Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

Will Tuppence is a sensible kid who is good at science and has an average social life. He also has a loud-mouthed little 5-year old sister, Tabby, whom he does his very best to avoid. But when he learns that scientists have recorded the first instance of proton decay, his logical mind goes awry contemplating the implications. If he can't even trust in the permanence of atoms, how is he supposed to manage the more tangible but no less overwhelming obstacles in his life? When he catches his two best friends Mi-Su and BT kissing, his confusion skyrockets. Does he like Mi-Su himself? There is also the small matter of defending his local chess title while trying to plan the perfect time to kiss Mi-Su. A tragic accident helps Will understand that life and first kisses can't always be scheduled, and sometimes its better that way. The story ultimately hinges on Tabby, and Will's relationship with her. Will's teenage insecurities, overanalyzing, and mood swings are entirely believable, and readers empathize fully with him while willing him to step outside himself and look around at what he has. The narrative is fast moving and often funny. Short sentences and brief chapters make it a good pickfor reluctant readers.

Secrets, Lies and My Sister Kate

This wonderful novel by Belinda Hollyer takes the reader on an adventure with two sisters, Mini and Kate. Mini and Kate are sisters and best friends. They have no secrets - or so Mini thought. Mini discovers a family secret that is not only explosive, but threatens the core of her relationship with her sister. Even worse is that Kate knew, but didn't tell Mini. When Kate disappears without a trace, Mini stops at nothing to find her. Kate always knew how to make things better, but now that she is gone, what will Mini do? Mini can't get answers from her parents and with Kate gone, she is forced to rely on her own instincts. If she finds her, will her family ever be whole again or will they be forever broken. This is a great coming of age novel. Recommended for grades 7-12.

Black Box by Julie Schumacher

“I understood unhappiness when it came attached to something…But Dora’s unhappiness—or whatever it was—seemed to exist independently on its own. I pictured stunted, faceless creatures manufacturing it in a cave somewhere, like a toxic gas.” (Black box, p.59) Elena’s big sister Dora is depressed. As her condition worsens, Dora eventually attempts suicide and ends up being hospitalized. As the “steady Eddie” of the family, Elena shoulders the burden of helping her sister and trying to support her very distracted parents as well. While her parents have had the wisdom to set Elena up with a therapist, she receives immediate help from a neighbor boy, Jimmy, whom she knows only slightly. Elena slowly builds her trust of the therapist, but comes to rely more and more on her friendship with Jimmy as the family situation and Dora’s condition spiral out of her control. Schumacher has captured the jerky, quirky writing style of many young adolescents in her moving account of a teenager’s descent into mental illness and its toll on her family. Chapters are rarely longer than three or four pages, but have a strong, forward narrative line that makes Black box not only emotionally affecting, but also compelling. Grades 7-12.