Do You Wonder Why? How to Answer Life’s Tough Questions. David Pouilloux, $13.95

Part of growing up is questioning who you are and the world around you. You might have lots of questions — but sometimes the answers are harder to come by. In these pages you will find reassuring advice on topics from love and relationships to family, school, and staying true to yourself. By answering some of your biggest, most important questions, this book can help you make sense of what you’re feeling and what’s going on in your life.

The Silent Summer of Kyle McGinley. Jan Andrews, $14.95 (novel, ages 13+)

Kyle McGinley doesn’t say a word. Fed up with being shuttled from one foster care home to another, he has stopped speaking. But at the home of Jill and Scott Wardman, with the help of a crow, and a swamp, and an excess of black paint, he begins to think maybe — just maybe — life could get better.

The White Bicycle. Beverley Brenna, $12.95 (juvenile fiction)

THE WHITE BICYCLE follows the adventures of Taylor Jane, a young woman with Asperger's Syndrome, who travels to the south of France with her mother and her friends. She is going to be working for the summer babysitting for the Phoenix family. While on this journey Taylor will meet a surprising mentor, and embark on a quest for independence both personal and universal as she casts her mind back to her earliest memories.

BASODEE: an Anthology Dedicated to Black Youth. Edited by Fiona Raye Clarke, $20.00

Are you feeling Basodee?

This honest portrayal of Canadian-Black relations is a passionate and eye-opening collection of youth poems, essays, and stories exploring experiences of culture shock, stereotyping, family, and the facts and fictions of Black Canadian history.

RAGE: True Stories by Teens about Anger. Edited by Laura Longhine, $13.50

These teens have plenty of reasons to be angry: parental abuse, street violence, peer pressure, powerlessness, and more. The writers talk honestly about anger management for teens as they struggle to gain control of their emotions and stop hurting others and themselves.

PRESSURE: True Stories by Teens about Stress. Edited by Al Desetta, $13.50

Stress hits these teens from all angles: pressure at school, at home, and in their relationships. The writers in this book on teens and stress describe their stress-relief techniques, including exercise, music, writing, and more, and offer inspiring examples of perseverance. Their stories of teens and stress captivate and inspire.

Fat Boy Chronicles. Diane Lang & Michael Buchanan, $9.95 (novel)

At age fourteen and 5’5”, Jimmy weighs 187 pounds. Outside the comfort of his family and youth group, life for Jimmy is a constant struggle.

Inspired by a true story, the FAT BOY CHRONICLES reveals the emotionally painful world obese teens experience in a culture obsessed with outward beauty.

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things. Carolyn Mackler, $10.00 (ages 14+)

An overweight teen is sure that she's the weakest link in her high-powered family — until her handsome, athletic, star-student brother has a shocking fall from grace.

With irreverent humor, insight, and surprising gravity, Carolyn Mackler creates an endearingly blunt heroine whose story will speak to every teen who struggles with family expectations — and serve as a welcome reminder that the most impressive achievement is to be true to yourself.

Luna. Julie Anne Peters, $8.99

Regan's brother Liam can't stand the person he is during the day. Like the moon from whom Liam has chosen his female namesake, his true self, Luna, only reveals herself at night. In the secrecy of his basement bedroom Liam transforms himself into the beautiful girl he longs to be, with help from his sister's clothes and makeup. Now, everything is about to change — Luna is preparing to emerge from her cocoon. But are Liam's family and friends ready to welcome Luna into their lives? Compelling and provocative, this is an unforgettable novel about a transgender teen's struggle for self-identity and acceptance.

Almost Perfect. Brian Katcher, $10.99

Logan Witherspoon recently discovered that his girlfriend of three years cheated on him. But things start to look up when a new student breezes through the halls of his small-town high school.

Sage Hendricks befriends Logan at a time when he no longer trusts or believes in people. Sage has been homeschooled for a number of years and her parents have forbidden her to date anyone, but she won't tell Logan why. One day, Logan acts on his growing feelings for Sage. Moments later, he wishes he never had. Sage finally discloses her big secret: she's actually a boy. Enraged, frightened, and feeling betrayed, Logan lashes out at Sage and disowns her. But once Logan comes to terms with what happened, he reaches out to Sage in an attempt to understand her situation. But Logan has no idea how rocky the road back to friendship will be.

It Was the Worst of Times … Then It Got Worse: High School Stories and Survival Tips. Philippe de Jocas, $18.95

Philippe de Jocas, 17, explores the tangled and often confusing world of high school. Read about school projects gone disastrously awry, warfare in the school halls, the bizarre student council elections and more from the perspective of this smart, funny and self-confessed socially awkward geeky teen.

Funny and strange, It Was the Worst of Times will resonate with everyone who has ever tiptoed through the school halls, hoping to stay invisible.

True Blue. Deborah Ellis, $17.95

Casey and Jess were best friends forever. But now Casey has been arrested for murder. Of course it's a mistake. Stephanie Grass was the brattiest kid at camp; Casey and Jess weren't the only counselors who complained about her. Sure, Casey used to joke about killing the kid, but she wasn't serious. While the whole town takes sides and waits for the trial, Jess finds herself the center of attention. Everyone wants to know what happened that summer. They are hanging on every word. But does anyone really care about Jess? The truth is, without Casey, Jess feels left behind. And she doesn't like it one bit.

An enthralling read that is part psychological suspense, part murder mystery, TRUE BLUE looks at the darker side of friendship and the inner world of an emotionally detached teenager who struggles to find the moral courage to remain loyal to a friend in trouble.

Words That Start With B. Vikki VanSickle, $8.99

Grade seven is full of challenges for Clarissa and she’s up for it! She takes on bullies, boys and teachers as she adjusts to life as a teenager. But the biggest test of all comes when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, and Clarissa isn’t sure she’s ready for this challenge.

I.D. Stuff That Happens to Define Us. Kate Scowen & Peter Mitchell, $12.95

I.D. offers 12 first-person accounts about life’s pivotal moments — those universal experiences from our youth that mar us, mold us and make us who we are.

I Am an Emotional Creature: the Secret Life of Girls Around the World. Eve Ensler, $15.00

In this book, internationally acclaimed author and playwright Eve Ensler offers fictional monologues and stories inspired by girls around the globe. Fierce, tender and smart, I Am an Emotional Creature is a celebration of the authentic voice inside every girl and an inspiring call to action for girls everywhere to speak up, follow their dreams and become the women they were meant to be.

SCARS. Cheryl Rainfield, $19.50

Fifteen-year-old Kendra, a budding artist, has not felt safe since she began recalling devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse — especially since she cannot remember the abuser’s identity.  She copes with her fears and pain by cutting herself, until her therapist, a concerned teacher and a loving friend join together to help her.

The Saver. Edeet Ravel, $12.95

The Saver is a powerful novel about an iron-willed but endearing teenager who must fend for herself after the death of her mother.

The road to god knows … a graphic novel. Von Allen, $14.95

The road to god knows … is the story of Marie, a teenage girl coming to grips with her mother’s schizophrenia. There’s no handbook, no guide to help her deal with what life throws at her as she struggles to grow up fast, and wrestles with poverty, loneliness and her mother’s illness.

Twitch, Jerk, Freak—Sam Carrier has been called them all. Because of his Tourette’s syndrome, Sam is in near constant motion with tics and twitches and verbal outbursts. So, of course, high school is nothing but torment. Forget friends. And home isn’t much better with his domineering stepfather reminding him that the only person who was more useless than Sam was his dead father, Jack. But then an unexpected turn of events unearths the truth about his father. And suddenly Sam doesn’t know who he is, or even where he’ll go next.

Life Freaks Me Out and Then I Deal With It: Reassuring Secrets from a Former Teenager. K.L. Hong, $13.95

This thoughtful, very personal book explores the turbulent and exhilarating situations teens face every day. Reflections on sexuality, substance use, friendships, self-esteem and family are grounded in an honest and passionate argument for the importance of finding your own values and truths in life — now and always.

Think Again.  JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Julie Morstad, $18.95

This collection of quietly beautiful and surprisingly humorous short poems reveals first love’s uncertainties, frustrations and joys.

You Hear Me? Poems and Writing by Teenage Boys. Edited by Betsy Franco, $8.00

In a powerful collection of more than seventy uncensored poems and essays, more than fifty teenage boys from across the country explore their many-layered concerns: identity, love, envy, gratitude, sex, anger, competition, fear, hope. Here, unadorned and without the filter of adult sensibility, is the raw stuff of their lives, in their own words.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: the Secrets Behind What You Eat, Young Reader’s Edition. Michael Pollan, $12.50

Based on the bestseller “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: a Natural History of Four Meals”, author Michael Pollan takes young readers behind the scenes of the food industry to learn the realities and the politics of how our food gets to the table.

Absolutely, Positively Not. David Larochelle, $11.50

Steven doesn’t know if he’ll pass his driver’s test or if he’ll ever understand his parents, but there’s one thing he knows for sure: He’s absolutely, positively NOT gay.  Right?

A funny and poignant look at the life of a boy who’s finding out what it means to be himself.

Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories. Deborah Ellis, $14.95

Deborah Ellis's first collection of short stories explores the lives of young people who have been affected directly, or indirectly, by drugs. Sometimes touching and often surprising, the stories are set against backdrops as diverse as the remote north and small town America to Moscow's Red Square and an opium farm in Afghanistan.

This is an unforgettable collection of stories that will elicit discussions about the toll drugs take on the lives of teenagers and their families.

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls. Edited by Deb Loughead & Joyce Shipley, $12.95

A brash new collection of fifteen original stories about girls who stand against convention, and girls who wish they could. In turn hilarious, edgy, comforting, intense, the collection is about holding back and letting loose, about sex and glamour and common sense. Here are heroes that strike a chord and make us think.

Angel's Choice. Lauren Baratz-Logsted, $8.99

In one night Angel Hansen's life changes forever: She has sex for the first time. Not that she remembers the act itself - not the pain or the pleasure. But she is left with something that will never let her forget it: an unplanned pregnancy. Angel must make a choice. Abortion? Adoption? Keep it? None of these choices are easy and none of them are perfect. But there is one thing Angel is sure of. Whatever choice she makes, it must be the right one for her. Braced with that knowledge, Angel faces the toughest decision of her life.

Our Stories, Our Songs: African Children Talk about AIDS. Deborah Ellis, $17.95

In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are more than 11.5 million orphans. The AIDS pandemic has claimed their parents, their aunts, and their uncles. What is life like for these children? Who do they care for, and who cares for them? Come and meet them. They might surprise you.

The Teen Guide to Global Action: How to Connect with Others (Near and Far) to Create Social Change. Barbara Lewis, $16.50

Kids everywhere are deciding they can’t wait to become adults to change the world. They’re acting right now to fight hunger and poverty, promote health and human rights, save the environment, and work for peace. Their stories prove that young people can make a difference on a global scale. This book includes real-life stories to inspire young readers, plus a rich and varied menu of opportunities for service, fast facts, hands-on activities, user-friendly tools, and up-to-date resources kids can use to put their own volunteer spirit into practice. It also spotlights young people from the past whose efforts led to significant positive change. Upbeat, practical, and highly motivating, this book has the power to rouse young readers everywhere.

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. Susin Nielsen, $19.99

This deeply moving novel looks at the ultimate cost of bullying — with a cast of fabulous characters, dark humour, and a lovable, difficult protagonist struggling to come to terms with the horrible crime his brother has committed.

War Brothers: the Graphic Novel. Sharon McKay & Daniel Lafrance, $18.95

When fourteen-year-old Jacob is brutally abducted and forced to become a child soldier, he struggles to hold on to his sanity and the will to escape.  Readers will never forget the experiences of this young boy struggling to survive, unsure who to trust, afraid of succumbing to madness, and above all, desperate to get to freedom. In the end, Jacob engineers a daring escape. 

This graphic novel is based on the acclaimed novel of the same title, winner of a 2009 Arthur Ellis award. The author spent time in Uganda and based this story on real-life accounts of the horrors inflicted on child soldiers and their victims. Daniel Lafrance’s striking artwork and the poignant, powerful text capture the very essence of life as a child soldier.

Autism, the Invisible Cord: a Sibling's Diary. Barbara Cain, $10.95 (novel, ages 12-18)

Meet Jenny — a teen who confides in her diary about what it is like to live with Ezra, her younger brother with autism, and her life with the most "wacky, exasperating, infuriating, amazing younger brother!"

If living with Ezra weren't hard enough, Jenny must deal with school bullies, rude classmates, and fragile friendships. But with the promise of a summer writing program and an Ezra-inspired project, Jenny finds the courage to be more than just "Ezra's sister, protector, defender, and his best and only friend," and loosens the invisible cord just enough to follow her own dreams.

This High School Has Closets. Robert Joseph Greene, $9.95 (novel, ages 14 +)

High school is a challenge for all teens. For Mark Thomas, falling in love, and dealing with becoming an adult, made his senior year of high school both difficult and exhilarating. THIS HIGH SCHOOL HAS CLOSETS is a story of two young teenagers falling in love during a difficult senior year.

VICIOUS: True Stories by Teens about Bullying. Edited by Hope Vanderberg, $13.50

The essays on teenage bullying in VICIOUS address every form of bullying: physical, verbal, relational, and cyber. These stories will appeal to readers because the writers’ cruelty and hurt are unmistakably real—and the writers’ stories are at times painful, often admirable, and always compelling for the resilience they reveal.

Heart of a Warrior: 7 Ancient Secrets to a Great Life. Jim Langlas, $17.50

The inspiration for this book comes from the ancient Korean history of the Hwarang — young student-warriors who worked to strengthen their spirits as well as their fighting skills. Author Jim Langlas, an educator and Taekwondo master, presents seven principles that are rooted in the long tradition of Taekwondo and are also tied to modern character education: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, community service, and love. Breaking each of the principles into four fundamentals, Langlas explores them through a mix of storytelling from the Hwarang and writing from his own former students, describing ways in which they've applied these principles to their own lives and inspiring readers to do the same. Rounding out the narrative are questions to spur reflection, discussion, and action. Included in the back of the book is a leader's guide offering tips on using the book with teens. From the Taekwondo dojang to the classroom and beyond, this unique book will interest and inspire teens of many backgrounds. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Just for Teenagers: 101 Stories of Inspiration and Support for Teens. Jack Canfield, Mark Victor & Amy Newmark, $16.95

You're becoming an adult, your friends are changing, school is more challenging and your life has more ups and downs than it used to. This "support group in a book" is just for you. You are not alone and you'll find out why when you read these true stories from the lives of teens just like you.

Morning Star. Judith Plaxon, $10.95

Two girls, at opposite ends of history.

Flower is an escaped slave who, with her parents and baby brother, makes her way north to Canada via the Underground Railway. Felicia, living 150 years later, is the "new girl" and one of the few black kids in her new school.

When Felicia is asked to research her ancestry for a school project, she wonders if her new friends will want to hear about her family's history as slaves.

Everything's Okay: My Journey Surviving Childhood Cancer. Alesia Shute, illustrated by Nathan Lueth, $15.95 (graphic novel)

When Alesia Shute was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7, her life was redirected as was that of her entire family. She would go on to survive six major surgeries that had never been tested on a child, several minor surgeries and countless hours of pain and months of hospitalization. Alesia had to grow up quickly and adjust to being sickly and different from others. EVERYTHING IS OKAY is her story of survival that details not only her recovery, but also her struggles through school, adolescence, boys, marriage, and pregnancy, with some hilarious tales of her adult life to boot.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Sherman Alexie, with art by Ellen Forney, $13.99

Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he thought he was destined to live.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Tough Times. Jack Canfield, Mark Victor & Amy Newmark, $16.95

Being a teenager is difficult even under the best conditions. When bad things happen, the challenges can be overwhelming.  Read how other teens dealt with:

• Self-destructive behavior, eating disorders and substance abuse
• Illness, injuries and loss
• Divorce, moves and other family upheavals
• Finding meaning in their lives and new happiness
• Overcoming obstacles and meeting challenges

Boyfriends with Girlfriends. Alex Sanchez, $19.99 (novel, ages 14 & up)

Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection — but will it be enough to overcome their differences? Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years — but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.

Boyfriends with Girlfriends is Alex Sanchez at his best, writing with a sensitive hand to portray four very real teens striving to find their places in the world — and with each other.

Ask Elizabeth: Real Answers to Everything You Secretly Wanted to Ask About Love, Friends, Your Body ... and Life in General. Elizabeth Berkley, $21.00

Ask Elizabeth is the complete guide to teen life, inspired by the many workshops Elizabeth Berkley has conducted with teen girls. Much like a private diary, the book will be a personal resource that girls can turn to when they seek answers to teen life's toughest questions. The content contains real and practical advice, anecdotes and wisdom on topics like body image, relationships, bullying, grief, parents, friendships, goals and much more.

Your Life in Comics: 100 Things for Guys to Write and Draw. Bill Zimmerman & Tyler Page, $10.99 (ages 11-15)

What’s more fun than reading comics? Making your own! Your Life in Comics lets you do just that. It’s an interactive comic book where you can tell stories from your own life. Includes access to websites with great games, fast facts and more cartooning activities.

Ellen’s Book of Life. Joan Givner, $12.95

During the most difficult summer of her life, Ellen finally begins the search for her birth mother. The results are surprising, moving and often very funny, turning life upside down in more ways than one.

Maus: a Survivor’s Tale. Volume I, My Father Bleeds History. Art Spiegelman, $15.95

Maus: a Survivor’s Tale. Volume II, And Here My Troubles Began. Art Spiegelman, $15.95

This is the story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler’s Europe, and his son, a cartoonist coming to terms with his father’s story. Maus approaches the unspeakable through the diminutive. Its form, the cartoon (the Nazis are cats, the Jews mice), shocks us out of any lingering sense of familiarity and succeeds in “drawing us closer to the bleak heart of the Holocaust” (The New York Times).

Maus is a haunting tale within a tale. Vladek’s harrowing story of survival is woven into the author’s account of his tortured relationship with his aging father. Against the backdrop of guilt brought by survival, they stage a normal life of small arguments and unhappy visits. This astonishing retelling of our century’s grisliest news is a story of survival, not only of Vladek but of the children who survive even the survivors. Maus studies the bloody pawprints of history and tracks its meaning for all of us.

Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak. Deborah Ellis, $12.95

This book is about the children of the war-torn Middle East. Deborah Ellis, author of the enormously popular Breadwinner trilogy, turns her attention from the children of Afghanistan to the children of Israel and Palestine, presenting their stories based on interviews done in the winter of 2002 while in Israel and Palestine. This simple and telling book allows children everywhere to see those caught in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as children just like themselves, but who are living far more difficult, dangerous lives. The book does not take sides, but it does present an unblinking portrait of how victimized these children are by the endless struggle that the adults around them seem unable or unwilling to resolve. The text includes brief background information, black-and-white photographs taken by the author, a map, a glossary and suggestions for further reading.

The Little Black Book for Girlz: a Book on Healthy Sexuality. By Youth, for Youth (St. Stephen’s Community House), $9.95

The Little Black Book for Girlz is a book on healthy sexuality written by girls for girls. A diverse group of urban teens went looking for information about sexuality. They collected stories, poetry, interviews, art and more from other youth and health care workers. The result is an honest, factual look at the physical and emotional issues young women face — a powerful presentation of real-life examples and life-saving info.

The Little Black Book for Guys: Guys Talk about Sex. By Youth for Youth (St. Stephen’s Community House), $9.95

A survival guide to being a guy. Lots of guys talk the big talk, but what’s really going on with sex? That’s what a group of young men sat down to figure out for The Little Black Book for Guys. To get behind the hype, they talked to other teens and collected stories, poems, essays, and art about personal experiences. They also interviewed health professionals to get the facts they need to make healthy choices. The result is a revealing collection of personal thoughts and need-to-know information. Topics include:

• Puberty • Wet dreams • Masturbation • Penis size • Dating • Safer sex and birth control
• Sexually Transmitted Infections / AIDS

Written, illustrated, and designed by youth, and carefully vetted by doctors, The Little Black Book for Guys is more than a book about sex. It’s a snapshot of being a guy at the beginning of the 21st century.

Contains frank descriptions of sexuality and coarse language.

In Love and In Danger: a Teen’s Guide to Breaking Free of Abusive Relationships. Barrie Levy, $16.95

This book is for teenagers and parents of teens who have questions about abusive dating relationships. In Love and In Danger helps teens understand abusive dating situations, decide how to deal with them and learn how to get help. Providing useful information, practical advice and revealing interviews with teens, this newly revised edition includes a new afterword for parents and a resource sections with information on books, websites and organizations teens can turn to for help.

101 Ways to Dance. Kathy Stinson, $9.95 (ages 13 and up)

In this risqué collection, award-winning author for young people Kathy Stinson offers characters and plotlines that reflect the many ways teens learn about lust and love. From the first stirrings of same-sex desire on a lakeside beach to troubling paternity questions around a teen pregnancy, Stinson's stories reflect both the sweetness and the scariness of teenage sexuality. Offers many opportunities for discussion, and also a great choice for reluctant readers. A must-have for all junior high and high school libraries.

First Crossing: Stories about Teen Immigrants. Edited by Donald Gallo, $11.50

Here are ten unique short stories that reflect the difficulties teen immigrants face in trying to please family and fit in with their new surroundings.

My Kind of Sad: What It's Like to be Young and Depressed. Kate Scowen, $12.95

Depression has always afflicted humankind. Yet adolescent depression has only been medically recognized in the past two decades. Daily teen life is tumultuous even at the best of times. So how are you supposed to tell general worries from something more serious?