"Peak" by Roland Smith

14 year old Peak Marcello loves rock climbing. But after getting arrested for climbing a New York skyscraper, he finds himself facing a stint in juvenile detention. His long-lost father, famous mountaineer, Josh, shows up at court and saves him from doing time. The trade-off? Peak must leave the country and accompany his dad to the top of the world, Mount Everest. The conditions are treacherous and put Peak's climbing skills to the test. Is reaching the summit in Peak's future? Excellent adventure! Great for middle and high school.

"Before I Die" by Jenny Downham

16 year old Tessa gets the news that she's terminally ill and only has 6 months left to live. She creates a mental list of everything she wants to do before she dies. Number one is having sex. Tessa's friend Zoey is her accomplice, and Tessa's supportive family tries to understand her persistance for finishing the list. This is a beautifully written book about what it means to be alive, and ultimately facing the reality of death. Recommended for high school.