A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Life, death, friendship, love (and the uncertain place in between), a cross country bicycle trip, Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad (the musical). A sad but funny coming of age novel.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Children are recruited to train as soldiers in the event of another alien attack, and Ender is the best of them all. Try this book even if you think you don’t like science fiction.
Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart
A story of identity, friendship, and murder told in short chapters that run backward in time. It’s so much fun!
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
The first in a series about a school for children who have returned from magical worlds and can’t readjust to their normal lives. These books are very short and each one centers around a different child, their fantasy world, and their journey.
Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
Suzette returns to her family after an incident at boarding school that she doesn’t want to talk about, only to discover her brother has gone off his meds but is also dating a girl Suzette is also falling for. A coming of age story that doesn’t shy away from the stickier parts of romance, family, race, mental illness, and love of all kinds.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Have you seen the movie? Try the book! It’s the same story you know and love but with even more characters, humor, and heart. Plus, footnotes!