I would recommend this novel to anyone from the high school ages
586248
Vanessa Kirby's style of writing is as addicting as Ashley's drug of choice. Heroin Heartbreak is a fabulous book from cover to cover! Discussing an issue relevant to today, Vanessa opens your eyes, and shows you what is really happening in our world. I would recommend this novel to anyone from the high school ages, and up. Parents could also benefit a great deal from reading this book. Well Done Vanessa !
4220719
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. The characters were so real, and despite it being centered around high schoolers, it was very relatable and really hit me right in the heart. Amazing.
553512
This novel had me hooked from the beginning. Tessa Hadley's Clever Girl reminded me of a Victorian novel, where the novelist traces the life of a character from his/her beginnings into their adult lives. The book is a coming-of-age story about Stella, a girl who was led to believe that her father was dead. She  It is a coming of age story about Stella. The novel chronicles the abuse that her family members (like an aunt Andy/Andrea) endured. Her mother's challenges to raise her as a single mother before she remarried, and other struggles. Stella learns she is intelligent, and could go to a university, but an unplanned pregnancy ends those dreams.

The prose is sparse, but beautifully done. I look forward to reading more of Hadley's books.
2053987
Goldengrove is a "can't put down" sort of book. From the beginning up to the very last page the story is engaging and keeps you guessing. The novel is especially good for adolescents/young adults because it deals with much that they will be presented with in their years.
The novel explores sexuality, loss, grieving, family, friends, and understanding one's self. Through reading you grow to feel Nico's, the protagonist's, pain and go through her experiences like they are your own. Nico is trying to cope with the loss of her older sister and idol, Margaret, when she changes from this "awkward, nerdy teen" to a young lady that has to change her way of life to help keep her family together, as well as keep from falling apart herself.
When Margret dies, Nico becomes introverted and loses touch with all her friends, as well as the entire world around her. Life for her family changes because, she feels, it was Margret who was like the glue that held them together. Her mother falls into a deep depression that draws her into drug abuse, and her father is drawn into researching and writing his novel about the afterlife. Nico, left to fill some big shoes, has to self explore to figure out her place in this weird world for a 13 year old.
Goldengrove's story line is so strikingly real, that it is scary. Does Nico imagine her sister's presence around or can she really feel her spirit lingering around? Aaron, Margret's depressed boyfriend, is questionable the whole time; does he do what he does with Nico because he likes her or because he has no other choice to keep the image of Margret around. Nico has no choice but to hangout with him because he is the only person who understands her, or so she feels. No one can blame Nico for the emotions she has because she is left alone [emotionally]. But in the end the truth prevails and helps this poor family.
 The story has a magic touch to it, begging the question of what happens when one dies to be asked. Francine Prose choice of images and wording is powerful. Death is a topic that is hard to discuss, especially in a classroom, but reading this book, students will be able to identify with Nico and her family. It is amazing to see how this 13 year old girl left alone is able to find who she is in so much chaos.
There are many themes throughout the novel that students in high school or middle school can relate to, and will understand. One especially being: there are some things that we all experience that we may think we'll never get over, but as this novel proves, life goes on for those still living. Everything, like in life, works itself out in the end. "The ends justify the means."
4644966
I just finished what could be one of my favorite high school love stories ever!  The Ugly Stepsister was such a great read. The characters were well developed and had depth (considering they were high-schoolers). The story had everything you would expect from the in-crowd to the jealous girls to the super cute jocks all the girls want. There were nice twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it, but am so happy that I did.  I would gladly have paid for it and will definitely be purchasing the sequel.
399815
Ned Vizzini manages to capture the rises and falls of adolescents perfectly, magnifying them by focusing in on a teen with depression. The protagonist Craig presents real issues and discoveries that are magical to live in. With an interesting plot line, and relatable characters, It's Kind of a Funny Story inhabits all of the elements of a fantastic novel.
1600072
Before I Let Go was an enjoyable read that kept me at the edge of my seat, unable to put my book down during the final chapters. I would recommend this novel for older students, the recommended age is 14 and up; which I can agree with. The story takes place in Lost Creek, Alaska; a very small town known for being a place for adventures for whom the world didn't have a place for anymore. Lost men who didn't belong anywhere else. Corey is the main character whom has just began college, leaving behind her best friend that has a mental illness in their hometown. Her mental disorder affects the way the townspeople accept her because of they are suck in their set ways. It is a story about the difficult topic of losing your best friend of many years and going back to your hometown in hopes of discovering what could have possibly happened to her. During her time back in her hometown, Corey has many unanswered questions in discovering the truth about her best friends death and the townspeople become more and more unaccepting of her by the day, including her best friends parents who used to be like a second family to her. This story will surprise you in a variety of ways as Corey gets closer and closer to discovering the truth of what really happened to her best friend, Kyra, and once she discovers it, she must fight for her life to not end up with the same destiny as her best friend.

Citation: Nijkamp, M. (2018). Before I Let Go. S.L.: Sourcebooks Media Fusion.
201923
This is a must read novel!  And should be on the national junior-high / high school reading list.
945647
Would you like to know how some teenagers deal with high school? If the answer is yes then this is the book to read. It gives you a good idea of what goes on in a typical high school. I am a high school senior and I was able to relate to some of the issues the characters dealt with. There were also parts of the book that were unusual and would not necessarily relate to all the students in high school. The main character was a high school freshman named Charlie. He befriends two seniors named Patrick and Samantha and all his high school adventures begin! They take him to parties where he deals with issues of drugs and sexuality.  Charlie is learning how to deal with friendships and relationships.  The book was written in a unique way.  Charlie was writing to an unknown recipient who he refers to as "friend".  This was very clever and it helped to reader to understand how the character truly felt and exactly what he was thinking.  I felt like I knew the main character by the end of the book because you learn so much about his emotions.  He is very intelligent and sometimes faced depression when he thought about his aunt and his best friend, whom had passed away.  His family also plays an important role in how he deals with the issues in his life.  Charlie has two older siblings and his sister is rather distant.  When his sister fears she is pregnant Charlie helps her to deal with her fears.  This brings them very close together and in the end helps him through a depression he faces when he realizes the kind of relationship he had with his aunt.  I would recommend this book to teens in high school because it makes you feel like your not the only one facing the hardships of growing up!
606828
I've just finished Feeling Sorry for Celia not long ago, and I have to say that this is one of the best and unique teen novels I've ever read. The author, Jaclyn Moriarty, has done an excellent job, she tells the story mostly in letters, postcards, and memos, which I thought would be boring at first. But as I keep on reading, this book is totally different than what I imagine, I actually liked it. The letters in this novel were like a way the characters communicate to each other. In this novel, Elizabeth Clarry is a bit stubborn and unique teenager who refuses to do her homework that was assigned, but she's is clever in terms of life. Her mom understands her, but she's never around at home quite a lot so they talk by letters on the refrigerator every single day. Through an English class she then meets a stranger pen pal, Christina, who Elizabeth talks with about everything ( friends, family, boys, etc.).Elizabeth even talks about her unpredictable and crazy best friend, Celia, who always runs away from home and loves to be disappeared. Christina then is there for Elizabeth to listen and help her solve Celia's mental problem. As time passes by, Celia and Elizabeth seem to be apart and not as close anymore, but Christina and Elizabeth are becoming real best friends instead. Throughout the book, there are letters from different fake organizations like one which is " The Association of Teenagers", who seems to accuse Elizabeth that she's an incredibly bad at being a teenager and so on. These letters shows how the author has a unique style from the others, and the characters in this book are so full of life and I can just feel that. It includes lots of cliff hangers which made me not wanting to put the novel down and keep reading on and on. The book makes me believe that this story is true and it's fun to read. I was laughing towards the end and was happy for Elizabeth, too. It is a great book for someone who doesn't like reading heavy and thick book, including me, and wanting to read something lighter and has a lot of humor in it. I then would want to recommend this quick reading teen novel to anybody who likes reading book about teenagers and learn more about how they deal with their exploring life.
4345835
From the novels first page about Lauren Yanofskys first day at grade eleven in a public school, this gripping tale is a page turner of enthralling events, vivid character portrayals and teenage growing pains, a book that captivates young adults, as well as the not-so-young adults. Through its interesting and unusual plot, the novel smartly depicts the emotional struggles of Lauren who has regarded her Jewish upbringing and the all too frequent recounts of the Holocaust as excessive and unwarranted, until a war game among her school peers, including dream guy Jesse, strikes her as offensive and insensitive, and  awakens in her a renewed sense of belonging towards her heritage, and a deepened feeling for humanity. Lauren Yanofsky Hates The Holocast makes a great and very satisfying coming-of-age read all around. Highly recommended.
1903511
I'm always intrigued when it comes to high school novels and romance and NEVER ALWAYS SOMETIMES was one that I had my eyes on when I first discovered it was going to be published! With realistic characters you will root for and a storyline where you'll wonder which girl should he end up with, NEVER ALWAYS SOMETIMES keeps the pace up for a great read. A list of NEVERS turns into kind of a dare for best friends Julia and Dave as senior year draws near and the changes that occur as they cross off the items on their list will either bring them closer or tear them apart. A satisfying teen read!
2422617
Everyone has memories of their high school years, but very few have experienced growing up in a wheelchair. The novel Patrick gives insights into this world, and the main character travels to NYC for an extended hospital stay and meets a group of new friends who, like him, are there for treatment or observation.

What's most surprising: In many ways, being a teen in a wheelchair is not that different than being a teen who can walk. There are tensions with parents, support from friends, questions about love, life and sex, and experiences that youths anywhere would recognize. But there are twists, and a definite sense of struggle, as well. Patrick comes out a much-changed person at the end.

Where this story sings is the dialogue and some of the scenes in and around the hospital. I don't want to give too much away, but some of these encounters really stick with you, such as the time when the buddies sneak out into the Village. The characters are also real, and the whole story takes place against a cultural backdrop of 80s music and a non-connected lifestyle that had me thinking back to my own teen years. I was thinking as I read this book that it could easily be a movie or a play.

It's a great work. Can't wait to read the sequel.
1023379
This is one of the best YA novels, or novels, period, that I've ever read. Sara Zarr does a masterful job of alternating viewpoints of two scared teenagers, Mandy, because she's pregnant and embarking on a new life, and Jill, because her father has died ten months ago and she's still very unmoored from losing him. When Jill's mother, Robin, decides that she should adopt a baby and finds Mandy online, their lives collide, and this book, told in alternating chapters, lets us in on their present lives as well as what has come before. Neither dominates the story, but instead these two very different girls, Mandy having grown up in a broken home, mostly a longer, Jill, who has creature comforts and had friends (before she pushed them away) and a boyfriend, as they grudgingly learn about one another. The writing here is gorgeous, and I don't want to say too much more about the plot, other that it unfolds perfectly, with just the right amount of information, some of it shocking, some of it sad, some of it humorous. I cried multiple times and while the ending is wonderful, I'd love to see another book with these characters; I didn't want to let them go. I highly encourage you to read this. It deals with sensitive topics, among them teen pregnancy, not as "issues" per se but as very human stories, and Zarr makes the reader sympathize with most every character we meet, not just Mandy and Jill.
4357657
If ever there was an anthem for the high school teenager today, this is it! Stephen Chbosky has given a stunning insight into the world of a high school student in his masterpiece "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
Being a high school student myself, I was floored at the accuracy of Chbosky's portrayal of a high school environment. Through the magnetic main character, Charlie, he portrays real issues facing high school students like teen-pregnancy, drugs, relationships, homosexuality, depression, suicide, love and acceptance.
The way the novel is written brings you into Charlie's world. It entraps you and won't let you put the book down. The book is written as a series of letters written to you from Charlie. I found myself growing closer and closer to Charlie through every hilarious comment and the most serious and sad of moments. The language used is so genuine and simple, yet you see exactly what he wants you to see. I could truly relate and empathize with what he was going through as almost any other high schooler would. With each heartfelt and honest letter you grow with him and become his friend. To be honest the book was almost torturous because after each letter all I wanted to do was write back to him.
The strange part of the book is that it really has no huge plot. There is no hero, no villain, no murderer...it's just an honest story of someone struggling through life.  You see him fall in love, you see him depressed, you see him have fun, you see him grow, but no one wins or loses. The climax, I believe, is finding Charlie everyday in something.  It's something that happens to you and you wanting to write to Charlie about it.  It's reading the book multiple times (which I have) and finding something new you didn't catch the first time.
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky is an honest, and truly moving novel. I strongly suggest you read it.
3760354
In High School I met some of the most amazing people and some of the most cruel. "Confessions of a Hater" comes real close to what high school is like. This is a great read to tweens and teens. The plot was jammed packed with action and people.
302835
Young adult novels are usually not my thing, but Im a big fan of Connie Lacys fiction (this is my third). Like The Time Telephone and VisionSight, A Daffodil for Angie is exceptionally well written. Its about coming of age in the turbulent, complicated, scary Southern United States of the 1960s. We meet Angie, the novels first-person protagonist, being reminded by her mom about cheerleader tryouts as she embarks on her first day of high school. And yes, the novel has plenty of the requisite teen drama (the romance is compelling and sweetly done), but Angie is also contending with the Vietnam War (her father is serving in the military), the struggle for civil rights (her formerly segregated school is being integrated), and a newly emerging feminism makes her question who she is and what she is capable of.