Books for Young Teens

Heinrich glared at the soldier, pity draining from his heart. "You killed a good man," he said at last. The soldier looked at him uncomprehendingly. "Have mercy, sir. I'm so thirsty." "Is this what you want?" Heinrich asked, holding up his cider skin. The soldier's face lit up. "Aye. Bless you for it." Heinrich spat. "Not even a drop. Here's your mercy." He turned the skin upside-down and squeezed every last drop of...

I've been pushed around all my life, Aaron thought. Somebody is always telling me what to do, when to do it, and where to go. I'm sick of it. Lured by the promise of adventure, travel and a large bonus, Aaron Stauffer turned his back on his training and his mother's tears and enlisted to fight in the Civil War. His heart swelled with pride and patriotism as he shouldered his newly acquired musket and marched behind...

Life with his father and stepmother meant neglect and abuse, but at least Jose Adan had food and clothing. Life with his mother offered freedom and a sense of belonging, but he often went hungry and had no money for school. Jose Adan bounced back and forth between the two, his heart starved for the love and security that neither home could offer. This is the true story of a boy's quest for love and belonging-a...

As a boy, Jason Kauffman feared his father. As a man, he hated him. Jason thought this was normal. Fathers and sons do not get along, do they? Then why did it bother him when his own sons began to fear him? There was no way to break the cycle. Everything was his father's fault. His addictions. His anger. His bitterness. There was no way he could change until his father died, Jason thought. Then Jason discovered...

Like other German cities, Krauter became a blacked out vacuum at night. But tonight Hans felt it was especially quiet. Something must be wrong. Finally Hans arrived at Felderstrasse 21. "Maria" he hissed. No one answered. Heart pounding, Hans entered the house. Except for a few scattered possessions and a rumpled bed on the floor, the place was deserted. His wife and children were gone! Hans buried his face in his...