Recommended by Colleen, one of our adult reference librarians.

Check our other Fave Five lists, too!

Defining Dulcie

by Paul Acampora
When her mother decides to move to California after her father dies, 16-year old Dulcie steals her dads old truck and heads back home to Connecticut. There she spends the summer living and working with her grandfather Frank, a janitor at her school. She meets a new girl, Roxanne, also working for Frank. A quirky, uplifting book that explores the connections made in life and the resilience of the human spirit. (Also available in Audiobook format.)

Pieces of Georgia

by Jennifer Bryant
In free verse journal entries to her deceased mother, a gifted artist, 13-year old Georgia McCoy, reveals how her life changes after receiving an anonymous gift membership to a nearby art museum. A touching story conveying very real emotions and relationships as a broken family comes together.

Tending to Grace

by Kimberly Newton Fusco
After years of taking care of an emotionally unstable mother, Cornelia is turned upside-down when her mother suddenly takes off to Vegas with a boyfriend, leaving her with an eccentric great aunt in a backwoods cottage. Cornelia knows shes a bookworm but no one knows how smart she is, because she's ashamed of her stammering and barely speaks. A 2005 ALA Best Book for Young Adults filled with emotional upheaval, multigenerational connecting and a splash of humor.

Dairy Queen: A Novel

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Sixteen-year old D.J. spends her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school's rival football team. She decides to go out for the sport herself not anticipating the reactions of those around her. A fun and lovable heroine in a not your typical coming-of-age awards winning read. (Also available in Audiobook format.)

Criss Cross

by Lynne Rae Perkins
A humorous tender story about a group of childhood friends living in a small town during the Sixties. They experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities, connect and disconnect as they search for the meaning of life and love. Written in a unique format, using haikus, Q & As, and illustrations, this book was the 2006 Newberry Medal Winner. (Also available in Audiobook format.)