The Olympics began thousands of years ago in ancient Greece with just one event. Today, athletes from around the world compete in hundreds of events to win honor for themselves and their home countries. The Olympics unite the world, but they are not without serious problems. What does the future hold for the Olympic Games? Take a look inside White Lightning Nonfiction, a hi-lo nonfiction series for students in the middle grades. Mature, high-interest...

Gabby Herrera is not like her perfect sister, Celia-straight-A student, obedient, responsible. Her parents don't get it. They don't get her C-average report card. Her love for basketball. The three of them think anything is possible if you just try hard enough. Well, I have tried. It's not possible. She can't be who she is unless she's just like them. And if she's not like them, she's not a real person. She's a broken person. A broken Herrera. And...

Stay out of my life. Or I'll tell...That was over three years ago. The last time I talked to Amy McNair. One of the prettiest girls in school. She's horse crazy. And an amazing barrel racer. But I'm going to win at the annual rodeo. Beat her. It's all I've got. Even my boyfriend's parents don't accept me. Mainly because of my brothers. They aren't exactly upstanding citizens. People think I'm the same as them. If only they knew.