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Books for Young Adults

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Julia Alvarez chronicles the story of a young girl's escape from the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. In Before We Were Free, twelve-year-old Anita de la Torre lives in fear that the secret police could at any time invade her house, steal her secret treasures, or take away her father, uncles, and brothers. When she learns that her father and uncles are involved in a plot to kill El Jefe, the dictator, she knows that her whole family is in deadly peril.

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies is not one of those books at all. This book by Sonya Sones tells the story of a feisty teen dealing with her grief after losing her mom to cancer. Ruby's grief turns to anger when she has to leave the life she knew to move in with her movie star dad in Los Angeles. Although her dad showers her with attention and lavish gifts, Ruby turns a cold shoulder to all he has to offer. Her developing friendship with her dad's personal assistant is some comfort, but she has a harder and harder time keeping up the icy veneer with her dad. However, an earthquake leads to an unexpected change for Ruby and a tremendously satisfying ending.

Angela Johnson tells the riveting story of a young black man struggling to raise his infant daughter alone, in The First Part Last. Sixteen-year-old Booby struggles to juggle school, friends, and parenting while his girlfriend remains in a coma from eclampsia. Against the advice of both familys, Bobby raises baby Feather alone, and the scenes in which Bobby expresses the love he has for his daughter will truly touch your heart.

Next Page: Books for Children ages 6-10

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