County Teens

You might have read McCormick’s book”CUT” that was quite popular a couple of years ago. Her new book, SOLD, is a terrific and difficult book that I know I’ll be suggesting.

Lakshimi is thirteen and lives in Nepal. Her family is poor – but happy. Her mother is kind, and although her stepfather is selfish and gambles the money, they say ‘any man is better than no man’ – until money gets very tight and her stepfather arranges for her to become a “maid” in the city.

Knowing nothing about the world outside her village, Lakshmi is excited at the idea of helping her family and hopes to send back enough money to patch the family’s roof -so for once they won’t have to watch the rain pour in during the monsoons.

She discovers, however, that her stepfather hasn’t arranged for her to be a maid- but instead she’s been sold into prostitution.

This is a emotional, difficult read but worth it.

This book is written in a free verse style – if you liked Burned or Glass by Hopkins you might like this one.

Love, Ghosts and Facial Hair Steven Herrick

Sixteen-year-old Jack thinks about regular teenage stuff while trying to cope with his mother’s death from cancer.

A Place Like This Steven Herrick

A sequel to Love, Ghosts and Facial Hair Jack, now eighteen, moves to an apple orchard with his girlfriend and attempts to figure out which direction his life is meant to go next.

The Simple Gift: A Novel Steven Herrick

When sixteen-year old Billy hops on a freight train to escape an abusive home life, he becomes friends with Caitlin, a wealthy girl and Old Bill, homeless drunk. Through these friendships he finds just how much a simple gift can offer.

 

Burned Ellen Hopkins

Seventeen-year-old Pattyn, the eldest daughter in a large Mormon family, temporarily escapes her alcoholic, abusive father when she is sent to her aunt’s Nevada ranch for the summer.

Crank Ellen Hopkins

Kristina’s life becomes a downward spiral when she becomes addicted to crystal meth or crank.

Impulse Ellen Hopkins

Three teens meet and connect at Aspen Spring’s Mental Hospital after each has attempted to commit suicide.
The Brimstone Journals Ronald Koertge

Students at a high school nicknamed Brimstone reveal the violence existing and growing in their lives.

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies Ruby moves to Los Angeles to live with her estranged movie-star father.

What My Mother Doesn’t Know Sonya Sones

Fourteen-year-old Sophie tries to figure out the difference between love and lust in her world of school and boys.