If you've lived your whole life in the shadow of skyscrapers, it might be hard to imagine what it's like to live in rural America. But even though the scenery is different, high school is much the same: classes, friends, dates and plenty of drama. Check out these stories about teens who've grown up far from the city lights, struggling to find themselves as they start the next chapter of their lives.
The 2017 winner of the William C. Morris Award for outstanding YA debut novel, The Serpent King tells the story of three friends on the brink of graduation: Lydia, an up-and-coming fashion blogger; Dill, an aspiring musician whose family name bears a troubled legacy; and Travis, whose love for fantasy novels doesn't impress his abusive father. But escaping from their Tennessee hometown won't be so easy when leaving doesn't come cheap, and not all of them have the means to pursue their dreams.
The Serpent King is available in other formats.
In The Last Boy and Girl in the World, Keeley has always had a crush on class clown Jesse, but she's never done anything about it... until the government announces that their small town will soon be permanently flooded and all residents must evacuate. As their final days in Aberdeen draw to a close, all bets are off. Will Keeley finally find love amid the wild parties, escalating pranks and political demonstrations before the storm drowns the only place she's ever called home?
The Last Boy and Girl in the World is available in other formats.
What's your favorite story about small town life?
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