Identical/Ellen Hopkins/565 pages

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins, the daughters of a judge and a politician mom who is never at home. On the surface, they are the all-American family, but look a little closer and they have some deep issues. This book is disturbing, as most Ellen Hopkins books are, and I can't say I really enjoyed it, but the author tackles so many issues that teens face and does not sugarcoat anything. One of the twins is sexually abused by her father, while the other has tried to come terms with why Daddy didn't pick her. This book is twisted, the girls face almost every teen issue out there -- drug and alcohol abuse, cutting, eating disorders, casual sexual encounters -- with not much hope of anything getting resolve. Once again, Hopkins has written this novel in verse and the outcome is very powerful, yet disturbing. Only for mature teens.

Under the Mesquite / Guadalupe Garcia McCall 224 p.

Lupita, a Mexican-American teenage girl, takes on familial responsibilities when her mother gets cancer.  With seven siblings, Lupita balances high school classes, discovering her acting skills, and dealing with friends who don’t understand.  Mami is the anchor for this close-knit family and Papi works construction.  She finds refuge writing under the mesquite tree in the front yard.  Told in free verse, McCall takes inspiration from the difficult experiences of her own family.

2012 Notable Children's Book