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).

Fourteen-year-old John creates alternative realities in his mind as he tries to deal with his mother’s abusive boyfriend, his crush on a beautiful, but shallow classmate and other problems at school.

Liz says:

“Right from the start, John catches the reader off guard as he directs his thoughts toward his mother. It’s almost as if this is told from a 4th person narration. This is a gripping story of mental and physical abuse and there are some harrowing scenes. It’s an amazing story with an amazing ending.”

Seventeen-year-old Vince’s life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent.

Liz says:

“This hilariously funny book is a modern day version of Romeo & Juliet without the tough language and the horrific tragedy! You will be laughing from the first scene.” (Sequel – Son of the Mob: Hollywood Hustle)

After being assigned to perform community service at a nursing home, sixteen-year-old Alex befriends a cantankerous old man who has some lessons to impart about jazz guitar playing, love, and forgiveness.

Liz says:

“Sonnenblick’s ability to capture believable voices and to deliver a meaningful story is amazing. There’s some tough stuff in this book but its well worth it.”

Martyn Pig’s life goes from bad to worse when he accidentally kills his father, and he must choose whether to tell the police the truth about what happened and be suspected of murder, or he can get rid of the body and pretend nothing ever happened.

Liz says:

“ “This book is a great example of dark humor. It’s very entertaining and has a real twist. Kevin Brooks is an amazing author!”

Bobby’s carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes a father and must care for his adored baby daughter.

Liz says:

“This is a little gem of a book. It’s a quick read – short & poignant.”

After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.

Liz says:

“This thoughtful and thought provoking novel sheds new light on both slavery in New York and the conflict between Loyalists and Patriots during the American Revolution. Anderson’s story is filled with unforgettable characters and amazing attention to historical detail.”

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel–a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

Liz says:

“This is a must read for high school students and adults. Savvy eighth graders could handle this masterpiece. This compelling, unique look at World War II, narrated by death, is layered with symbolism and harsh reality. Prepare for a life altering experience.”

Stuck working in the lost and found department of the Toronto Transit Authority for the summer, seventeen-year-old Duncan finds the diary of a serial killer and sets out to stop him.

Liz says:

“This is a great, edge of your seat suspense story. Prepare to be scared and to question whether there is justice in the end.”

Unlucky in love, teenager Jack Grammar cannot get a date to the prom until his friends play a practical joke and place a personal ad in the school online newspaper on his behalf.

Liz says:

“This is a funny and ultimately heartwarming story.”