A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi

Tareq lives happily with his big family in Syria until war tears his world apart. When his home and half his family are destroyed, Tareq struggles to survive. This story follows his efforts to escape a country filled with civil war, hatred, and fear. However, escaping the country isn’t enough. Tareq and his family will have to face many more horrors just to find a place with acceptance and a chance for a brighter future.

A Land of Permanent Goodbyes is a painful yet powerfully important book. Tareq’s experience, although fictional, introduces young adult readers to the harsh life of a war refugee. Abawi doesn’t shy away from hard subjects, but she focuses on the ‘helpers’ that aid refugees in their struggle rather than sharing only the darkness and horror. This book will be difficult for some readers, but I feel Tareq’s story is important for teens to hear. We all need more empathy and understanding for these people who face so much suffering. I recommend reading this book as a family or with a discussion group to help younger readers process the reality of these circumstances in our world today. I hope many will read Tareq’s story and be inspired to join the ‘helpers’ of the world in the cause of the refugees.

Recommended ages--14 and up

Grendel's Guide to Love and War by A.E. Kaplan

Anyone brave enough to write a young adult realistic fiction novel based on Beowulf deserves my respect. The author who writes such a story well enough to actually capture young adult interest deserves high praise. Although I can’t speak definitively for young readers, I think Kaplan’s first YA novel is a success.

Tom Grendel lives a quiet life with his father in a neighborhood filled with elderly widows. He is content with mowing the neighborhood lawns to build his college fund and keeping a low profile. When the two old ladies next door move out and their grand niece and nephew move in, Tom’s life begins to fall apart. Rex Rothgar immediately starts nightly partying that aggravates Tom’s father’s PTSD. Can Tom stop the parties while retaining the interest of Rex’s sister Willow?

Both humorous and profound, Grendel’s Guide to Love and War is an entertaining look at the life of a quirky and loveable teen. I would recommend the book to older readers because of one ‘almost’ sex scene--really a peripheral scene and completely unnecessary, but included--so be warned.

Recommended ages--15 and up

Hachiko Waits by Leslea Newman

Everyday Professor Ueno and his dog arrive at the train station where the professor catches a train to work. Everyday around 3 o’clock, the faithful dog Hachi is at the station waiting for his master. Yasuo, a young boy who takes the train to school, befriends Hachi and and visits him regularly. Then one day Professor Ueno’s train arrives, but he is not on it, but still Hachi waits.

For ten years, Hachi continues to wait for his master who can no longer return. Yasuo takes care of Hachi and even tries to take him home, but Hachi will not leave his post. Hachi’s bittersweet story of utter faithfulness inspired the Japanese people and continues to inspire young readers today.

Recommended ages--9 and up