by DJ Brandon; West 44 Books/Enslow, 2024.
When Meadow is approached by an adult stranger, she keeps the disturbing encounter to herself. Although she strives to find ways to navigate her emotions, it is only when she helps another girl in a similar situation that she finds the courage to speak up and reach out for support.
by Rajani LaRocca; Quill Tree, 2021.
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca, a novel-in-verse the author calls “the novel of my heart,” is a story sure to touch the hearts of readers. Set in the 1980s, it centers on thirteen year-old Reha, who is endeavoring to manage her two worlds: a warm and loving home, but one that is not fully assimilated to life in America; and school, where possibilities—exciting, inviting, and perplexing—beckon. The story of how Reha comes to realize, cope, and ultimately grow from a devastating personal loss is at once heart wrenching and hopeful.