Dear Zoe, by Philip Beard (2005)
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Dear Zoe, is about a teenage girl named Tess who has to come to terms with her baby sister’s death while the rest of the world is in chaos because of the 9/11 attacks. This story will keep you in suspense, wondering what Tess will do in order to cope with the loss of Zoe. Tess meets a boy [who] seems to be bad news. Will she give in to pressure and join his risky behavior? Or is he not as bad as everyone thinks? Written in the form of a letter to Zoe, Tess opens her heart and we witness the pain, happiness and guilt that she feels in the months following the accident. —Caitlin

Departures by Lorna J. Cook (2004)
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Departures [is] an interesting story about a [large] family, the Vanderzee's. Suzen, the oldest of four children, is just finishing high school. It is time for her to decide her future but it’s not the one her parents had planned for her. Evan, the only boy, is just a few years younger than Suzen. Throughout the story, Evan develops, becoming more independent, smarter, and even growing sexually as he meets Soci…. Anyone who knows what it’s like dealing with life along with your family should read this. —Andriel

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (2001)
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This trilogy is about four teenage girls who have been best friends since they were kids. While all four have completely different personalities, stories, and lives, they are always there for each other and seem to share an unbreakable bond…. I recommend starting with the first book…. It touches on all sorts of feelings and events that adolescent girls have…. You feel as if Bridget, Carmen, Tibby, and Lena are your friends as well…. With four best friends and a fresh summer ahead, who knows what could happen!  —Sydney

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (2003)
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This book revolves around four girls: Tibby the funky-punk, Lena the beautiful artist, Carmen the Hispanic with attitude, and Bridget the blonde bombshell soccer player trying to find herself…. Any teenage girl…is guaranteed…to relate to at least one of its characters. Each of the girls struggle[s] through problems [ranging] from boys to dead mothers to uninvolved dads…. The only way to find out what happens is by reading this awesome book. So go read it…NOW!  —Erin

So B. It by Sarah Weeks (2004)
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So B. It is about a young girl named Sophia whose mother is somewhat mentally challenged. The mother … can only say a total of 15 words. One of these words was ‘soof.’ The entire book was focused on how the daughter was trying to find out what the word ‘soof’ meant and possibly a little more about herself and her mom…. The story is heart-wrenching, funny, calming and much more. You’re never left bored and the true meaning behind the word was completely unforeseen. —Emily

The Pact: A Love Story by Jody Picoult (1998)
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The Pact is a novel about a love story between two high-school students named Chris and Emily, who grew up together and were inseparable since birth. Sounds perfect, right? Everything was until Emily was found dead and Chris unconscious right next to her…. Was Emily’s death a suicide or did Chris kill her, and why would a relationship destined for marriage turn into a death? This novel is extremely suspenseful and just when you think you know what happened, you’re shocked to find out the truth. —Kat

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (1998)
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This novel is a real diary written by a girl who was about fifteen years old and fell into the hands of drugs. She writes about how her life was suddenly taken over by these drugs, and she wanted to quit, but it was impossible. At one point of the story, the author, who is anonymous, is so wrapped up in drugs that she know longer knows who she is or what day it is, and all she can think about is getting more drugs. You … get inside the head of a girl who is so messed up from drugs that nothing seems right. —Jess