Crutcher brings back an assortment of characters from his earlier books in new situations in three separate novellas. If you miss Angus Bethune, Sarah Byrnes, Marcus James, Montana West and others, this is your chance to catch up with them. ( )

Chris Crutcher has resurrected characters from previous books and short stories in the three novellas comprising Angry Management, the nickname of a teen counseling group. Misfits Sarah Byrnes, facially scarred by her abusive father, and obese Angus Bethune, with two sets of gay parents, find each other and some insights on their respective lives. Liberal minded Montana West battles her conservative father and the school board, which he heads, over freedom of the high school student press. Additionally she must advocate for her emotionally stunted five year old foster sister who her controlling father wants to return to the foster care system. The only black and openly gay student in his high school, Marcus James confronts bigotry, primarily in the form of Roger Marshall, whose family has a history of bigotry and violence. He is aided by an unexpected source, fellow student Matt Miller, a devout Christian who barely knows Marcus.

There is nothing new in Angry Management, but that is fine. It is Crutcher, in his inimitable fashion, denouncing bigotry and hatred, advocating for abused children, and promoting constitutional freedoms. Readers may not remember some of the characters, but that does not matter. The stories are well written, action packed, engrossing and at times humorous. Readers will root for some characters, despise some and some will tug at their emotions. Characters are portrayed realistically and not all stories have happy, storybook endings. However, Crutcher infuses the endings with hope. A good introduction to Crutcher, Angry Management will certainly please current fans as well. ( )