City of Saints and Thieves

For a teen novel this was very mature, fast paced, and dark. I loved it. There are gangs, rapes, violent militias, thieving, and murder mysteries wrapped up in this quick moving plot. Tiny has lived on the streets of Kenya since her mother was murdered several years prior. She placed her younger sister in a convent school and quickly learned how to survive in the underbelly of their corrupt city. She's a master pick pocketer, great at daring escapes, and impossible entries, she's one of the few girls in the gang who isn't forced to "work the street." Everything comes crashing to a halt though when the biggest breaking and entering job of her career goes wrong. While trying to get information of a hard drive she is caught by the owner's son and loose threads from her childhood and her mother's murder are brought to light. She must work with him if she wants to find the truth. The corruption and questions take them into the remote Congo and they've never been in more danger then they are now. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and gives a good background for many troubles facing Africa. A great read!

The Outsiders

I'm kind of a farce. I'm a teen librarian and I'd never read The Outsiders. It's downright shameful, I know. I sought to remedy that by listening to the audiobook version, which I thoroughly enjoyed! I instantly became engrossed in Ponyboy's narrative and took an instant liking to all the characters. The premise of the story centers on the Greasers, and not judging a book by it's cover. Ponyboy, Dairy, Soda, Two Bit, Dally, and Johnny are rough and tumble guys. They come from the wrong side of town, lack money and education, and are labeled by society as greasers. Together they make up a little gang of friends dead set on having a good time and taking down the soc's (socials - rich kids). One night things go to far and someone ends up dead. Ponyboy and Johnny have to decide what makes a man. Is it what society labels him or is it what's inside that counts?

A phenomenal coming of age story and perfect to help kids deal with bullying, gang violence, and reputations.