Ages 18+
This book is part memoir and part true crime, and hooked me right from the beginning. Krouse has one of those faces; the kind of face that makes people – complete strangers – come right out and tell her their darkest secrets. She has no idea why, and doesn’t know what to do about it, until the day she meets Grayson, a lawyer who also tells her a secret…and then asks her to work for him as a private investigator. Her first case is a big one, and she’s determined to crack it wide open.
Ages 18+
Perfect for fans of Orange Is the New Black (the book or the show), Corrections In Ink is Blakinger’s memoir about her experience as a competitive figure skater and her time in prison. Once she stopped skating, she got into all kinds of trouble, and finally got arrested by the cops for it, ultimately spending time behind bars for two years. Upon her release, Blakinger became a reporter and dedicated her career to exposing the flaws in our prison system.
Ages 18+
Tara Westover was seventeen years old before she ever set foot in a classroom. Raised by survivalist parents, she was never allowed to go to school, and didn’t consider herself homeschooled either. She wasn’t allowed to go to the hospital even for the severest of injuries. Then, Tara took it upon herself to teach herself enough grammar and math to be accepted into Brigham Young University, where she learned for the first time about the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. She then went on to Harvard and Cambridge, ultimately earning her PhD.
Grades 9 – 12
Allison Britz’s life was just like that of any other teen in her town, until everything changes forever after she has a dream that convinces her she has brain cancer and that she has to do everything in her power to cure it. First she starts avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk and counting all of her steps loudly as she walks. Things quickly spin out of control until the once popular Allison finds herself an outcast. Her family realizes she needs help, and she starts to see a doctor to help her with controlling her OCD.
Ages 18+
Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle writes about Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention program in the world. He preaches the Word of God as well as tells heartbreaking stories of people, and in particular, young people, that he has helped through the program.
Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
Ages 16+
Bubbles, a stray kitten, shares the challenges and fun in her life through anecdotes. After being abandoned as a kitten, Bubbles gives the love right back to her helper, who gives her a chance at a better life.
Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
Grades 9-12
Tim Tebow started out as a college football champion and went on to be drafted to play professionally for the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. Among all of this success, however, are trials and failures, neither of which define him. In this memoir for young people, Tebow proclaims his love for God and the faith that he has within himself to live through both the positives and negatives that life has to offer.
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Ages 13+
The third in the Bob the Cat series, this book details the last Christmas the James spent on the street before Bob the Cat saved his life. The two are best buds, and Bob really did help James turn his life around.
Ages 18+
This is a companion poetry book to Sobanet’s Meet Me in Paris. In it, she reveals her raw emotions of her heartbreak and ultimate happy ever after.
Ages 16+
16-year-old Kilee Brookbank’s life changed forever when she lit a candle in her home and an explosion left her homeless and with 3rd and 4th degree burns. Beautiful Scars is her story of strength, perseverance and her amazing road to recovery.
The Bookish Librarian 