Skinhead Birdy

Two troubled teens find salvation in each other as they struggle with personal problems in this hard-hitting entry to the Gravel Road series, written at a third-grade reading level. Sophomore Tyler Ruiz is the new guy at Banks High School, having been kicked out of his previous school for retaliating against a teacher. Life at home has been strained since his mother died; his abusive father, an Afghanistan veteran, battles PTSD and alcoholism. Journal writing serves as a release for Tyler until he falls hard for Sara, the beguiling punk skinhead from school. But Tyler soon realizes that Sara’s late-night adventures and mood swings are not just quirky personality traits, but by-products of mental illness. Jacobs paints a realistic portrait of Sara’s manic behavior and demonstrates how concern and attention from others strengthens Tyler’s own ability to cope. Ages 14–up. (Sept.)