Students are heading back to school soon or are already back. I imagine it is with mixed feelings as they try to navigate not only the usual school stuff, but the possibilities of masking, online learning, and some of the other new challenges they have been going through for the past two school years.
Maybe it’s time to escape into some new-to-you books? Here are some of my books which include teens facing challenges at school.
Endless Change– A YA Novel About Secrets and Healing
She was a broken bird.
He was a mender of wings.
Dakota hides dark secrets, and Parker can’t help falling for her despite the warnings. But getting too close could destroy them both.
In a genre dominated by kick-ass heroines in post-apocalyptic dystopian worlds, wizards and magical realism, Ms. Workman is carving out her own niche. Her books show us real kids facing scary real-life problems in the modern world. Her work is both an invitation to empathy and a cautionary tale.
—Talena Winters
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Tattooed Teardrops – YA Crime Fiction About Life After Juvie
Winner of Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016.
Fresh out of juvie, Tamara wants to stay out of trouble—but life seems determined to pull her back in. If she can’t prove her innocence, she’ll lose her freedom all over again.
Readers will appreciate the realistic details about Tamara’s release, her issues dealing with a foster family, her emotional triggers, and the challenges facing someone trying to maintain the conditions of parole. For those teens who love books where all that can go wrong does go wrong (isn’t that almost all of them?), this is a winner.
– School Library Journal
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Chloe – A YA Novel About Abuse and Survival
Chloe had always been the perfect daughter. Diligent, obedient, good at caring for the other children when Mom wasn’t home. She always worked hard and did everything she was asked.
But she couldn’t please her mother and the parade of stepfathers. It seemed like the harder she tried, the worse the abuse got.
Chloe had known for a long time that she was two people. The Chloe who watched and the Chloe who experienced. She had been watching for so long, she wasn’t sure she could feel anything anymore. But if she can’t overcome her past and start living in the real world, she knows she will lose herself forever.
Placed on the In the Margins Committee Recommended Reads, 2018 by Library Services for Youth in Custody.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chloe’s happy ending is hard-won, and a reminder that there are children (and adults) out there who need help, and that we should never look away when there may be signs of abuse or neglect.
Make it a Bundle!
Toxo – YA Suspense With an Autistic Protagonist
Caleb, an autistic teen is mistakenly arrested.
Bad turns to worse when he is then apprehended from his family by DFS.
His mother could never have predicted the chain of events in a million years.
In trying to protect him, DFS has actually put Caleb in harm’s way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”Yet another winner for PD Workman. I’m amazed that this lady isn’t acknowledged more. She writes about very serious subjects and is an advocate for mental health.”
Once again, Gabriel and Renata have teamed up to right injustice and to get Caleb to safety. But Andrew Searle is on the case, and it’s his job to see that they don’t succeed and that Caleb remains in foster care.
Ripped from the headlines, you won’t want to miss this intriguing plot!
Just like every other P.D. Workman book I’ve ever read, the gritty, raw realism of Toxo does an absolutely incredible job of taking my breath away.
Britt, Goodreads reviewer
Making Her Mark – YA Drama About Family Secrets
Secrets and lies change everything for Kelli.
Strong and independent, Kelli’s life turns upside down when she discovers the truth her mother has hidden for years. Will it lead to happiness, or heartbreak?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
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Questing for a Dream – Indigenous YA Novel About Identity
A powerful and emotional story of a Native teen’s search for meaning.
Nadie Laplante faces poverty, prejudice, and loss, but she refuses to give up. When tragedy strikes, she embarks on a journey to find her place in the world.
“P.D. Workman’s skilled narrative of Nadie and her poignant journey to wholeness is a thoughtful expose of shattered dreams and tragic youth sure to resonate with every reader.”
“An inspiring book which can encourage the reader to face the challenges in life’s journey and to accept the lessons that come as a result.”
Don’t Forget Steven – A YA Mystery About Survival and Injustice
When life is already hard, how much more can one teen take?
Steven doesn’t have much—no parents, no stable home, barely enough to eat. But when he’s accused of murder, his world unravels even more.
The worst part? He isn’t even sure he didn’t do it.
“Super good book. So full of emotion and so interesting to read about the main character and what he is going through. Beautiful written and a good message.
I just re-read this book and it was still just as good as the first time. I am in love and heartbroken for Steven.“
—Ahsoka, Goodreads reader
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Those Who Believe – YA Suspense About Faith and Family
Nathan’s life is ruled by his mother’s faith—and her secrets.
On the run from Social Services, Nathan must choose between loyalty to his mother and the chance to survive. His faith, and his life, may depend on the choice he makes.
“Another look at life through the eyes of mental & physical illness—a boy with all the odds stacked against him“
“I chose this book because it talked about a young boy trying to please his mother and yet afraid his faith wasn’t strong. All the test and trials he went through showed how strong he really was.“
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Stand Alone
Is Justine crazy? Everyone thinks so.
Her mother, her classmates, even the police. But Justine knows there’s more to her past than anyone is telling her. With her life spinning out of control, she’s determined to uncover the truth, no matter how painful.
The portrayal of Justine felt very true to me. I had a troubled childhood and youth myself and I really identified with Justine’s feelings, words, and actions. Some of the things Justine said and did were things I said and did when I was her age. The characters felt very three-dimensional and real. The story pulled me in and I just had to know how it ended! I swayed back and forth in my opinions about all the characters and was very satisfied with how everything played out in the end.
—Sparrow, Amazon reader
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FAQs About Back-to-School YA Books
What makes these YA books good for back-to-school reading?
These novels feature teens navigating school, family, and personal challenges—making them relatable to students adjusting to new academic and social pressures.
Are these YA books suitable for classroom discussions?
Yes. With themes like resilience, social justice, and identity, they spark meaningful conversations on real-life issues facing today’s youth.
Do the books have diverse characters?
Yes. P.D. Workman includes characters from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous and neurodiverse protagonists.
