(2) YA The morning after attending a fair run by (fictional) Faber College's fraternities, fifteen-year-old Nora wakes up on the golf course without any memory of how she got there. Her best friend, Camille, is by her side and explains that the night before, three guys removed Nora's underwear and hung it from a flagstick at the course before their classmate, Adam, chased them away. As Nora grapples with the implications of what ­happened--and what could have happened if Adam hadn't intervened--Cam and Adam decide to find out who the guys were. Their investigation leads to unsavory revelations about one of Faber's fraternities and about the college's charismatic, beloved athletic director--who is also Nora's dad. The victim-shaming that follows is depressing but familiar; the novel unflinchingly exposes the sexism inherent in excusing men's assaultive behavior while blaming women because of how they're dressed or how much they drank. More subtle but equally devastating is the fall from grace of Nora's father, "her favorite person in the world"; his refusal to accept responsibility adds a layer of trauma and makes it more difficult for Nora to speak out. Her eventual decision to formally accuse her attackers is a powerful one as she courageously reclaims her voice and her story: it's a small, satisfying step toward justice.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) YA Everything changed for Quinn McAvoy when she began losing her hair due to alopecia. But starting high school across the country offers her a second chance, and a brand-new wig helps her fit in. Friend's natural dialogue and candid depictions of disability--from Quinn's little brother's autism to love interest Nick's above-knee amputation--delicately elevate this story from issues-novel territory.

Reviewer: Robyn Bahr

(3) YA Fifteen-year-old Milo and his half-sister, fourteen-year-old Hollis, set out to find their sperm-donor father. Along the way they meet more half-siblings, who help them better understand the meaning of family. Chapters narrated by a close third-person voice alternate between Hollis's and Milo's perspectives, depicting fully realized, dynamic characters. Believable dialogue and natural pacing bolster this nontraditional family drama.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Thirteen-year-old Anna's mother has tried to commit suicide, and Anna is dealing with it alone. Her best friend has dumped her for a cooler crowd, and her dad's new twenty-four-year-old wife is barely out of her college sorority. This unoriginal but still-engaging novel about second families and new middle-school friendships is elevated by complex moments in Anna's relationship with her mother.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) YA Others have defined Lexi as beautiful. Now it's how she defines herself. So when her face goes through a windshield on the same night that her best friend betrays her, Lexi wonders who she is and, ultimately, who she wants to be. Lexi's voice is spot on and her transformation is satisfying (if tidy) in this well-crafted exploration of family, friendship, and self.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(2) YA Josie's mom had her when she was in high school; Josie's father, Paul, moved away before she was born. Now, sixteen years later, Josie meets Paul and uncovers the truth about why they've never met. Josie's feelings--anger toward her dad; difficulty accepting her mom's new love interest--are genuine throughout. Sensitive and affecting, the novel doesn't shy away from tough issues.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(3) YA Thirteen-year-old Evyn has a difficult time adjusting after her father remarries and moves the family from Maine to Boston. Feeling like she's losing her father, Evyn finds comfort in imagined conversations with her dead mother. School is a major source of her anxiety, but ultimately the story is about how a family grows. Evyn's insecurities will resonate with readers.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) YA Thirteen-year-old Sam tries to hide her alcoholic father's behavior (and her family tries to ignore it), but when she's pushed to the edge, she begins exchanging anonymous letters with an older student. Soon Sam identifies her confidant and, through their friendship, finds the strength to confront her parents. A realistic look at alcohol's ability to destroy lives. Resource list appended.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) YA Stunned by her father's death and her mother's inability to cope, thirteen-year-old Isabelle develops bulimia as a way to gain some control in her life. Isabelle's mother quickly finds out and forces Isabelle into group therapy to face her behavior. Realistic description and dialogue and sincerely portrayed emotions deliver a strong message about self-image and family.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio