What would you do if protecting the people you love meant learning to fight? In Hands, Torrey Maldonado tells the story of a talented young artist who takes up boxing to keep his family safe while struggling to stay true to himself.
Tired of harmful Hollywood clichés about Dissociative Identity Disorder? Stephanie Kenific reviews Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin, a masterfully written, empathetic YA thriller. Follow eighteen-year-old Dylan as she navigates a life-changing diagnosis and uncovers a buried past. Fast-paced and deeply sensitive, this compelling page-turner reframes trauma survival with profound dignity, making it an essential, high-value addition for high school libraries and mature young adult readers.
Justice from the shadows vs. truth in the light. While high school sophomore Mafi dishes out anonymous, vigilante justice for bullied classmates as “The Ghost,” her family’s real-world crisis in Afghanistan forces her into a high-stakes public spotlight—prompting a complex look at international media activism and the danger of single-narrative history.
This heartfelt YA romance follows a teen balancing family expectations, heartbreak, and the pressure to reinvent herself. It is an engaging and stylish story that invites readers to reflect on identity, independence, and choosing what feels right.