FanFare

16-year-old Henry has been regularly abducted by aliens since he was 13. But now they've given him a job. The earth will be destroyed in 144 days unless Henry pushes a button to stop it. It seems like an easy choice, but Henry hasn't been digging life lately. His boyfriend committed suicide last year, his best friend dropped out of his life too, his dad left years ago without saying goodbye, and his mom is an alcoholic chain smoker trying to get by on a waitress' income. His brother is a sadistic bully who just dropped out of college and moved back home because his girlfriend is pregnant. School is no better. Henry is doing poorly and is a target for the bullies there too, including the popular "straight" kid who he is secretly hooking up with on occasion. Henry isn't seeing any reason that the world should continue on in 144 days. He might be doing the world a favor by putting everybody out of their misery. Will he find a reason to push the button? The book gets into big issues of depression, mental health, self-worth, friendship, relationships, and bullying as Henry navigates the 144 days of his life before the world lives or dies on his command.
posted by COD on Apr 6, 2023 - 1 comment

In the wake of a huge personal tragedy, a young man finds himself trapped in his apartment building with his fellow neighbors fighting to survive as humanity turns into monsters. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Mar 23, 2023 - 9 comments

A former victim of abuse sets off to get revenge on her bullies. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Mar 19, 2023 - 3 comments

Bart becomes a target of school bully Nelson Muntz and must find a way to fight back. [more inside]
posted by chinesefood on Feb 9, 2023 - 3 comments

A woman in New York, who seems to have things under control, is faced with a trauma that makes her life unravel. [more inside]
posted by COD on Jan 29, 2023 - 1 comment

In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England. [more inside]
posted by johnofjack on Dec 1, 2022 - 2 comments

Enterprise confronts racism and speleothems. [more inside]
posted by mordax on Jun 17, 2019 - 5 comments

When Skye was in middle school, her best friends showed up at her home one night and wrote "f*ck you" on her garage door. After that, they never spoke again. Now Skye has a son entering middle school, and he can't believe his mom never asked her friends why they did it. So, thirty years later, Skye and her son set off to find out. (Credits: Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was also produced by Kalila Holt, Peter Bresnan, and Stevie Lane. Editing by Jorge Just, with additional editing by Alex Blumberg. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Devon Taylor, Annika Pillsbury  and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Bobby Lord, and Edwin, with additional music by Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, and Hew Time. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records, and our ad music is by Haley Shaw.) [more inside]
posted by progosk on Oct 11, 2018 - 1 comment

Irene must endure 2 weeks of community service at a retirement home. Following her passion for cheerleading, she secretly signs up the senior residents to audition for a dance-themed reality show.
posted by larrybob on Jul 21, 2018 - 2 comments

Carrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom. [more inside]
posted by MoonOrb on May 4, 2018 - 6 comments

I thought I was pretty brave until I met my counterpart from a red state.
Avery's National Geographic Cover
Nat Geo Article
Avery's mom's speech
Music credits: "Telling Me So" and "Spring" (instrumental) by St. Paul de Vence
posted by ellieBOA on Feb 23, 2017 - 1 comment

Gordon and Bullock investigate the murder of a man who died in a battle royale in an office for a position at an investment firm, but Gordon is still distrustful of his colleagues for not defending him when Zsasz came to take him to Carmine Falcone. Bruce gets bullied at school and decides to fight back. Cobblepot tries to make peace with Fish Mooney.
posted by Small Dollar on Nov 11, 2014 - 17 comments