Young Adult

if i stay by Gayle Forman

the impossible knife of memory
by Laurie Halse Anderson

For the past five years, Hayley Kincain has been traveling on the road with her truck driver dad.  Her father, Andy, is a veteran who is tormented by the memories of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, they are now back in the town where Andy grew up. For the first time, Hayley is able to have a normal life.  However, Hayley doesn't trust anyone and feels as if she doesn't have anyone to share her secret.  Her friend Gracie is struggling with her parent's messy divorce and her friend Finn's sister is an addict and has put the family at financial risk. The impossible knife of memory is compelling, heart-wrenching, and hopeful! 










Schlup Scoop - Laurie Halse Anderson exposes struggles that teenagers face everyday while trying to find balance.  She speaks the truth and provides a segway to difficult conversations teenagers should be having about real issues. The book is dark while remaining forthright.  

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Simon Glass is a nerd that everyone picks on.  However, Rob has a plan for Simon - to turn him from nerd to would-be prom king. Rob and his crew help Simon rise to the top of the social ladder.  Consequently, Simon begins to display a new confidence and a devious side that Rob had not anticipated. When Simon discovers a secret, the events that follow are bone chilling and merciless!  

"The pacing is superb and the story's twists are unexpected and disquieting." -- Booklist

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino accidentally busts an end-of-summer party.   Melinda is ostracized by her peers and will not say why she called the police.  Traumatized and unable to verbalize what happened, Melinda stops speaking. She expresses her voice only through the art she produces. Slowly, Melinda acknowledges what happened and faces her problems.  

Schlup Scoop - Speak is written in diary form.  Speak is a problem novel and deals with a very powerful topic - rape.

Panic by Sharon Draper

We know not to get into a car with a stranger.  But, what if the stranger is good-looking and well-dressed.

Diamond Landers was at the mall with her friend and alone for only a few minutes.  Now, she is being held captive and forced to bear horrors beyond anything she could have ever imagined.  This gripping and realistic novel validates that one bad decision can change everything!