Tweens and teens need stories about characters that go through similar challenges so they know they aren’t alone and that there is hope. While some fiction can help readers escape to an imaginary world, they can’t fully escape reality. It also might be easier to use books as an escape. 

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger deals with family, friendship, and divorce. No one has meant so much to Nola Sutton as the Swift brothers. She’d been friends with the boys her whole life and assumed their brother-sister-like friendship would never change. One day, however, the boys’ father leaves without saying goodbye. Nola’s friendship with the boys takes a downward spiral. The boys isolated themselves from everyone, including Nola.

If you’re familiar with the Wonder  novel and short stories by R.J. Palacio, you’ll understand what I mean when I say this book reminded...