What Does It Take?

Twelve-year-old Ton Richford is dealing with the usual troubles of growing up, plus a few that are harder to explain. He thinks and speaks in rhymes, which breaks his school's rules for written work. Rather than treating this as a private failing, Ton sees it as a problem other students may share. He believes that being different should not stop anyone from growing and reaching their goals. Standing up to the school board takes courage, but facing a kidnapping takes even more. Partly through his own actions, Ton is pulled into dangerous events, and the story asks whether his confidence and determination will be enough to get him through. Throughout, it returns to one question: what does it take to be heard, to listen, to survive, to grow, and to begin chasing a dream while still a young teenager?