"Identical" by Ellen Hopkins

Identical twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne lead what looks like the perfect life. But appearances can be deceiving. Eight years ago, their father, a respected judge, was involved in a fatal car accident. Since the incident, their home life has been in shambles. Their mother is embarked on an ambitious campaign for congress, and is emotionally unavailable. Kaeleigh endures repulsive sexual abuse from her father, and turns to cutting and bulimia to stifle her pain. Raeanne rebels against her family and finds solace in drugs and promiscuity. Each twin tells her side of the story in alternating verse. This is raw emotion, and will draw the reader in, but not for the faint of heart. Best for 9th and up.

"Tales from Outer Suburbia" by Shaun Tan

Strip malls, track housing, and white picket fences jump into my mind when I think of suburbia. Everything's the same, people are happy and stability and routine are the norm.

Shaun Tan has thrown this stereotypical image in the garbage. This quirky collection of 15 concise graphic stories has uprooted every notion I held about suburban life.

Magical surrealism surrounds the story Eric, when an unexpected exchange student gives his host family an unworldly symbol of gratitude for their hospitality.

Grandpa's Story describes how two young lovers were sent away before their wedding "past the factories and landfills" and "beyond all the signs and roads." Their epic journey forces them to leave the safety of the neighborhood and they encounter disturbing creatures and imagined universes, embellished by Tan's glorious illustrations.

Two siblings embark on a scavenger hunt to find where their map ends in Our Expedition, and each household is given its own inter-continental ballistic missile in alert but not alarmed.

These modern fairy tales blew me away with their stunning drawings, quirky characters and a mysticism that left my imagination wanting more. Tales from Outer Suburbia are ideal stories for anyone wanting to escape the normalcy of suburban life.

If you haven't heard of Shaun Tan before, he is a very talented illustrator from Western Australia. His book The Arrival was a New York Times bestseller and he has received high praise and numerous awards for his work. You can learn more about Shaun and view his art at http://www.shauntan.net/

"13 Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen receives a mysterious package of cassette tapes. Upon listening to the first tape, he discovers that they are from his classmate, Hannah Baker, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah narrates her life at high school, revealing 13 people who influenced her, and how she came to the conclusion to take her own life.

Clay and Hannah went to school together, worked together at the movie theatre and even had the potential for romantic involvement. As Clay listens to Hannah's story, he is devastated to learn about her true feelings and inner turmoil. Hannah wants all 13 people to listen to her, and gives detailed instructions on retracing her steps in the time before her death.

The Centers for Disease control report that it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. If you need to talk to someone about suicide, you can call 1-800-suicide or visit http://www.hopeline.com/

"The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart

Frankie didn't plan on becoming a criminal mastermind, it just sort of happened...She used to be part of the geek squad, complete with debate club, and awkward, nerdy friends. But something changes her sophomore year, and she finds herself dating gorgeous senior, Matthew Livingstone. Alabaster Preparatory Academy has a long standing tradition, a secret society called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. It's been around for decades and Frankie's own father was part of this good old boys club. This exclusive fraternity is known for throwing the best parties and masterminding the most elaborate pranks the school has ever seen. The only problem is that it's a brotherhood, which means no girls allowed. Frankie doesn't like to be excluded, and she's used to getting her way. Her feminine competitive nature comes out and Frankie's determined to get into this inner circle, even if it comes with the risk of getting suspended!!