Book picks similar to
So What Do You Do? by Douglas Evans
young-adult
homelessness
juvenile-fiction
poverty
Journey Through the Underdark
Alston Sleet - 2020
He wanted only to run the family inn and enjoy his small corner of the world. His dreams weren't of adventure or power. His dreams were modest and humble.His dreams were not to be. As the bastard son of Lord EarthScorn, he had a Knack, which meant he would have to be trained as a wizard for the council. He would have to defend the kingdom from the evils of the outer world.Magic came with benefits; power, long life, money. But Eric didn't want any of that. His time in the magical academy only reinforced his views of magic and the kingdom. He didn't want to fight for old men who had lived far longer then they should. He didn't want to be relegated to a far-flung outpost where he would fight for the benefit of those same old men.The alternative was potentially worse, fleeing from the wars, fleeing from his home, and escaping through the most dangerous place in the kingdom.The Underdark.
Prelude
Madeleine L'Engle - 1968
As she learns how to accept the conflicts of her unorthodox home life and then her fellow students in a boarding school in Switzerland, we follow Katherine through all the torment, loneliness, and adorations and passions of a fifteen-year-old girl as she tries to realize her ambitions in the tumultuous world of the arts and make her own way to maturity.
Runner
Carl Deuker - 2005
From the award-winning author of "Night Hoops" and "Painting the Black" comes this suspenseful, psychologically astute novel with themes of terrorism and patriotism, fear and courage.
The Vine Basket
Josanne La Valley - 2013
She yearns to be in school, but she’s needed on the family farm. The longer she’s out of school, the more likely it is that she’ll be sent off to a Chinese factory . . . perhaps never to return. Her only hope is an American woman who buys one of her decorative vine baskets for a staggering sum and says she will return in three weeks for more. Mehrigul must brave terrible storms, torn-up hands from working the fields, and her father’s scorn to get the baskets done. The stakes are high, and time is passing. A powerful intergenerational story of a strong, creative young artist in a cruelly oppressive society.
Runaway
Wendelin Van Draanen - 2006
Holly is in her fifth foster home in two years and she's had enough. She's run away before and always been caught quickly. But she's older and wiser now--she's twelve--and this time she gets away clean. Through tough and tender and angry and funny journal entries, Holly spills out her story. We travel with her across the country--hopping trains, scamming food, sleeping in parks or homeless encampments. And we also travel with her across the gaping holes in her heart--as she finally comes to terms with her mother's addiction and death. Runaway is a remarkably uplifting portrait of a girl still young and stubborn and naive enough to hold out hope for finding a better place in the world, and within herself, to be.
Everlasting Nora
Marie Miranda Cruz - 2018
Along the way she also rediscovers the compassion of the human spirit, the resilience of her community, and everlasting hope in the most unexpected places.
You May Already Be a Winner
Ann Dee Ellis - 2017
Twelve-year-old Olivia Hales has a foolproof plan for winning a million dollars so that she and her little sister, Berkeley, can leave behind Sunny Pines Trailer Park.But first she has to: - Fix the swamp cooler and make dinner and put Berkeley to bed because her mom is too busy to do all that - Write another letter to her dad even though he hasn't written back yet - Teach Berk the important stuff, like how to make chalk drawings, because they can't afford day care and Olivia has to stay home from school to watch her - Petition her oddball neighbors for a circus spectacular, because there needs to be something to look forward to at dumb-bum Sunny Pines - Become a super-secret spy to impress her new friend Bart - Enter a minimum of fourteen sweepstakes a day. Who knows? She may already be a winner!Olivia has thought of everything . . . except herself. Who will take care of her when she needs it? Luckily, somewhere deep down between her small intestine and stomach is a tiny voice reminding her that sometimes people can surprise you--and sometimes your family is right next door.
Nightingale's Nest
Nikki Loftin - 2014
King, the wealthy owner of a chain of Texas dollar stores, when he hears a beautiful song that transfixes him. He follows the melody and finds, not a bird, but a young girl sitting in the branches of a tall sycamore tree. There’s something magical about this girl, Gayle, especially her soaring singing voice, and Little John’s friendship with Gayle quickly becomes the one bright spot in his life, for his home is dominated by sorrow over his sister’s death and his parents’ ever-tightening financial difficulties. But then Mr. King draws Little John into an impossible choice—forced to choose between his family’s survival and a betrayal of Gayle that puts her future in jeopardy. Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, Nightingale's Nest is an unforgettable novel about a boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders and a girl with the gift of healing in her voice.
Son of Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Scott Twisp(Book 7)
C.D. Payne - 2012
When he wasn’t burning down parts of Berkeley or springing girlfriends from homes for unwed mothers, he was dodging gendarmes in Paris. So what sort of parent would that most outrageous of teenagers make? In this new installment of the acclaimed Twisp saga, 40-something Nick faces the daily trials of dealing with his own teenage son. When a move to California threatens to disrupt young Scott Twisp’s life, he reacts in the true Twispian spirit. Follow this wannabe “wanton lothario” as he conspires to meet the challenges of girls, sex, work, parents, TV stardom, and more. Also returning to complicate matters are Sheeni, Trent, Apurva, Vijay, Jake, Veeva, Uma, and the rest of C.D. Payne’s huge and colorful cast. Enjoy all seven books in the monumental Twisp saga: over a half-million words of hilarious mayhem! Note: Each book in the Nick Twisp series is a self-contained novel that can be enjoyed on its own. Familiarity with the other titles is not required.
The King of Jam Sandwiches
Eric Walters - 2020
Highly recommended."--School Library Journal, starred reviewThirteen-year-old Robbie leads a double life. It's just Robbie and his dad, but no one knows that his dad isn't like most parents. Sometimes he wakes Robbie up in the middle of the night to talk about dying. Sometimes he just leaves without telling Robbie where he's going. Once when Robbie was younger, he was gone for more than a week. Robbie was terrified of being left alone but even more scared of telling anyone in case he was put into foster care. No one can know. Until one day when Robbie has to show the tough new girl, Harmony, around school. Their first meeting ends horribly and she punches Robbie in the face. But eventually they come to realize that they have a lot more in common than they thought. Can Robbie's new friend be trusted to keep his secret?
Saving Wonder
Mary Knight - 2016
Ever since Curley can remember, Papaw has been giving him a word each week to learn and live. Papaw says words are Curley's way out of the holler, even though Curley has no intention of ever leaving.When a new coal boss takes over the local mining company, life as Curley knows it is turned upside down. Suddenly, his best friend, Jules, is interested in the coal boss's son, and worse, the mining company threatens to destroy Curley and Papaw's mountain. Now Curley faces a difficult choice. Does he use his words to speak out against Big Coal and save his mountain, or does he remain silent and save his way of life?
The Sword of Ages
A.L. Issett - 2015
The Tavorians for their part, have wizards much stronger than those found in Ket, men and women who could flay the skin right off you with nothing but a few words. 16 y/o Tanner is among those recruited and right away it is found he possesses a unique gift. Join Tanner as he does his part to defeat the Tavorians and win the day for the people of Ket,
Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Boxed Set Two
Sarah Noffke - 2019
But fighting for justice is always worth it.
Continue the exciting adventure and magical intrigue of The Unstoppable Liv Beaufont with books 5 - 8 in this Urban Fantasy series today!
The Loyal Friend:
The truth would change everything.
But no one knows it.
Except for Liv Beaufont and those who have been hiding it for centuries.
Fueled to uncover the facts and restore the House of Seven to what it’s supposed to be, Liv starts searching for resources. However, the Council has different plans for her. They put her on a case that is sure to keep her busy…if not get her killed.
Werewolves are real. And they have their own secrets.
Liv ventures to the village where werewolves originated and learns who she can trust and who needs to be taken out. But doing so won’t be easy.
And just when Liv thinks she’s finally conquered evil, an old nemesis comes back to haunt her.
The Stubborn Advocate:
Some people won’t rest until they get to the bottom of things.
That’s Liv Beaufont.
And some want to kill her for her persistence.
To try and keep Liv from finding out the truth, Adler brings back an ancient evil that the Warriors exterminated long ago. Now, alone, Liv will have to battle monsters so dark, they frighten even the strongest magical creatures.
But she can’t be deterred from her quest for the truth.
While trying to take down evil beasts, Liv also works to uncover why mortals can’t see magic. Her journey takes her to the last place she wants to go: where her parents died.
What she finds, changes everything.
The Unrelenting Fighter:
When saving the world is your job, it’s impossible to get a day off.
Liv Beaufont wouldn’t want one anyway.
It’s a good thing because being Father Time’s only employee is demanding.
Liv can hardly believe she has to carry a chicken around while fighting villains. However, the chicken is supremely important. She just doesn’t know how. Or what the bird wants to eat…
And then there’s Sophia’s dragon egg.
Whoever stole it is going to pay big time when Liv gets ahold of them. In the meantime, Subner helps Liv to track down the elf who made Inexorabilis. Unlocking the memories Liv’s mother sealed into the sword is crucial.
What she finds is supposed to change everything.
Mortals have never been more at risk.
Adler Sinclair wants them gone, once and for all.
However, there’s a long list of things Liv Beaufont won’t allow to happen.
First, mortals can’t die. Secondly, the brainwashing has to stop. And thirdly, the person who killed her family is going to pay. Badly.
The stakes have never been higher.
Always (Trelawney Family #1)
Jessie Rose Case - 2018
NOTE TO READERS: If you love the work of Anna Hackett and Eve Langlais you will love this. This is a historical fiction fantasy Novel. A Native American Indian & American West young woman romance. Filled with brooding hot sex, strong dominant men and a sexy kick-ass female who knows how to hold her own. It’s gritty, confrontational and steam will be coming out of your ears. If you’re looking for something to get those juices flowing, you just found it. Enjoy! This novel is written mainly in British English, with Americanisms and slang from both languages. 1879. American west. It had been nearly 7 years since Elizabeth Trelawney, an only child was sent East to live with her Aunt. The last 2 years wearing greatly upon her. How many social engagements and meeting ‘suitable young men’ would she have to endure? None of it interested her. It didn’t feel real or right. It brought a sense of betrayal she didn't understand. She longed for the home she remembered. The life she left behind. Images would flood her dreams and her body would wake in anticipation and loss. It confused her and made her ache with need. No longer able to hold back her feelings, frustrated and determined, with a pull towards home that she did not understand. She starts out on the journey that would forge the rest of her life. Alone, having escaped the ever watchful eye of her aunt. She could do this. She had to. Red Wolf. Oldest son to the Chief of his tribe. Fell in love at the age of 13. His father bringing the whole tribe to pay tribute to the American whose land was part of theirs. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. So light, the sun dimmed in her presence. It called to him. Still a child with the promise of womanhood. He became a brother to her until her family had taken her from him and sent her East. To become the lady of her station. He mourned her loss and waited. The years passed and he refused to take a wife. Tribal responsibility laid heavily upon him. He would not betray his love of her. And still, he waited …. She would be back and soon he could feel it …. the time for waiting was over. He would remind her of where she belonged. Where her future was and then, he would take back what belonged to him and no one would stop him ......
Shade: The Exigency Chronicles : Book 3
Terry Schott - 2021