NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The true story of an all-American girl, a boy from Zimbabwe, and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. It started as an assignment. Caitlin had never even heard of Zimbabwe when everyone in her class was told to write a letter to an unknown student in a distant place. Excited for the first time about homework, she went home that night and wrote about her favorite color and what sports she played, and asked her mystery pen-pal about life in Zimbabwe. Martin had never heard of Pennsylvania when he read Caitlin’s letter. He was lucky to even receive a pen-pal letter—his class only received ten letters for fifty kids! But as the top student, he got the first one. He wrote Caitlin back, talking about his siblings and soccer and saying he hoped she wrote again. These letters were the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives. In this compelling dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends—and better people—through their inspiring long-distance exchange.Praise for I Will Always Write Back "An inspiring story that will change your life, too." ―Patricia McCormick, author of the National Book Award finalist Sold "A little miracle of unexpected genuineness." ―New York Times Book Review "Moving and uplifting." ―Award-winning author and journalist Peter Godwin Read more

Every Falling Star, the first book to portray contemporary North Korea to a young audience, is the intense memoir of a North Korean boy named Sungju, who is forced at age 12 to live on the streets and fend for himself. To survive, Sungju creates a gang and lives by thieving, fighting, begging, and stealing rides on cargo trains. Sungju richly recreates his scabrous story, depicting what it was like for a boy alone to create a new family with his gang, his "brothers"; to be hungry and to fear arrest, imprisonment, and even execution. This riveting memoir allows young listeners to learn about other cultures where freedoms they take for granted do not exist. Read more

At the age of fourteen, Francisco Jimenez, together with his older brother Roberto and his mother, are caught by la migra. Forced to leave their home, the entire family travels all night for twenty hours by bus, arriving at the U.S. and Mexican border in Nogales, Arizona. In the months and years that follow, Francisco, his mother and father, and his seven brothers and sister not only struggle to keep their family together, but also face crushing poverty, long hours of labor, and blatant prejudice. How they sustain their hope, their goodheartedness, and tenacity is revealed in this moving sequel to The Circuit. Without bitterness or sentimentality, Francisco Jimenez finishes telling the story of his youth. Read more

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A Finalist for the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award. Rex Ogle’s companion to Free Lunch and Punching Bag weaves humor, heartbreak, and hope into life-affirming poems that honor his grandmother’s legacy.In his award-winning memoir Free Lunch, Rex Ogle’s abuela features as a source of love and support. In this companion-in-verse, Rex captures and celebrates the powerful presence a woman he could always count on―to give him warm hugs and ear kisses, to teach him precious words in Spanish, to bring him to the library where he could take out as many books as he wanted, and to offer safety when darkness closed in. Throughout a coming of age marked by violence and dysfunction, Abuela’s red-brick house in Abilene, Texas, offered Rex the possibility of home, and Abuela herself the possibility for a better life.Abuela, Don’t Forget Me is a lyrical portrait of the transformative and towering woman who believed in Rex even when he didn’t yet know how to believe in himself. Read more

The companion to Rex Ogle’s award-winning Free Lunch is a searing account of adolescence in a household torn by domestic violence. Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical relationship with his passionate, fierce mother; and charts the trajectory of his stepdad’s anger. Hovering over Rex’s story is the talismanic presence of his unborn baby sister.Through it all, Rex threads moments of grace and humor that act as beacons of light in the darkness. Thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told, Punching Bag is a remarkable memoir about one teenager’s cycle of violence, blame, and attempts to forgive his parents - and himself. Read more

From the perspective of the young adult he was then, Francisco Jiménez describes the challenges he faced in his efforts to continue his education. During his college years, the very family solidarity that allowed Francisco to survive as a child is tested. Not only must he leave his family behind when he goes to Santa Clara University, but while Francisco is there, his father abandons the family and returns to Mexico.This is the story of how Francisco coped with poverty, with his guilt over leaving his family financially strapped, with his self-doubt about succeeding academically, and with separation. Once again his telling is honest, true, and inspiring. Read more

An Amazon Best Book of the YearA Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the YearThe Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of the YearA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the YearThis final, essential chapter in Rex Ogle’s memoir trilogy recounts being forced from his home and living on the streets after his father discovered he was gay."An emotionally resonant denouement; Ogle gives readers his hardest and most hopeful book yet."―School Library Journal, starred reviewWhen Rex was outed the summer after he graduated high school, his father gave him a choice: he could stay at home, find a girlfriend, and attend church twice a week, or he could be gay―and leave. Rex left, driving toward the only other gay man he knew and a toxic relationship that would ultimately leave him homeless and desperate on the streets of New Orleans.Here, Rex tells the story of his coming out and his father’s rejection of his identity, navigating abuse and survival on the streets. Road Home is a devastating and incandescent reflection on Rex’s hunger―for food, for love, and for a place to call home―completing the trilogy of memoirs that began with the award-winning Free Lunch. Read more

Max never thought the world could be this cruel. Or this lonely. After escaping a life of abuse, he and his dog, Skip, are forced to live on the run, hunted by a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to find them. The streets are dark, the air heavy, and survival feels like a fleeting dream.But even in the shadows, there’s a flicker of hope. An old woman named Marla offers them shelter, and a mysterious haven called Haven House promises safety. But trust comes at a price, and Max must face the scars of his past while running from the man who once controlled his life.As Max struggles to piece himself together, Skip remains his constant companion—a loyal guardian who never lets him go. Together, they fight to survive, to heal, and to find a place where they truly belong.A raw, emotional journey of survival, love, and the search for belonging, Skip explores the darkness of the world and the light that can still be found, even in the hardest of times. Read more

Is there a secret known only to the world's wealthiest investors, a hidden knowledge that could transform your teen into a future millionaire?What if you could uncover these guarded insights and provide your teen with the keys to financial success before they even reach adulthood?Becoming wealthy isn't about overnight success or endless work hours—it's about making your money work hard so you don't have to. Consider this: your energy and time are limited, so to maximize your earnings, let your money do the heavy lifting.While many adults miss these life-changing lessons and remain bound to the 9-5 grind, teens possess the unique ability to think differently. Gift your child an open mind and clear financial direction, offering them a powerful toolkit that will last a lifetime—an invaluable balance between guidance and the freedom to make things happen independently."TeenWise: Teen Investing for Future Millionaires" is for every parent eager to empower their teen with savvy financial moves. It's about granting them the freedom to shape their lives in a way few can imagine.Inside TeenWise: Unlocking Financial Mastery for Teen Millionaires, explore:Fundamentals of money management: Groundwork for responsible financial practices.Cultivating a financial mindset: Instill the mentality essential for financial success.The world of investing: Navigate the intricacies of investment opportunities.How the stock market works: Decode the workings of this financial powerhouse.Real estate investment: Discover the potential of property as a lucrative investment.Creating passive income: Master the art of earning money while you sleep.Diverse investment avenues: Explore various strategies to diversify and grow wealth.Investing in lifelong learning and personal growth. Read more

You can move past toxic stress, let go of fear and anger, and build resilience! This workbook will show you how. Do you often feel sad, anxious, angry, or upset and don’t really know why? Do you no longer enjoy the things you used to enjoy, or feel like the world is a bad place? If you’ve experienced extreme stress or trauma—such as abuse, neglect, a family member's illness, or living through a natural disaster—you may need help healing and moving forward in your life. It’s important to know that you are not alone, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Most importantly, there are ways to feel better.Written by an expert in teen mental health, this healing workbook offers powerful skills to help you overcome the effects of toxic stress, trauma, and adversity using mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and emotion regulation. You’ll learn all about how your mind and body respond to stress, how to identify triggers, and how to ground and calm yourself in the moment when your emotions feel too big to handle.If you’re struggling with the effects of stress or trauma, you should know that you can move forward in your life with confidence, self-compassion, and resilience. This workbook will help you, every step of the way. Read more

The poignant and inspiring true story of three young Kenyans who fought to transform their slum and improve the lives of those around them.Korogocho is one of Kenya’s darkest slums, plagued by gang violence, food and water shortages, and rampant pollution. Most children have no future except for scavenging through trash piles or resorting to lives of crime. One day, a boy named Daniel Onyango decided to do more, creating a band called the Hope Raisers to inspire the kids of Korogocho. His friend, Mutura Kuria, quickly joined in.In The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community, Nihar Suthar tells the amazing story of how Daniel and Mutura turned the band into a platform for change. They started teaching children on the streets how to express themselves through art and established a skating team after finding a pair of rollerblades in the dump. Suthar closely follows the story of one rebellious girl, Lucy Achieng, who refused to get married off at a young age and instead used competitive rollerblading to reach for her dreams. Lucy continues to inspire girls to stand up for themselves and challenge the longstanding practices in Korogocho of early marriage and prostitution.The Hope Raisers is an eye-opening look into a world of poverty and violence where children receive only a basic education and are left with little to no means to get out. Yet it also reveals the remarkable impact that a few determined individuals can have on their community, even in the most challenging of conditions.Part of the proceeds from all book sales will be donated to the Hope Raisers and toward improving the slum of Korogocho. Read more

She’s turned over a new leaf, but will she be able to grow?Things have changed for Randi Lewis—for the better. New home, new friends, new social status.A whole new life.But even after turning over a new leaf, Randi finds that life is still full of challenges and stress that threaten to bring back her old self—the Ugly Me that almost destroyed her.Because even though things are better now, she finds that sometimes it’s easier to fall back into an old comfort zone than it is to do what is necessary to grow—even if that comfort zone is a bad one.But what Randi doesn’t know is that she’s about to face the most difficult challenge of her new life—one that threatens not only her, but the peace and safety of her entire school.Will Randi be able to step outside of her comfort zone to confront these new trials, or will she revert back to the ways of her old self-destructive Ugly Me? Read more

From Award Winning, Critically Acclaimed Author Katie McGarry comes the Next Generation of Pushing the Limits characters.Her life has been shattered. His life was never whole. Can one summer change everything?After a violent carjacking left her bleeding in the street, Macie Hutchins fears she’ll never be the same. She’s not the girl she once was—even if she puts up a good front.Head down, she tries to survive the sweltering summer—and group therapy sessions—with secrets intact and scars hidden. Both those on the outside and inside.But Relic Aslanov has always been trouble. Complicated trouble. Dangerous trouble. And his presence in therapy is making Macie’s plan to lie low and cope on her own trickier than her life has already become.She can’t seem to hide from him, though. And he can’t seem to stay away from her—even when the long-standing rivalry between their families should keep them apart.But as the summer simmers on, so do the looks, the touches—and the kisses that were never supposed to happen.As things heat up between Macie and Relic, her white-picket-fence world collides with his wrong-side-of-the-tracks hell, and the truth about the carjacking bubbles to the surface.When the dust settles and the truth is revealed, will the risk they took be worth it? Or have their pasts already doomed their future?Page-turning and emotional, Risking It All is perfect for readers looking for:Contemporary teen romance booksSteamy kissesFriends who become familyA thrilling journeyPushing the Limits and Nowhere But Here fansFans of the characters Echo Emerson and Noah Hutchins from Pushing the Limits Read more

— Archie —I was born into an easy life, and I like it that way.Easy money.Easy sex.Easy … every-damn-thing.But that luxury came with a price, and it’s almost time to pay it.It’s senior year, my last one of freedom before I inherit the family empire and watch my dad gleefully sail into retirement on the tails of his sixth—seventh?—divorce from my mother.I’m the golden boy of Arlean University, the first-line running back with so many touchdowns they call me Bring-It-Home Blakely. Men want to be me. Women want to be beneath me.I do what I want. When I want. To whomever I want.I am revered. Adored. Utterly untouchable.Or so I thought.A red-headed transfer student with a know-it-all complex and Satan’s temper threatens to ruin my birthright.She saw something she shouldn’t have and stuck her nose where it didn’t belong.Then, she smiled at me when my father introduced her as his fiancé.Game on, future Mrs. Blakely.— Layne —I have fought for everything I’ve ever had.Food, shelter, safety, life.Twenty-one years ago, I was born in the wrong place at the wrong time to the wrong woman.I learned to survive on my own and to do whatever it takes—beg, borrow, and steal—to stay alive.Every night for as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of vengeance, and no one, especially the god of my new college, will stand in my way.I don’t believe in gods anyway.I don’t believe in forgiveness either.I believe in blood for blood and pain for pain, and I will make it rain down from my hands in a thunderstorm.I’ll destroy anyone who stands between me and what’s mine, and I won’t shed a tear while I do.There is no quid pro quo in my world. It’s take it or leave it, all or nothing.Get out of my way, golden boy, or I'll tarnish your gilded armor black before this is over.Author's Note: Brutal Hearts is a dark enemies-to-lovers, college romance. It features mature themes including an explosive heat level, bullying, and, like my other novels, struggles with mental illness. Please read the content/trigger warnings carefully before reading, available either through the Look-Inside feature or on my website (linked on my Amazon author page). Read more

As I slowly moved into a healthier mindset as a young adult, I began to learn that the best way to connect with people struggling with the same challenges was to open up, to tell my story and to expose my past—even if it meant showing some vulnerability and weakness. This process allowed me to gain trust in others, as others also started trusting me. Trust is an essential component of the healing process. When you trust the right people, those that lookout for your well-being, you are no longer alone in the universe.I have found that telling my story on stage comes at a cost of feeling weak, vulnerable, criticized, ridiculed and exposed but the outcome of inspiring others, creating a healing process, and building human connection is worth the sacrifice. Hurt people, hurt people and healed people, heal people. You never know, telling ones stories may even change the world by inspiring others to start the individual and collective healing process.The work of supporting the lives of young people who experience struggle has allowed me to go from sleepless nights to more fruitful days. This is what I have dedicated my professional career to. To paraphrase the writer, David Viscott, the purpose of life is to discover your gift and the meaning of life is to give it away. I am living my purpose—to leverage resources for young people growing up far-from-opportunity—and I hope this book helps readers get one step closer to finding and sharing their own gifts. Read more

While still a little boy, Alton Carter walked away from his violent, drug- and alcohol-riddled childhood home believing the worst life had to offer was behind him. He was sorely mistaken. After surviving a troubled foster care system and becoming the first in his family to graduate from high school -- with a college scholarship in hand no less, he found himself at age eighteen, as so many young people do on the cusp of life: scared, lonely, and all on his own. This is the story of how he aged out of the foster care system only to have his college dreams shattered, and how he found the courage to face his past and dare to take the steps to the life and family he always dreamed he would one day have. Read more

Your Teen or Young Adult's Future Is at Risk: Equip Them with Essential Life Skills and Prepare Them for Real-World Challenges Before It's Too Late!Parents and educators, are you concerned that the young people in your life are not truly ready for independence?Do you worry they aren’t equipped with the basic life skills they need for a successful transition into adulthood?Are you a teenager on the brink of entering the real world and stressing that you never gained the necessary tools in school to avoid costly mistakes in the future?As a young adult, are you constantly juggling finances, responsibilities, your career, and relationships, feeling like there just isn't enough time to tackle everything effectively?You’re not alone—most young adults step into the real world without the proper skills they need to survive. Whether you’re a teen about to graduate, a young adult looking for direction, or a parent or teacher eager to educate the next generation, this is the solution you’ve been searching for.The Ultimate Adulting Life Skills Handbook for Teens and Young Adults is a roadmap for success, loaded with real-world examples, simple step-by-step strategies, and over 150 interactive exercises. This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide equips you with the real-world skills needed to enter adulthood prepared, confident, and ready to thrive!Inside, you'll discover:✅ Health & Wellness Essentials – Learn how to manage stress, recognize mental health warning signs, and build lifelong habits for physical and emotional well-being.✅ The Power of Time – Master time management techniques to juggle school, work, and personal life while boosting productivity and avoiding burnout.✅ Money Skills for Life – Take control of your finances with budgeting, saving, credit management, and smart investing strategies to secure your financial future.✅ Launch Your Career – Build an attention-grabbing resume, ace job interviews, and explore career paths that align with your passions and strengths.✅ Renting Your First Place – Find the perfect fit, navigate leases, furnish affordably, and navigate household budgeting with roommates.✅ Food Made Simple – Cook quick, affordable, and nutritious meals that fuel your body and keep you energized without spending hours in the kitchen.✅ Keeping It Clean and Maintained – Maintain an organized, clutter-free living space with easy-to-follow cleaning and home maintenance hacks.✅ Smart Car Care & Road Safety Essentials – Learn essential car maintenance skills to prevent costly repairs, change a flat tire, and stay safe on the road.✅ Prepared and Protected – Safeguard your personal and financial information, learn first aid basics, and prepare for emergencies with confidence.✅ The Art of Communication – Develop strong communication skills to express yourself clearly and confidently in personal, academic, and professional settings.✅ Social Skills, Conflict Resolution & Etiquette – Build emotional intelligence, handle conflicts with grace, and master the rules of social and professional etiquette.✅ Healthy Connections & Relationships – Strengthen relationships, set healthy boundaries, and develop deep, meaningful connections in both personal and professional life.Some may think a book can't teach complex life skills or tailor advice to individual needs, but this handbook has exactly what it takes to transform shortcomings and doubts into practical knowledge and confidence.Adulthood doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Give yourself—or the young person in your life—the tools to flourish! Scroll up and click "Add to Cart" to start building a triumphant and fulfilling future today! Read more

"I grab my clean clothes from the back seat and walk across the parking lot to the men's restroom. It's filthy, and the floor is wet. But I'm used to it now because we've been living here for almost two months." These are the words of Doyle Kemp, a struggling tenth grader who lives in a car with his mom. He feels hopeless, alone, and afraid. Follow him in his quest to succeed in school and build a better life for himself.At Finding Forward Books, we publish easy-to-read novels about real issues faced by teens. They have realistic stories about teens overcoming challenges in their lives. Our goal is for students to improve their reading skills, develop positive attitudes, and increase their success in school.The books are for all students, including English learners and students with disabilities. They are printed in Open Dyslexic, a font to accommodate persons with dyslexia. They have been praised in Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly BookLife Reviews, Foreword Clarion Reviews, and BlueInk Reviews. Read more

I am a self-published activist author who has experienced chronic homelessness and authored three books, to create awareness about homelessness, and let the world know that homeless people lives matter. I have shared so many of my personal stories about my experience with homelessness in my previous books.When I sell my books outside on the street corner, 99% of the thousands of adults who walk by me all day long only say “No, thank you,” when I ask them to support my books, so that I can afford to keep a roof over my head. But kids and young folks tend to show more curiosity, interest, and empathy. They walk to me and ask what my books are about. Or they stop their parents and tell them” I want a book”. Unless they are fed with stereotypes about homeless people by society, kids and younger people are genuinely not insensitive to homelessness. They care but do not fully understand the complexity of the homelessness issue, maybe because they and their parents never experienced it.I came up with the idea of writing this book, Homeless People Are Human Beings Too, so that young kids, teenagers, young adults, and their parents can enjoy reading it, and not be too concerned, about their kids being disturbed by some of the traumatic stories, that I shared in my previous books.My purpose in this book, is to instill empathy and compassion for the homeless in the hearts and minds of young people, so that they can be the future generations who will come up with the solution to end homelessness and eradicate it from future human civilizations. Read more