Grades 9 – 12
Jake Hyde’s father died by drowning, so he doesn’t swim. At all. In fact, he lives in a dessert and is forced by his mother to stay away from water at all costs. He wants to go to college on the coast however, and work with the ocean for a living. That is a secret he’s keeping from his mother. His other big secret? He doesn’t tell his best friend Maria that he doesn’t return her feelings; in fact, he is attracted to Kenny, a boy in his class who has shown interest in him. Can he come clean and be his true self?
Thanks to SLJ for a review copy of this book.
Lekha Divekar is the only Indian American in her town and feels like there are two of her: The Lekha who can be herself at home, and the one at school who has to deal with classmates who bully her for being who she is. Then she meets Avantika, an Indian girl her age who moves across the street. The two become fast friends and Lekha learns a lot from Avantika, who stands up for herself against the bullies.
Teen artist Ashley Rayburn has a troubled past, with her father in prison and stints in multiple foster homes. Things start to brighten for her when she meets loving parents and a new best friend, not to mention a suitcase full of superhero body paints that she uses to her advantage. Everything is going well until the government contacts her and lets her know they want the paints back. She is forced to make a tough decision and protect her family – or not.
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