Young adult literature about teens and trauma provides a window into mental illness and the toll it takes on young people. Stories of teens who are dealing with depression, anger, or the wish to die can be difficult to read, but they are important. They give voice to a particular kind of suffering, and they help us develop a deeper understanding of emotional pain. Just as important, they show us how people survive that pain and begin the process of healing. Tune in to hear about six new novels that focus on teens, trauma, and mental illness.

Kristin Cashore is one of those rare authors whose books are deep and beautiful, and whose work helps readers gain perspective on their own lives. Tune in to hear about Kristin's process of writing Bitterblue, how music helps her with writing, and how she copes when writing gets hard.

A growing number of young adult authors are using fairy tales as seeds for their stories. Tune in to hear about an assortment of the newest fairy tale retellings: books that include middle grade humor, satire, coming of age stories, and graphic novels.

In this episode, you'll hear about books in a range of genres that give teens insight into the social and political conditions young people face around the globe. Together they offer a sustained look at war, poverty, and the struggle for human rights, but they also speak volumes about ordinary people and their capacity for hope and resilience.

Tune in to hear about an array of nonfiction books on teen sexuality – some about the mechanics of sex, some about the media and body image, some written by teens themselves. You'll hear about books for older as well as younger readers, boys as well as girls, gay teens as well as those who are straight or questioning.

When it comes to motivating and inspiring teens to read, teen librarians have a lot to teach us. You'll hear about the approaches two teen librarians take to their work with teen readers, ways they go about sharing and promoting new titles, plus a short list of their favorite books for teens.

All readers want to see themselves reflected in the pages of books. Works of Latino literature for teens focus on the experiences of young people from Spanish-speaking countries and cultures. In honor of El Día de los Niños, tune in to hear about a variety of books that celebrate the Latino cultural experience in literature.

While all YA authors focus in some way on the process of young people coming of age, very few do so with the depth and versatility you will find in the novels of Patricia McCormick. Tune in to hear the story behind her latest novel, Never Fall Down, the harrowing and heartbreaking account of Khmer Rouge survivor Arn Chorn-Pond.

Books featuring teens as change agents call attention to young people who are lobbying for change in their schools, communities, and the larger world. Tune in to hear about teens who work for change by participating in political campaigns, defying social hierarchies, and even going to war.

Tune in to hear E. Lockhart talk about creating girl characters who try to ignite social change and challenge social hierarchies, the approach she takes to the writing process, and her thoughts on reader response to her books.

Tune in to hear about works of sports fiction and nonfiction that explore issues of identity and belonging, courage and equal rights, and changes over time in American history and culture.

With publishers releasing new books twice a year, in the spring and the fall, summer is the perfect time to take stock of great new books for teens. Tune in to hear about books that will meet the needs of all kinds of teen readers including works of fantasy and suspense, biography and historical fiction, politics and romance.

In this episode, you'll hear about an assortment of old and new titles featuring teens who live on the margins of middle class society - teens whose lives too often go unseen.