"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.