The kids are going back to school and we all need something to read! Whether you are looking to fill all of that free time you have now that they are out from underfoot (ha ha!) or to escape the extra stress, you need something on your ereader or bedside table.
I have pulled together a stack of books about teens. They don’t focus on school experiences, but they do mention school, so I figure they are seasonally appropriate.
Add the bundle to your cart now or scroll down to read more about the individual books.
Don’t Forget Steven
Things never have been easy for Steven. He accepts that, and just makes the best of things. He might not have parents or a happy home. Or enough to eat most days. But at least he has a couple of loyal friends who stand by him and help out when they can. At least he has school, someplace he can go to escape the abuse.
But just when he thought things couldn’t get much worse, they did.
Steven is accused of murder. But that isn’t the worst part. The really bad part is not even knowing if he did 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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Stand Alone
Is Justine crazy?
Everyone thinks so…
Her mother. The kids at school, and the teachers and administrators too. Even the police who pick her up from her night rambles. Maybe them most of all.
Justine’s therapist says she is ‘troubled’, but it means the same thing. He thinks that her vivid, reoccurring nightmares and atrocious behavior point to some trauma in her past; but Em, Justine’s mother, can’t explain it.
Justine used to have Christian, her best friend and skateboard partner. He was the only one who accepted her. Maybe because skating is the only time that Justine is really free to be herself. Now that Christian is gone… Justine keeps thinking things can’t get any worse.
Even as she sees her life spinning further and further out of control, Justine can’t give up her sense of who she is—someone far different than the loving daughter Em expects her to be—to just fit in and be happy. She is sure that Em secretly holds the key to who Justine really is. But if she does, Em isn’t talking.
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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Cynthia Has a Secret
One day, fifteen-year-old Carmina Knight’s life was perfect, and the next, she’d lost everything. Her family, her home, almost everything that she knew. Alone on the streets, she can’t trust anyone, but she also can’t make it alone.
Neil Crowther is the investigator on the Knight case. He knows that he has to unravel the web of deceit and track Carmina down quickly, or there will be no one left to save.
It takes a while to learn Cynthia’s secret. The author keeps us in suspense, which keeps us riveted to the story. I would recommend this book to boys and girls from upper grade school to high school.
—Victoria, Goodreads Reader
This is a great story of a young girl’s struggle to survive
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Those Who Believe
On the run from Social Services and others who do not understand their beliefs, Nathan and his mom, faith-healer Billie Ashbury move into yet another a new town.
Nathan again faces the challenges of making new friends and of keeping his family’s secrets. But what he really struggles with is his wavering faith and reconciling his actions with what his devoted mother has taught him from the cradle. Could disobeying her ever be right?
His very life could depend on the answer.
“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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Questing for a Dream
Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author P.D. Workman’s compelling and poignant account of Native teen Nadie Laplante’s quest for meaning and purpose. This thought-provoking and eye-opening story of poverty, prejudice and addiction will inspire readers of all ages and remind them that they are not alone.
Nadie is a bright, caring teen growing up Manitoba Cree growing up in abject poverty. She tries to balance school attendance, caring for her younger cousin Luyu, and spending time with handsome, impish Mouse, her best friend and confidante. Together, they strive to find the path to happiness on the reservation.
But tragedy strikes and Nadie’s is devastated by Luyu’s accidental death. Unable to find comfort in Mouse’s arms or Grandfather’s traditional mourning rites, Nadie leaves the band and strikes off on her own, searching for meaning and a new life in the outside world.
Can Nadie find happiness and a place of her own in a foreign world where she is abused and discriminated against? Completely alone for the first time in her life, it is a challenge such as Nadie has never before faced.
“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.”
By the author of the award-winning Ruby, Between the Cracks, this engaging and unforgettable story of Nadie’s journey to find a place in the world amidst heartache and hopelessness will inspire you to face your challenges with courage and become a happier and stronger person.
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Easily one of the most thought-provoking and compelling reads of the year, Ms. Workman has written a masterful contemporary account of one native teen’s journey from home and the possibilities for hope even for those drowning in poverty, prejudice, and addiction … A must-read tale for any book lover!
Sarah E. Bradley, InD’tale Magazine
Making Her Mark
Secrets and lies.
When everything changed, Kelli thought she would be happy. But nothing really changed.
Kelli’s life has never been easy. She’s always faced her problems head on. She’s strong and savvy and in charge of herself. All of that is about to change.
Her life is turned upside down when she discovers the secret that her mother has been hiding from her for years.
Kelli thinks this is her one chance at happiness. But is it?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
By the author of Tattooed Teardrops, winner of the Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016, Kelli’s journey of discovery about herself and her family will keep you turning the pages.
If you enjoy gritty contemporary young adult books like those by John Green and Stephen Chbosky, give P.D. Workman’s Making Her Mark a try.
I cheered for Kellie, hoping she would find the love and validation she always lacked and would finally find peace within herself. If you’ve never tried PD Workman’s novels, then I recommend you do. If you’re already a fan, you won’t be disappointed with this story.
—Victoria, Goodreads reader
Endless Change
She was a broken bird
He was a mender of wings
Parker’s mother always said he jumped into things without thinking first, and that’s exactly what he did when he saw Dakota, cold and hungry, fending for herself on the city streets. How could he ignore the pain and fear in her dark eyes? Dakota was eager to go to school and she made friends quickly, eager to make up for a dismal childhood full of deprivation and abuse by enjoying every moment she could.
But there was something wrong with Dakota. It wasn’t just the hollowness in her eyes or her traumatic past. Others sensed it too and warned Parker not to get too close to Dakota. But despite his questions, he just can’t help falling for her.
Dakota holds her secrets close, and Parker is worried that if he pushes too hard for answers, she’ll just run away.
Placed on the In the Margins Committee Recommended Reads, 2018 by Library Services for Youth in Custody.
By the author of Tattooed Teardrops, winner of the Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016.
If you enjoy gritty contemporary young adult books like those by John Green and Stephen Chbosky, give P.D. Workman’s Endless Change a try.
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
Ruby, Between the Cracks
Winner of “In The Margins” Top Ten Best Books for Teens Award 2015, awarded to relevant books for our communities that validate, illuminate and humanize those living in the margins.
If you asked Ruby, she’d tell you she’s happy with her life. She’s tough and independent and doesn’t depend on anyone else. The road that has led her here has not been easy, and she’s blocked a lot of it from her memory.
But things aren’t as rosy as she would have everyone believe, and the road ahead of her is filled not only with gangs, drugs, and depression, but other challenges that Ruby hasn’t even imagined.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️If I could rate a book 10 stars outta 5, I would… This book was absolutely amazing and I would go through everything I loved about it if I could, but that’s the thing—I loved EVERYTHING. Every single last detail… Definitely one of the best books I have EVER read. —Britt, Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I sure would love to see this book as a movie. Her stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find your self crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author. —Pamela, Goodreads reviewer
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Tattooed Teardrops
Winner of Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016.
I don’t plan on getting in any trouble.
Tamara had thought that when she got out of juvie, things would be easier. But before long, it seems like her life is spiraling into chaos.
If she can’t prove to her probation officer that she is innocent of the allegations against her, she’s going back to prison, and Tamara just can’t let that happen.
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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Henry, Breaking the Pattern
Previously published as Deviation
From USA Today Bestselling Author, P.D. Workman!
“You’re a good kid, Henry.”
Everyone knew that he was a good guy; geeky, responsible, hard-working. Henry has had a lot to deal with in the past. Now, as he should be focusing on his schooling and preparing himself for the future, he is hindered by abuse, the challenge of raising his baby brother while dealing with his mother’s deep depressions, and the return of a ghost from the past Henry has tried his best to forget.
But it seems that Henry can’t avoid the nastiness of life. As hard as he tries, it’s one more disaster after another as his life spirals out of control.
Can Henry escape the darkness, or is he doomed to be consumed by it?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A heartwarming, sad, intense story that will keep you turning pages until the end… P.D. Workman has a wonderful gift
If you enjoy gritty contemporary young adult books like those by John Green and Stephen Chbosky, give P.D. Workman’s Breaking the Pattern series a try.
By the author of Tattooed Teardrops, winner of the Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016, this poignant account of Henry’s descent into darkness will touch your heart and challenge you to look at youth crime in another light.
Start your journey today!
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