A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021 The companion to Rex Ogle’s award-winning Free Lunch is a searing account of adolescence in a household torn by domestic violence. Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical relationship with his passionate, fierce mother; and charts the trajectory of his stepdad’s anger. Hovering over Rex’s story is the talismanic presence of his unborn baby sister. Through it all, Rex threads moments of grace and humor that act as beacons of light in the darkness. Compulsively readable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told, Punching Bag is a remarkable memoir about one teenager’s cycle of violence, blame, and attempts to forgive his parents—and himself.

Winner of the 2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout. Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble—all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives. Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HEAVY BAG COMBINATIONS Heavy Bag Combinations is the second book in Sammy Franco’s best-selling Heavy Bag Training Series. This unique book is your ultimate guide to mastering devastating heavy bag punching combinations. Practitioners who use this guide as a reference tool will quickly improve their heavy bag training skills. In fact, the punching combinations featured in this text will dramatically improve your fighting skills, condition your body, and breathe new life into your current heavy bag program. ACHIEVE MAXIMUM TRAINING PERFORMANCE Heavy Bag Combinations will help you achieve maximum training performance in a variety of activities including: Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Kick Boxing, Self-Defense, and Personal Fitness. 30+ YEARS OF RESEARCH, TRAINING AND TEACHING This one-of-a-kind book is based on self-defense expert, Sammy Franco’s 30+ years of research, training and teaching the martial arts and fighting sciences. He has taught these unique heavy bag skills to thousands of his students and now he’s finally put them down in a comprehensive book.A A HEAVY BAG BOOK FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS! With over 300+ photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions, Heavy Bag Combinations provides beginner, intermediate and advanced heavy bag workout combinations that will challenge you for the rest of your life! In fact, even the most experienced athlete will advance his fighting skills to the next level and beyond.Infinite Combinations Means INFINITE HEAVY BAG WORKOUT PROGRAMS! The best feature of this book is Sammy Franco’s “combination blending” formula that teaches you how to easily create an infinite amount of unique punching combinations. As a result, you get: -An unlimited supply of heavy bag combinations that will challenge you for a lifetime. -An invaluable tool that prevents your heavy bag training from becoming boring, stagnant, and monotonous. This means you are less likely to quit or abandon your workouts. -A fantastic training method that develops mental toughness. The THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE HEAVY BAG WORKOUT BOOK Whether you need stand-alone heavy bag combinations or a comprehensive heavy bag training program, you will find it in this exceptional book!

IF YOU OWN A HEAVY BAG, YOU NEED THIS BOOK! The heavy bag is one of the oldest pieces of workout equipment. It is regularly used by boxers, mixed martial artists, self-defense students, and fitness enthusiasts. Unfortunately, most people don't know how to properly use the heavy bag. Impatiently, they rush out to their local sporting goods store, buy a bag and begin wailing on it without a care in the world. In most cases, they are hitting it incorrectly, developing dangerous habits and possibly injuring their body. GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HEAVY BAG WORKOUTS! Heavy Bag Training for Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Self-Defense is the first book in Sammy Franco's best-selling Heavy Bag Training Book Series. In this unique book, world-renowned martial artist and self-defense expert, Sammy Franco provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to maximize your heavy bag workouts. In this information-packed guide, you'll find the important answers to the questions about all aspects of heavy bag training. Heavy Bag Training covers the following: How to purchase a quality heavy bag The benefits of heavy bag training How to design your own heavy bag workouts Sample time-based heavy bag workouts How to properly set up the heavy bag Heavy Bag hanging systems Heavy bag training safety tips Essential heavy bag gear Hand wrapping techniques for intense heavy bag training The fighting stance for heavy bag training Mobility and footwork during heavy bag workouts How to punch the heavy bag correctly How to avoid hand injuries The best hand strengthening exercises for bag work The fighting ranges used during bag training Heavy bag kicking techniques Punching techniques Grappling strikes on the bag Bonus! Heavy bag workout tips OVER 100 KICKING, PUNCHING & GRAPPLING STRIKING COMBINATIONS! Heavy Bag Training for Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Self-Defense includes over one hundred different kicking, punching and grappling striking combinations! If you are serious about training and want to get the most out of your heavy bag workout, then you will want to read and study this book!

Autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities -- Foundations of autplay therapy -- The autplay therapy approach -- Research and case studies -- Emotional regulation interventions -- Social skills interventions -- Connection interventions -- Additional resources.

100% HARD-CORE HEAVY BAG TRAINING! Heavy Bag Workout features over two dozen “out of the box” workout routines that will maximize your fighting skills for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, self-defense, and personal fitness. 30+ YEARS OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS This book is based on self-defense expert, Sammy Franco’s 30+ years of research, training and teaching the martial arts and fighting sciences. He has taught these exclusive workout routines to thousands of his students and now he’s put them down in this instructional book. IMPROVE YOUR SPEED, POWER, TIMING, ENDURANCE AND EXPLOSIVENESS! With over 100 detailed photographs and easy-to-follow instructions, Heavy Bag Workout has beginner, intermediate and advanced workout routines that will improve your speed, power, timing, endurance, and explosiveness. Whether you’re an elite fighter or a complete beginner, this comprehensive book will take your fighting skills to the next level and beyond!

For boxing fans and desk jockeys alike, Desktop Boxing is the perfect desk accessory for fun yet effective stress relief. Don't take out your stress on your coworkers, take it out on this mini punching bag! Box includes: A mini desktop punching bag with suction cup base Two tiny boxing gloves for your pointer fingers A mini book with basic finger boxing moves and boxing trivia

A complete and comprehensive training manual on how to use the Speed Bag as a unique fitness workout. Written for beginners to advanced users, it includes equipment and information on punching techniques.

Fleur Waters never takes anything seriously--until she shows up at her local boxing club one day to prove a point. She's the only girl there, and the warm-up alone is exhausting . . . but the workout gives her an escape from home and school, and when she lands her first uppercut on a punching bag she feels a rare glow of satisfaction. So she goes back the next week, determined to improve. Fleur's overprotective mom can't abide the idea of her entering a boxing ring (why won't she join her pilates class instead?). Her friends don't get it either and even her boyfriend, 'Prince' George, seems concerned by her growing muscles and appetite--but it's Fleur's body, Fleur's life. So she digs in her heels in hope that she can overcome the obstacles and strike a blow for equality.

The Ultimate Guide to Body Opponent Bag Combinations Body Opponent Bag Combinations is the second book in Sammy Franco's best-selling Body Opponent Bag Training Series. This one-of-a-kind book is a complete guide to mastering devastating punching combinations that will dramatically improve your fighting skills, condition your body, and breathe new life into your Body Opponent Bag workouts. Body Opponent Bag Training for All Skill Levels! With dozens of photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions, Body Opponent Bag Combinations provides beginner, intermediate and advanced bag workout combinations that will challenge you for years to come! Even the most experienced athlete will advance his or her fighting skills to the next level and beyond. Whether you need challenging Body Opponent Bag fighting combinations or a comprehensive workout routine, you will find it in this exceptional book! Achieve Maximum Workout Output! Body Opponent Bag Combinations will help you achieve maximum training performance in a variety of activities including: Boxing Mixed Martial Arts Self-Defense Fitness 30+ Years of Research, Training and Teaching Experience! This one-of-a-kind workout book is based on self-defense expert, Sammy Franco's 30+ years of research, training and teaching the martial arts. He has taught these unique Body Opponent Bag skills to thousands of his students and now he's finally put them down in this comprehensive book. Unlimited Routines! The best feature of this book is the "combination blending" formula that teaches you how to easily create an infinite amount of unique punching combinations. As a result, you get: An unlimited supply of workout combinations that will challenge you for years to come. An invaluable training system that keeps you workouts new and exciting. A One-Of-A-Kind Workout Book Whether you need challenging Body Opponent Bag combinations or a comprehensive workout routine, you will find it in this exceptional book!