Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind is the story of the title character, the young daughter of Pakistani camel breeders living in the Cholistan desert. Shabanu, only twelve years old, must cope with arranged marriage, the ambitions of a greedy land baron, and the pressures of her family's harsh life in the desert. When she is betrothed to an older man against her will she faces a decision: flee, or be loyal to her family. In the end she chooses her family and marries.
Thirteen Reasons Why is a Young Adult novel that tells the story of Clay Jensen, a high school student who returns one day to find a box of cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate who killed herself earlier that year. As he listens to the tapes, Clay realizes that they are Hannah's suicide note, recounting thirteen experiences that led her to become suicidal. As Clay listens he is overcome with the realization of how our actions affect those around us, and how important it is to reach out to those who may be struggling.
Zlateh the Goat is the story of the title character, an aging nanny goat, and her owner's son, Aaron. The two live in Poland in a Jewish village where Aaron's father is a furrier. With winter approaching, the father decides to sell Zlateh to a butcher to purchase food stores for his family. Zlateh and Aaron become lost in a blizzard on their way into town and Aaron survives by drinking Zlateh's milk, prompting the family to keep the goat.
Flight is the story of Zits, a Native American teenager who slides into a life of crime before experiencing a series of visions taking him back through history. He sees much of the history of anti-Native American oppression and discrimination, placing his life in a more understandable context as he witnesses events like Custer's Last Stand. Eventually he returns to his own time and his own body and is moved to attempt reconciliation with his estranged father.
The Absolutely True Diary of A Part Time Indian is a young adult novel told from the perspective of Native American teenager Arnold Spirit Jr., known as Junior, who is an aspiring cartoonist. Though born and raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation, Junior begins attending an all-white public school on the recommendation of one of his teachers. The novel chronicles Junior's attempts to not only fit in at his new school but also face traditional challenges of adolescence in this poignant and darkly humorous story.