International Youth Day: 5 Books About Real Life
International Youth Day: 5 Books About Real Life
First observed in 2000, International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations to draw attention to the issues–both societal and legal–that specifically impact the world’s younger peopl e. Those of us that are slightly less youthful now might still remember what it was like to be a teen. I, for one, would never go back. Everything teenagers experience is either the best thing ever, or the worst thing ever. There is no in between. With such volatile emotions, it’s hard to comprehend that teens also go to school, participate in sports and clubs, have jobs, and navigate an increasingly complicated social ecosystem.
Here are five of my picks, both new and old, that tell stories about genuine teenage experiences.
1. Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman (288 pages)
Nick Nelson, a Year 11 student, is living his dream on the school rugby team. When someone mentions Charlie Spring, he remembers when Charlie was outed and relentlessly bullied the previous year. A Year 10 student, Charlie isn’t being openly bullied anymore, but still isn’t having a great time. When Nick and Charlie unexpectedly start talking, they instantly become friends and something starts to bloom between them, though neither wants to admit it. Their precious story leaves us waiting to see what happy things are to come for both Nick and Charlie.
Image from Goodreads.com
Why You Should Read It
This graphic novel, and the rest in the series, is just genuinely sweet and uplifting. That’s not something you might be used to with all of the angst that typically comes with YA fiction. The art is evocative of the emotions the characters feel and is really soft on the eyes. Both characters are often oscillating between euphoria and debilitating anxiety, something everyone can relate to–even if your teen experiences were different. The series was recently adapted into a Netflix show that’s wildly popular. If you’re looking for a warm series to dive into, this is a great choice.
4/5 Brookie Stars
2. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini (444 pages)
Ambitious isn’t quite the right word to describe Craig Gilner–he’s more obsessive than that. After working incredibly hard to earn a spot at the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School in Manhattan, the pressure on him only intensifies. Craig is barely eating or sleeping, and when the pressure becomes too much to take, he attempts suicide. Thankfully, he survives, and checks into a mental hospital. There, he meets a motley group of peers who all have their own demons. Though this isn’t where he thought he’d find himself, Craig is on his way to a different kind of success.
Image from Goodreads.com
Why You Should Read It
Vizzini has crafted an incredibly moving tale with this one. It’s hard to put down as you become so invested in Craig’s well-being. While the story might seem like a simple “rock bottom to summit story,” Vizzini works in so many issues that teens deal with, many of which have only become more exacerbated since the book’s debut in 2007. Craig’s supporting cast is well-developed and Vizzini’s own stay in a mental hospital helps make the setting more genuine. This book isn’t uplifting in the conventional way, but it shows the grit and tenacity young people have in the face of the darkest of challenges.
I would also like to acknowledge that Ned Vizzini took his own life in 2013. He wrote novels and essays that would be adapted into graphic novels and movies, all of which continue to bring joy to readers and viewers.
4/5 Brookie Stars
3. The Truth About White Lies by Olivia A. Cole (384 pages)
Shania never really considered her whiteness–a privilege most white people enjoy. When her grandmother dies, she moves to Blue Rock, a town that’s quickly becoming gentrified, and enrolls at Bard, the city’s most affluent private school. She’s taken underwing by Catherine, the most popular girl in school, and begins to learn more about what makes Bard tick. Shania is intrigued by Prescott, but also confused about the rumors swirling about his altercation with a black student who mysteriously left the school. As Shania learns more about her peers, she also begins to uncover the secrets of her own family’s history, which has deep roots in Blue Rock. And when those secrets are revealed, Shania has to face the truth.
Image from Goodreads.com
Why You Should Read It
While there are many YA novels that deal with issues of race, few of them are from a white teen’s point of view. And while we have plenty of stories about white teens, I found Shania’s naive, and frankly sometimes ignorant, perspective to be one worth exploring. Readers begin to see how, given someone’s upbringing, some people really are blind (willfully or not) to the racism that exists all around them. While Shania isn’t necessarily a likeable character, I think that fact actually amplifies the message.
4/5 Brookie Stars
4. The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra (480 pages)
Bryn used to be Foxham Prep’s queen bee, but the rumors that her friend Cora spread about her completely shook up the school’s social hierarchy. Hoping the summer has wiped, or at least dulled, those memories from her peers’ minds, Bryn is looking to work her way back up. And when a new girl, Georgie, arrives, she becomes the next victim of Foxham’s rumor rip current. With perspectives from Bryn, Cora, and Georgie, it’s hard to tell the truth from what each girl just wants you to believe. The heartbreak, drama, and tension of teen dramas like Gossip Girl and The O.C. are here in full force.
Image via Goodreads
Why You Should Read It
The story is told from multiple perspectives, often leaving the reader to decide whose version they believe. And with those myriad perspectives come many of the issues that teens deal with across the country: bullying, body image, and the pressures to be the “perfect” child to their parents. These characters, varying in degrees of insecurity and ruthlessness, will keep you on the tip of your toes as they participate in the social dance most of us know too well.
4/5 Brookie Stars
5. If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber (392 pages)
Harry dreams of making it big by writing screenplays in Hollywood. To prepare, he’s working on his submission to a screenwriting contest that would propel him into USC’s film school after graduation. In order to write the perfect screenplay, Harry has sworn off all distractions this summer. After last year’s heartbreak, he’s not keen on keeping up with his social life anyway. When Grant the heartbreaker returns with a scandalous secret, Harry is blown off course. And Logan, the new boy in town, is certainly not helping with Harry’s concentration. With his perfect plan for the summer clouded by more than one boy, Harry fights to keep his future in his sights.
Image via Goodreads
Why You Should Read It
This story is an excellent encapsulation of what it’s like to be a teenager. With every turn of the season and each beginning of summer, many teens try to “start over” and overhaul their personas. While Harry isn’t necessarily starting something new, he’s trying to leave behind his complicated and flirtatious relationships. But, like most plans, this one goes awry. The story is very summery and lighter than many of my other picks here.
3/5 Brookie Stars
Real Life with Teenagers
As a high school teacher, I spend more time with teenagers than I do with adults. I’ve learned more from my day-to-day interactions than I ever did in any of my undergraduate or graduate adolescent psychology classes. Not only do teens deal with their own set of stressors that are specific to their age group, but, with the ubiquity of the internet and social media, they’re more tapped into current events than ever before. Through all the drama and doom scrolling, however, teens are still overwhelmingly resilient and kinder, I find, than many of their elders. I genuinely look forward to seeing how the world changes and improves as these youths mature into a leadership generation.
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Rachel Gomes is a 30-something high school English teacher who lives with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their son. Rachel is a voracious reader who loves to learn and has her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. She’s happiest listening to podcasts and talking to friends about the latest news in nerd culture.
Favourite book: Don’t make me choose between A Song of Ice and Fire and Harry Potter
Favourite brunch spot: The Farmer’s Table
