Tearjerkers

Quirky, uplifting, and written in a spare prose, this hopeful and humorous debut explores the connections made in life, the resilience of the human spirit, and the absurdities that keep life interesting.

Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Bakerahis classmate and crushawho committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, heall find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clayas dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Bechard writes with humor and empathy, weaving the story of 17-year-old Sam in a very real look at the lives of teen fathers today. "A breath of fresh air . . . a poignant winner of a book."--"School Library Journal," starred review.

Studious and responsible, 15-year-old Mado is the family brain. Her sister Patty is a carefree 20-year-old party girl living on her own. The two are following divergent paths until their parents die in a car accident and a judge appoints Patty as her sister's guardian.

The New York Times bestselling author delivers a page-turning novel that carries readers on a roller coaster of denial, grief, comfort, and love as readers watch a broken but resilient girl pick up the pieces of her life and fit them back together.

The death of high school basketball star Rob Washington in an automobile accident affects the lives of his close friend Andy, who was driving the car, and many others in the school.

TORMENT: EXTREME PAIN OR ANGUISH OF BODY OR MIND

Seventeen-year-old Adam is tormented. His parents have just been killed in a car crash in Idaho, and he has survived. In a speechless state of shock, Adam begins walking home, back to Rhode Island. But he can't think in a straight line: The past and present blend and merge in his thoughts; the future's a blank; he's lost his voice and his money. Memories fling themselves at him like stones, some inflicting great pain.

In Adam's harrowing journey he faces many challenges. He confronts situations that demand violence or compromise from him, forcing him to question what it means to be a man, even as he tries to find his voice in a world suddenly devoid of meaning. This gripping and haunting novel is the story of one young man's struggle to survive -- literally -- on the road, and to propel

Anna wasn't drunk--but she had been drinking--and now she feels guilty for an accident that left her brother's girlfriend dead. Therapy reveals her dreams, memories, fears, and precarious sense of self.

In a stunning debut novel, Miles "Pudge" Halter befriends some fellow boarding school students whose lives are everything but boring. Pudge falls in love with Alaska, the razor-sharp and self-destructive nucleus. But when tragedy strikes, Pudge then discovers the value of loving unconditionally.

This debut novel tells the story of 16-year-old Angela Rossini, whose family life was anchored by her father. Now she and her family must find out how life works without Dad. Original.

Haunted by a tragic loss, 15-year-old Green struggles to survive physically and emotionally. But in destroying her feelings, Green also begins to destroy herself. Only through a series of mysterious encounters will she learn the lessons of love and begin to heal.

Runner Up - 2006 VSBA 7-12
Winner - 2004 Michael L. Printz Award
Winner - 2004 Coretta Scott King Award
With powerful language and keen insight, Johnson tells the story of a teen father's struggle to figure out what "the right thing" is and then to do it.

Told with humor and poignancy, Johnson's debut novel tells the story of three sisters who must cope with the sudden death of their father. This tale speaks to girls everywhere about loss, love, and the freedom that comes with a single car key.

Nathan Malone has been homeschooled his whole life. He's never spent much time with kids his own age and he's never dated. His mother is now busy with his new twin sisters, so Nathan must enroll at the local high school for his senior year. On the first day, a girl on a motorcycle catches his eye and Nathan is excited to discover the girl is also in his English class.
Not only does Lisa ride a motorcycle to school, but she's a loner who seems to come and go as she pleases. She doesn't care what anybody thinks of her. Nathan is intrigued--he's never met anyone like her or had such strong feelings. When he and Lisa finally start spending time together, he's the happiest he's ever been.
But Lisa has a tragic secret and, when she decides she'll handle it herself, Nathan has to make a choice. Can he ever let go of Lisa?

"From the Ha

To seventeen-year-old Rose, the accident keeps happening - that car crash on a mountain road with her older sister behind the wheel, the crash that leaves Ivy in a vegetative comma and Rose to struggle with the loss of her big sister Ivy. Mom is blind to Rose's pain and refuses to accept the truth of Ivy's condition; she won't even visit Ivy's bedside. Instead, she goes to work at the factory and spends her nights endlessly weaving potholders or folding paper cranes. With Ivy on life support, Rose relives the moment of impact and begins to self-destruct. In an effort to feel something - anything - she takes to meeting boys at the gorge - to do whatever they want. Poignant, honest, and ultimately hopeful, this first novel from the acclaimed author of SHADOW BABY and SNAP depicts the trauma of survival and family loss - and

Searingly honest, emotionally wrenching, and ultimately redemptive, this novel of an inspiring journey of self-discovery and hope by bestselling author Oates brings readers face to face with their worst fear and shows them the way back. Extras in this edition include the true-life inspiration of the story.

From the author of "Luna" comes this heartbreaking yet hopeful novel about a small-town girl who falls in love with the cool, complicated, and sexy new girl in town, but who is just out of reach.

Things for Hanna change so suddenly that she moves into a pivotal season in her life. And when she meets a guy named Will, things become more complicated than ever in this ALA Best book for Young Adults.

"IF SHE DIES, I'll die," are the words 15-year-old Mia Perlman writes in her journal the night her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Nine days later, Mia's mother is dead, and Mia, her older sister, and her father must find a way to live on in the face of sudden, unfathomable loss. But even in grief, there is the chance for new beginnings in this poignant, funny, and hopeful novel.

Hijacking his teacher's time machine, Langston sends a holographic image of himself back in time, hoping to prevent the invention of gunpowder because his best friend has been shot and killed.

The acclaimed author of "When Kambia Elaine Flew in from Neptune" now delivers the story of one girl's excruciating struggle to beat the odds. Williams imbues this narrative with an unshakable sense of hope that transcends China's bleak reality.

This beautiful sequel to "If You Come Softly" explores the experiences of those left behind after tragedy. It is a novel in which through hope, understanding and love, healing begins.

Taking a voyeuristic look at the crippling effects of depression, this powerful and realistic debut novel explores the lengths a family will go to in order to save one of its own, and the strength it takes to learn how to ask for help.

This insightful first novel is about a girl who must survive the loss of her first love. "Girls suffering from broken hearts will relate to Bridget's changing perceptions and may even find themselves fortified in the process."--"Publishers Weekly."

Elsewhere is where 15-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. However, Liz wants to turn 16, not 14 again in this moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss.