Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend’s death from anorexia as she struggles with the same disorder.

Liz says:

“Anderson is one of my favorite authors but I have to say that I can only recommend this book to a very limited audience. Wintergirls deals very realistically with the physical and emotional devastation of eating disorders; there is no sugar-coating or easy answers found in this story. If you or someone you know is suffering from anorexia or bulimia, you will want to read this as a cautionary tale.”

While traveling to each corner of the country to build a whirligig in memory of the girl whose death he caused, sixteen-year-old Brian finds forgiveness and atonement.

Liz says:

“This is an unforgettable book that will touch your heart and really make you think about the power of forgiveness and redemption even in the face of great tragedy.”

In 1990, thirteen-year-old John “Spud” Milton, a prepubescent choirboy, keeps a diary of his first year at an elite, boys-only boarding school in South Africa, as he deals with bizarre housemates, wild crushes, and embarrassing parents.

Liz says:

“This hilariously irreverent book offers an uproariously funny look at post-Apartheid South Africa through the eyes of one of the most lovable characters ever created.”

Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family’s struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

When sixteen-year-old Jason Bock and his friends create their own religion to worship the town’s water tower, what started out as a joke begins to take on a power of its own.

Liz says:

“This is a thought-provoking read for teens interested in the role of religion in their lives and others. This is an exceptionally well-written and intelligent book.”

The story of how Vahan Kenderian survived the Turkish massacre of the Armenians in 1915.

Liz says:

“This is a gripping, brutal look at the Armenian Genocide that is not for the feint of heart. Vahan, who is based on the author’s uncle, is an amazing character who endures the deepest levels of deprivation but survives both physically and mentally. Ultimately, this is a story of survival.”

A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda’s freshman year in high school.

Liz says:

“Melinda Sordino is one of the most memorable characters ever. She narrates her story through snapshots/scenes which are divided into the 4 quarters of her 9th grade year. The format and the story are compelling. This is a must read for girls.”

Three teenaged girls from very different backgrounds, thrown together to pick peaches in a Georgia orchard, spend a summer in pursuit of the right boy, the truest of friends, and the perfect peach.

Liz says:

“I’m going on the recommendation of a colleague and teens who’ve read this. It’s on my list to read!” (If you like it, there are 2 more in this series – The Secrets of Peaches: A Novel and Love and Peaches).