1987 PEN/Discovery Prize Winner selected by Joyce Carol Oates. In the sizzling era of the New Edition, when icons like Prince and Michael Jackson reigned supreme, Hattiesburg, Mississippi was a picturesque, mostly crime-free town. But all that changed in the mid-1980s when the shadow of gangs and drugs descended upon its streets. Still, even in the midst of chaos, love can bloom. Meet Della, a young teenage girl whose heart becomes ensnared by a member of the infamous "Folks" gang, known as "Cheeseburger." However, Cheeseburger remains oblivious to Della's infatuation, while her schoolgirl innocence and boundless imagination lead her into a world of daydreams where they are madly in love. Yet, her imagined romance is as fickle as her emotions. On some days, she despises him, the gang, and the very ground they walk on, aligning herself with her mother's concerns. But, as she candidly puts it, "Then I saw Cheeseburger's arms and fell back in love with him." Embark on an emotional rollercoaster of unrequited love and hate as you follow Della's gripping journey. This poignant story, a 1987 PEN/Discovery Prize winner personally selected by the renowned Joyce Carol Oates, will immerse you in a world where love transcends the boundaries of circumstance and danger, ultimately revealing the profound impact it has on Della's life. Excerpt The week that I wasn't in love with Cheeseburger I called him and them other boys dogs, and Mama seemed happy with me. We talked about what a shame it was them thugs, from up north were comin' down south, bringin' that dope with 'em, and breakin' into people's houses. Everybody on the block was gettin' burglar bars and bad dogs. Hattiesburg was hirin' more police. It was just a shame, me and Mama agreed. Then I saw Cheeseburger's navel and fell back in love with him. And Mama started fussin' at me 'cause I was a girl and not a boy. She said I was drawin' them nigguhs to her fence like shit draws flies. My Mama said that to me. And no matter how much I looked like I was ignorin' those boys (I really was ignorin' ol' Polo Mack), she fussed more. Even when they didn't paint the moon and stars on her fence, she fussed. Please enjoy other stories included with this awarding winning piece.

What about plants? Don't animals eat other animals? There are no perfect vegans, so why bother? If you're vegan, how many times have you been asked these, and other similarly challenging, questions from non-vegans? Using humor and reason, Sherry F. Colb takes these questions at face value and also delves deeply into the motivations behind them, coming up with answers that are not only intelligent but insightful about human nature. Through examples, case studies, and clear-eyed logic, she provides arguments for everything from why veganism is compatible with the world's major religions to why vegetarianism is not enough. In the end, she shows how it is possible for vegans and non-vegans to engage in a mutually beneficial conversation without descending into counterproductive name-calling, and to work together to create a more hospitable world for human animals and non-human animals alike. "A rare fusion of passion and logic, idealism and pragmatism, style and substance, and--in its measured confrontation of the most challenging questions vegans face--a revolutionary guide for advocates seeking to engage the ethics of eating animals through authentic dialogue rather than bombastic rhetoric. Colb's literary touch is something to behold. She writes in a way that will appeal to non-vegans and vegans alike, building bridges across an all too turbulent divide. This is food writing at its best and food writing as it should be: honest, inclusive, inspirational, and, more than you might imagine, timely."--James McWilliams, Professor of History, Texas State University, San Marcos, and author of Just Food and The Politics of the Pasture "With compassion, humor, and eloquence, Sherry Colb provides a clear and engaging account of what motivates vegans to eat and live the way we do. A must-read for anyone who has ever wondered (or been asked) 'Why do vegans think it is okay to kill plants but not animals?' or 'Why avoid dairy and eggs?'"--Rory Freedman, New York Times bestselling co-author of Skinny Bitch and author of Beg "Sherry Colb provides thoughtful, articulate, intelligent answers to the commonly asked questions faced by every vegan. Intertwining information, reason, and her own personal experience, Colb offers an invaluable aid both for those answering the questions and for those posing them. The perfect companion "--Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, bestselling author and creator of The 30-Day Vegan Challenge "A powerful, compelling, and thoroughly engaging defense of veganism from an absolutely terrific legal scholar."--Gary L. Francione, Board of Governors Professor of Law and Katzenbach Distinguished Scholar of Law and Philosophy, Rutgers University, author of Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog? "With crystal clear logic and an empathic voice, Sherry Colb has written a must-read source for anyone curious, skeptical, or downright antagonistic towards vegan living. This book is destined to be a classic of the emerging vegan oevre."--Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D., author of The Exultant Ark "Full of thoughtful analyses of some of the most common, perplexing, and often challenging reactions to vegans and veganism. Any vegan or vegetarian who has wished they'd had a more informed response to a question or challenge about their ideology--and anyone who wants to better understand some of the fundamental concepts of veganism--will benefit from reading Sherry Colb's in-depth exploration of the issues."--Melanie Joy, Ph.D., author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

a collection of stories about the mysterious nature of life

Laugh-out-loud humor and a tender friendship blossom in author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo's charming picture book about a lonely raccoon and a glowing seed, and the world's most important question: Can this seed grow cheeseburgers? Grub is a lonely racoon. Rumbling in the trash. Looking for food. Seed is, well, a seed! Patiently waiting in the trash. Hoping someone will plant it. When the two finally meet, they realize they might be able to help each other! Grub has just one big question first: What will Seed grow? Could Seed grow Grub's favorite food, mouthwatering cheeseburgers? Seed isn't sure what a cheeseburger is exactly, but . . . maybe! And so begins a hilarious friendship following two unlikely strangers learning more about the other and discovering the pressure that comes with fulfilling expectations. Author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo will leave readers giggling and clamoring for more in this charming story that celebrates the unexpected--and how the most special friendships bloom only when we are unapologetically ourselves.

In three separate scrumptious stories, children help adults solve problems related to food, first by saving a restaurant from being shut down, second by untangling a mess in a spaghetti factory, and finally by selling donuts to raise funds for a stolen car. Simultaneous. 45,000 first printing.

What's scarier than a ghost story? Three ghost stories, of course. And these three stories, told to little ghosts at bedtime, are the scariest kind of ghost stories there are-they're about people! From a ghost who becomes the victim of a baby in need of a diaper to a hamburger that can win a scaring contest just by lifting its bun, these hilariously illustrated silly stories are sure to bring Halloween laughs to even the littlest ghosts.

The definitive guide to creating the most mouthwatering hamburgers by America’s leading burger expert—expanded and updated with new and improved recipes The Great American Burger Book was the first book to showcase a wide range of regional burger styles and cooking methods. In this new, expanded edition, author and burger expert George Motz covers traditional grilling techniques as well as how to smoke, steam, poach, smash, and deep-fry burgers based on signature recipes from around the country. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific regional burger, and includes the history of the method and details on how to create your own piece of American food history right at home. Written by Motz, the author of Hamburger America and hailed by the New York Times as a “leading authority” on hamburgers, The Great American Burger Book is a regional tour of America’s best burgers. Recipes feature regional burgers from California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. International locations include: Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Malaysia, and Turkey. This is a book for anyone who loves a great burger, unique or classic. And who doesn’t love a great burger? These mouthwatering recipes include Connecticut’s Steamed Cheeseburger, The Tortilla Burger of New Mexico, Iowa’s Loosemeat Sandwich, Houston’s Smoked Burger, Pennsylvania’s The Fluff Screamer, and Sheboygan's Brat Burger.