If you like “slice of life” stories, you might want to take a look the series Standing Up To Life by Tiffany Shar. The first book has already earned the “----------=BigCloset Retro Classic!=----------” status.

The series currently is a trilogy of novels Standing Up to Life, Daring to Hope and Dreaming of Cheers that was posted way back in the 2009-2010 time frame. And I think the following quotes from the blurbs make a nice ark from the despair to hope and realization of dreams that nicely summarizes the gist of the trilogy.

Brandon is a bright boy growing up near Albuquerque, New Mexico. He likes school, soccer, computer games, and playing in the school band. Small for his age and youngest in his class, his size has made him the target of every school bully for years. Each year the verbal and physical abuse increases, finally wearing him down to the point he doesn't know if he can continue. Just as he reaches the end of his rope, he is suddenly befriended by a classmate he least expected. As their friendship grows and deepens, Brandon learns the value of a best friend and finds himself moving down a road he never expected. Over the course of the school year, his friend helps him discover and cope with his feelings, hopes, dreams — and fears.

[Principal Henry] wondered what struggles and triumphs her small charge would see this school year. A lucky educator is blessed to mentor at least one student in their career whose intelligence, talent, and drive spurs them to great things in adulthood. ‘I wonder if she'll be one?’

The first book Standing Up to Life introduces our protagonist, and the struggle of self-discovery during the last third of the sixth grade school year. At the same time we are also introduced to the core group of friends that will have the back of our protagonist throughout the series.

In the second book Daring to Hope we learn how our protagonist really blossoming over the summer vacation and going into the seventh grade school year. Surprisingly the support network of friends for our protagonist grows beyond expectations.

In the third book Dreaming of Cheers we accompany our protagonist through the trials and tribulations of enmity from schoolmates, a few relatives and people with minds in development from their hometown. It becomes clear that ignorance can be cured, but unfortunately stupidity is incurable. And unfortunately that same stupidity causes our protagonist a LOT of trauma, both psychological and physical. But despite all that trauma, our protagonist is able to make a few dreams and ambitions come true.

Unfortunately the fourth book that was hinted at at the end of Book 3 did not materialize in the story archive here at BigCloset. Though Book 3 ends with a huge victory for our protagonist at the end of a natural season, we are left with a mayor cliff-hanger of their combined Social Studies and English seventh grade class project. As a reader I am left wondering how that project turned ultimately turned out, though I have no doubt that this group of friends must have made a big splash, given the track record of our protagonist. And if you, dear reader, want to know this class project is about, then you will just have to read the whole trilogy. Otherwise you will lack the background and context.