Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say

I Am More Than My Hair: A Young Girl's Journey with Alopecia

The Year of the Book: Anna Wang

While I Was Away

Ways to Grow Love: Ryan Hart

The Best Man

The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez

Uniquely told through letters from death row and third-person narrative, Bryan Bliss’s hard-hitting third novel expertly unravels the string of events that landed a teenager in jail. Luke feels like he’s been looking after Toby his entire life. He patches Toby up when Toby’s father, a drunk and a petty criminal, beats on him, he gives him a place to stay, and he diffuses the situation at school when wise-cracking Toby inevitably gets into fights. Someday, Luke and Toby will leave this small town, riding the tails of Luke’s wrestling scholarship, and never look back.

But during their senior year, they begin to drift apart. Luke is dealing with his unreliable mother and her new boyfriend. And Toby unwittingly begins to get drawn into his father’s world, and falls for an older woman. All their long-held dreams seem to be unraveling. Tense and emotional, this heartbreaking novel explores family, abuse, sex, love, friendship, and the lengths a person will go to protect the people they love. For fans of NPR’s Serial podcast, Jason Reynolds, and Matt de la Peña.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Jennifer L. Holm, Elicia Castaldi, 2006

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say

Angela Dominguez, 2018

I Am More Than My Hair: A Young Girl's Journey with Alopecia

Atira Alexander, 2023

The Year of the Book: Anna Wang

Abigail Halpin, Andrea Cheng, 2012

While I Was Away

Waka T. Brown, 2021

Ways to Grow Love: Ryan Hart

Renée Watson, Niña Mata, 2021

The Best Man

Richard Peck, 2016

The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez

Peter Johnson, 2014