ISSUE-DRIVEN TITLES

God Loves Hair
Vivek Shraya; Juliana Neufeld, illus.
(Arsenal Pulp Press)

Becoming Fierce: Teen Stories IRL
Allister Thompson, ed.
(Fierce Ink Press)

Moon at Nine
Deborah Ellis
(Pajama Press)

To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful
Shane Koyczan; various illus.
(Annick Press)

Being a teenager is hard enough, but adding gender issues, emerging sexuality, substance abuse, and bullying to the mix can render those years unbearable. In their own ways, each of these titles extends a helping hand to teens in need – of reassurance, understanding, empathy, and hope. The fact that they are all well written and interesting beyond those issues is a bonus.