Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

Henry Smith's father always says if you build your house far away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you. But when Henry's older brother Franklin is hit by a truck and critically injured, Trouble comes to stay. Because the driver of the truck is Chay Chouan, a Cambodian boy from Franklin's preparatory school, the accident sparks racial tension in the town and Henry's family is caught in the middle. As Henry struggles with his emotions, he escapes to climb Mt. Katahdin, a hike he planned to do with Franklin. On the road he meets Chay Chouan who is running from his own problems back home. Together, Henry and Chay learn to deal with Trouble that sometimes won't go away. Schmidt's powerful coming of age novel tells a touching story of grief, learning, and hope. With prose as beautiful as ever, Schmidt also illustrates the danger of prejudice and the power of loyalty. His story is an important one for teens and tweens to experience and could initiate important family discussions. Recommended ages--12 and up

Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst

With her powers of telekinesis--moving objects with her mind--Kayla has become a master shoplifter. She steals enough to escape with her mother if her abusive father tracks them down. But Kayla's life changes when Daniel shows up. He knows about Kayla's power and blackmails her into helping him save his mother from an unknown kidnapper. But Daniel has secrets as well, including his own power of teleportation. As Daniel and Kayla search for Daniel's mother, they uncover more secrets about the dangerous source of their magic. Sarah Beth Durst creates rich, deep and realistic characters set in a surprisingly believable alternate reality where magic is real. Her storytelling is entertaining and her characters are marvelous. This book is perfect for teens who like a touch of the supernatural in a recognizable and realistic world. Recommended ages--12 and up

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

One month before his birthday, a mysterious locked box arrives for Jeremy Fink. The inscription on the box reads THE MEANING OF LIFE: FOR JEREMY FINK TO OPEN ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY; however, the keys to the box are missing. The box was prepared and saved for Jeremy by his father who died nearly five years earlier, but Jeremy has no way to open it. With the help of his best friend Lizzy, Jeremy begins a quest to find the keys and open the box. During their search, the two friends have interesting experiences and meet a wide variety of people as they strive to find the meaning of life. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is perfect for tweens who are beginning to question their purpose and where they fit in the world. The story is engaging and Jeremy and Lizzy are characters easily understood by their pre-teen readers. This is an uplifting, inspirational, and exciting read. Suggested ages --10-12 years old