The Shadow Place — Carol M. Tanzman

The Shadow Place brings together school violence, Instant Messaging, and the loyalty of old friends -- in a suspensful page-turner. Lissa's neighbor and best friend, Rodney, has always been strange, but now he's buyihg guns over the Internet. If Rodney acts on his threats of violence, who will be the victim; his abusive father or one of his taunting classmates.