"Keeping Corner" by Kashmira Sheth

The year is 1918, and Leela is 11 years old, living in India. She got engaged to Ramanlal when she was 2 years old, and her parents married her when she was 9. She still lives with her mother and father, but the following year, she will have an anu (a special ceremony where she will move into her husband's house). This is common for girls Leela's age to marry young. She is one of the few female students left at her school, as most other girls have already moved in with their husband's families. Leela's parents love her, and want what's best for their daughter. However, Leela is devastated when her husband, Ramanlal, unexpectedly dies in an accident. Due to local customs, Leela is now a widow at 11 years old, and can never remarry. She must shave her head and "keep corner" for one year after his death. This basically means she can't leave her parents' house, the ultimate grounding. Her options are severely restricted, and in her eyes, very unfair. But there is talk of change. A man named Gandhi is calling on the government to change the way it treats its workers, and to give more rights to women. Widows are considered bad luck in this time of India's history. If people believe and follow Gandhi's ideas, Leela may have the opportunity to work and go to school.

"Unlocked" by Ryan G. Van Cleave

This is a unique novel-in-verse, good for fans of Ellen Hopkins work. At school, Andy is known as the janitor's son, which doesn't lend much to his reputation, which is already non-existant. Andy befriends Blake, another loner, and he's happy to have company at lunch at after school. Rumors start that Blake is keeping a gun in his locker, and Andy's not sure what to believe. Are the rumors true? And if Blake is planning some sort of violence, should Andy keep the secret?

"The Gardener" by S.A. Bodeen

Mason visits his mom at the nursing home where she works. While he's there, he notices some teenagers are "living" there, which is weird, given nursing homes are normally for old people. The teens are comatose, except for one gorgeous girl who wakes up. She's able to talk to Mason, and he quickly realizes that these special patients may be in trouble. Before he can realize what's happening, Mason is helping the girl escape.

It turns out the hospital is not your typical place for medicine and health. In a special greenhouse, a man called the Gardener is conducting unique experiments. Scientists who work for the Gardener are concerned that the planet will soon run out of food, due to overpopulation and climate change. They are working to develop human autotrophs - humans that don't need to eat, but who can produce and consume their own energy, just like plants!

But, something about this project doesn't seem right, and hospital authorities are soon chasing after Mason and the mysterious girl from the hospital. Is she connected to the Gardener? Something about her isn't quite right, but Mason is determined to protect her at all costs.