"The Disenchantments" by Nina LaCour

“We felt so small with the city lights stretching forever below us, and we yelled at the top of our lungs because we were just these small humans but we felt more longing than could ever fit inside us.”

Colby and Bev have made plans to travel to Europe after graduating from high school. College can wait for a year, exploring the world and doing their own thing is more important. Bev is the lead singer of a band with her girlfriends Alexa and Meg. They call themselves the Disenchantments. They are super loud, somewhat talented and love to rock out and get crazy.

The band decides to embark on an epic road trip for a west coast tour before Colby and Bev leave for their trip. Colby borrows his uncle’s beloved VW van, named Melinda, and they hit the road, ready for adventure. But when Bev confesses she got accepted, and is going to college, Colby is left heartbroken, and without a plan for his future. Colby has been in love with Bev for years, but their relationship has never gone beyond friendship.

Without Bev in his future, Colby must find his own personality and rely on his own strengths to empower himself. In the meantime, he's busy playing stagehand to the band, and the token male in their artistic collaboration. The excitment of the road trip, the thrill of live music and the reality of high school graduation all come together to make the Disenchantments an enjoyable ride.

LaCour's characters are honest, powerful and on the cusp on adulthood, embracing what life experiences have to offer them. Some f-bombs, sexual situations, some alcohol, probably best for 8th and up. Highly recommended.

"Geography Club" by Brent Hartinger

Russel feels like the only gay student at his high school. Well, he’s pretty sure he’s gay, but he’s never dated or kissed a guy before. He’s a pretty average guy, has friends, gets good grades, and has a decent social life. But if anyone knew he was gay, he knows his reputation would be ruined. So he keeps this secret to himself, and even goes on dates with girls to avoid questions about his sexuality. One night Russel goes online in a chat room, and discovers he’s not the only gay student at his school. Turns out that Kevin, the star baseball player, is also in the closet, and Russel learns that other gay students feel just as isolated as he does.

How can they hang out together and talk about these issues without being discovered? Start an after-school club that sounds so boring and lame that no one would ever want to join. That is how the Geography Club got founded. Meeting after school, the group members learn about each other, and start to realize how important it is to be true to yourself and be honest with your friends.

This is a great GBLT novel about discovering yourself, appropriate for 8th grade and up.

"Why We Broke Up" By Daniel Handler

You may recognize the name Daniel Handler, as he is also known as Lemony Snicket, famous for his Series of Unfortunate Events. In this new teen novel, Min and Ed get involved in a brief and intimate relationship, which ends in heartache for Min. They are both high school students, and crossing the boundaries of stereotypes of their high school social groups. Min is an artsy student, an old film fanatic and an obsessive coffee drinker. Ed is a co-captain of the basketball team, and spends his leisure time at bonfires and parties with the popular crowd. Fed up with Ed, Min gathers all mementos of their relationship, throws them in a box, and dumps it off on Ed's doorstep.

This book illustrates "Why We Broke Up" by going through each of these items (bottle caps, ticket stubs, protractor, ugly earrings, etc) and elaborating on the circumstances of how it was required. Their relationship is a bit stormy, as they assure their friends that it is true love. Min struggles to understand basketball, and Ed doesn't know anything about cinema. Maybe opposites do attract?

"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A pilot accidentally crashes his plane and lands in the Sahara Desert. While he is wondering how he will survive without food or water, he meets a wandering prince. The little prince has fallen to Earth from another planet, and has been exploring on his own. He has met a great deal of characters and learned valuable lessons on life and living. A great fox he meets instructs him that, "One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye." Life on the prince's planet is very Zen and minimalist, and he has a hard time coming to terms with how plentiful Earth is, and how ungrateful and unhappy most of its inhabitants are. A classic tale of perspective, hope and kindness. How have I never read this before? Beautiful illustrations.

"Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty" by G. Neri

In 1994, Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, received national attention when he made the cover of TIME magazine. Nicknamed Yummy for his love of candy and sweets, he was just 11 years old when he shot and killed a 14-year-old girl. He became a poster child for youth gang violence and drew attention to this heartbreaking problem in his Chicago neighborhood.

This graphic novel illustrates Yummy’s involvement with the Black Disciplines gang, and how he may have joined forces with these criminals in order to escape his sordid home life and absent parents. Told through the narrator’s Robert’s eyes, he explores what may have drawn Yummy into this violent life, and what (if anything) could have been done to avoid such tragedy. This is an excellent, quick read for middle school and higher.

"In Darkness" by Nick Lake

Nick Lake has written a shockingly dark novel about Haiti, sharing two perspectives on the country's troubled history. Our first narrator is "Shorty," a fourteen-year-old gang member who is caught in the rubble of the Haiti earthquake. The hospital collapses on him while he is being treated for a gunshot wound. The next narrator is Toussiant l'Overture, the historical figure who led the Haitian Revolution against French colonization in the 18th century. Through some mystical voodoo vortex, the two men are able to channel each other in times of crisis, each catching a glimpse of a Haiti they do not know. Shorty has spent his life in the slums. He watched his father get murdered, his sister vanished without a trace, and his mother consistently struggles to survive. Toussaint was a slave in Haiti, yet rebelled against the institution, and his success in Haiti was instrumental in expanding anti-slavery movements throughout the free world.

Be aware that the graphic nature of the conflicts and the high use of profanity may make it more suitable for older teens.

"How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston

I had both braces and glasses in middle school, so was totally drawn into the title. Not that I rocked them, by any means. :-)

Kacey Simon says what's on her mind, even if people don't want to hear it. Her harsh critiques have made her a social butterfly at Marquette Middle School. Her popularity soars with her outrageous newscaster skills, and she's always surrounded by friends. But when she gets an eye infection, her contacts are taken away and replaced with new glasses. To make matters worse, her mom surprises her with a trip to the orthodontist, who puts on new braces. Getting used to metal in her mouth, Kacey struggles to overcome a new lisp. She realizes how her honesty towards others may have hurt some feelings. Her friends don't seem supportive to her situation, so Kacey starts hanging out with a new crowd, and even finds her voice as the singer for a new band. This is a hilarious look at overcoming puberty's challenges and making the best of a bad situation.

"Broken Memory" by Elisabeth Combres

Emma and her mother are part of the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda. They lead a peaceful life, until one day their village is invaded by soldiers. Emma hides behind a couch, and hears her mother get brutally murdered by Hutu soldiers. Orphaned, she flees from home, and finds refuge in an old woman's home. She calls the woman Mukecuru, and they develop a silent, trusting relationship, where Emma slowly feels safer. But her nightmares do not end, and her memories of the horrific genocide plague her for years. Emma is able to develop a friendship with another victim of the violence, and she slowly starts to remember and begin the healing process. This is a very concise (short) book that conveys the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, in an easy-to-digest and accessible format for younger audiences. Recommended for 5-12th grades

"No Passengers Beyond This Point" by Gennifer Choldenko

Life is turned upside down when three siblings are forced to move. Their house has gone into foreclosure, and the bank is taking the house away. India, Finn and Switzerland, a.k.a. Mouse, are all named after countries their mom wanted to travel to. But times are harder now, there's no money to travel, and she is forced to send them to live with Uncle Red. Life is so unfair.

Uncle Red lives in Colorado, and India is put in charge of Finn and Mouse on the plane ride. All is going well, until the plane hits some serious turbulence. When they land, a car is waiting for them, and takes them to a strange city called Falling Bird. But there is no sign of Uncle Red anywhere. Everything in Falling Bird seems to be a little too perfect. They have whatever they desire, and people are so excited they are there. Certain things seem out of place, and they soon realize there are many questions left to be answered. Getting home, or even leaving Falling Bird, may not be as easy as they think.

"Chime" by Franny Billingsley

“This isn’t a proper story, and I’m telling you, I ought to be hanged.” Briony is convinced she is a witch, and that her actions have cast evil upon her family. Her step-mother died and her twin sister is horribly ill, and Briony feels guilty for both. Years ago, Briony started a fire that destroyed the library in her family’s home, and everything she does seems to cast more hardship upon the ones she loves. Unfortunately, she can’t tell anyone she’s a witch, or else the local townspeople will hang her without mercy. Briony looks for solutions to her problems from the Old Ones, supernatural beings that haunt her local swamp. And when handsome Eldric comes to live in her village of Swampsea, Briony’s emotions overwhelm her and she’s forced to come to terms with her true identity.

"Paper Covers Rock" by Jenny Hubbard

Thomas, Glenn and Alex went to the river to relax, and escape some of the stress of their elite boarding school. Someone had a bottle of vodka, and all of them were drinking more than they should Someone bet Thomas to jump off the big rock. Glenn and Alex jumped, but when Thomas did, he didn't have enough clearance. What was supposed to be an afternoon of leisure, turned into one of horror, as Glenn and Alex realize their implication in their friend's untimely death. And they make a pact to not mention alcohol to school officials, in order to cover their tracks. But Alex is not dealing with his grief well. He starts a secret diary, which he keeps hidden in the school library. And his English teacher, Miss Dovecott, suspects he may not be sharing all he knows about the accident. Glenn and Alex devise a plot to get Miss Dovecott fired, and out of their business.

"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin

Imagine not being able to buy chocolate or coffee! It's the year 2083 and the government has outlawed both. But Anya is able to get as much chocolate as she wants, since her family is involved in selling it on the black market. But when her ex-boyfriend is hospitalized by a bad batch of chocolate, Anya is wrongly charged with trying to poison him. When all of your relatives are criminals, people get suspicious! There is a new boy at school, Win, and Anya finds herself falling for him. The only (big) problem is that he's the District Attorney's son. And he doesn't want him family involved in anything criminal. This is the first installment in a new series called "Birthright."

"The Summer I Learned to Fly" by Dana Reinhardt

Drew is 13 years old, and kind of a loner. Her dad died from a heart problem when she was younger, so she's always lived with her mom. They get along pretty well, and Drew helps out in her mom's gourmet cheese shop after school and on weekends. There's this guy Nick who works at the cheese shop, and Drew has a mad crush on him and his ability to make beautiful pasta. But Nick's older and not interested in middle school girls. Drew always puts the extra cheeses and breads in the alley behind the store, and it always magically disappears by morning. One night she meets a boy, Emmett, and she quickly develops another crush. The writing in this book is beautiful and it's an honest, coming-of-age story of a young girl finding her place in the world.

"Ivy" by Sarah Oleksyk

Ivy is so ready to be done with high school. She longs for escape and hopes to get accepted into an art school, far away from her small town in Maine. She's been raised by her single mom, and lately it seems everyone is against her. Her friends don't want to hang out as much, her teachers are giving her detention, and her nemesis in art class is driving her insane. But when Ivy meets a cute guy at an art school convention, things look like they're picking up, until they fall apart again. Quirky and sincere coming-of-age graphic novel. Mature subject matter, so probably best for older teens.

"It Gets Better: coming out, overcoming bullying, and creating a life worth living" by Dan Savage

This book was published in conjunction with the "It Gets Better Project," this collection of essays gives hope to those who have struggled with bullying, intimidation, and loneliness in high school. Dan Savage was inspired to ignite the "It Gets Better" YouTube campaign, after a number of high school students commited suicide after enduring relentless taunting and bullying. A number of these students were LBGT and felt isolated in their homophobic and judgemental communities. Savage encouraged adult survivors of bullying to submit videos encouraging young people not to commit suicide, with the premise that "it gets better." Included are essays by our President Barack Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, Hilary Clinton, Suze Orman, and Al Franken. Other testimonials include an assortment of LBGT adults ranging from actors, dancers, military veterans, doctors, activists and parents. They all survived high school, and have created happy, fulfilling lives with strong support systems. While the book isn't as emotionally charged as the videos, it is an excellent resource for any struggling LBGT youth or family member.

"Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick

Even better than Hugo Cabret! Masterpiece work of art and story perfect for all generations. Two stories are told, one in print, the other in gorgeous black and white drawings. Ben lives with his aunt and uncle after his mom dies. They live on Gunflint Lake in Minnesota in 1977. Rose is obsessed with a famous actress. She lives with her dad in a beautiful mansion in Hoboken, New Jersey, overlooking the city skyline of New York City. Rose is living in 1927. Ben is determined to find the father he has never known. Rose is determined to find the actress who influences her life in powerful ways. Both Rose and Ben run away to New York City to look for missing clues, each trying to piece together their own puzzles. Selznick seamlessly intertwines their stories with compassion, curiosity and a sense of true wonder. I loved "The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" when I was young. This book almost made me cry with its references to this classic tale about running away, hiding out in your favorite museum, and trying to make sense of it all.

"How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum" by Keri Smith

How to explore your world, without really having to go anywhere. This book encourages you to pay attention to the ordinary, the overlooked and the everday. Look in corners, around your house, and up to the sky. Notice patterns, similarities, differences and how things work together. Smith offers prompts for cataloging and contemplating our world, our place in it, and how our perception is constantly evolving and shifting. Excellent exercises for budding artists and/or creative types. Good scavenger type hunts for younger, and good meditative, mindful exercises for older. Fun, quirky read for everyone.

"As I Wake" by Elizabeth Scott

Ava wakes up in a hospital. Her doctors tell her she's ready to go home, and her mom is there to escort her, but she can't remember anything. Ava has a severe case of amnesia, with no memory of her life before the hospital. Her mom seems like a nice enough woman, and her friends at school keep her entertained, but Ava knows something is not quite right. And then she starts having flashbacks. Ava can remember working for the government, as a special type of spy. She had to keep watch over certain people, reporting back on their activities. But when these memories resurface, Ava blacks out. Someone doesn't want her to remember. And Ava doesn't know who to trust. Should she accept the life people tell her she's lead, or dig deeper into her head, to try to remember what really happened?

"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?