross country team, the Palmetto Bugs. But then the tragedy of September 11 happens. Its quickly discovered that one of the hijackers lived nearby, making Jakes Florida town an FBI hot spot. Two days later, the tragedy becomes even more personal when Jakes best friend, Sam Madina, is pummeled for being an Arab Muslim by their bully classmate, Bobby. According to Jakes personal code of conduct, anyone who beats up your best friend is due for a butt kicking, and so Jake goes after Bobby. But soon after, Sams father is detained by the FBI and Jakes mom doubts the innocence of Sams family, forcing Jake to choose between his best friend and his parents. When Jake finds out that Sams been keeping secrets, too, he doesnt know who his allies are anymore. But the final blow comes when his grandpas real past is revealed to Jake. Suddenly, everything he ever knew to be true feels like one big lie. In the end, he must decide: either walk away from Sam and the revenge that Bobby has planned, or become the hero hes always aspired to be. A gripping and intensely touching debut middle grade novel by Kerry OMalley Cerra, Just a Drop of Water brings the events of September 11, which shook the world, into the lens of a young boy who is desperately trying to understand the ramifications of this life-altering event. Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.