That was Then, This is Now – S.E. Hinton  

Bryon and Mark have been as close as brothers for as long as they can remember. Now things are changing. Bryon's growing up, and thinking seriously about who he wants to be. Mark still just lives for the thrill of the moment. The two are growing apart - but holding on - until Bryon faces a terrible decision - one that will change both of their lives forever.

Rumble Fish – S.E. Hinton

Rusty-James is the number-one tough guy among the junior high kids who hang out and shoot pool at Benny's, and he enjoys keeping up his reputation. What he wants most of all is to be just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. But by his own admission, Rusty-James isn't a particularly smart person, and he relies more on his fists than his brains. Up until now he's gotten along all right because whenever he gets into something he can't handle, the Motorcycle Boy bails him out. But Rusty-James' lack of direction, his longing for the days of the street gangs and his blind drive to be like his brother eat away at his world until all come apart in an explosive chain of events. And this time the Motorcycle Boy isn't around to pick up the pieces.

Tex – S.E. Hinton

Easygoing, thoughtless, and direct, Tex at fifteen likes everyone and everything, especially his horse, Negrito, and Johnny Collins's blue-eyed sister, Jamie. He thinks life with his seventeen-year-old brother, Mason, in their ramshackle house would be just about perfect if only Mace would stop complaining about Pop. Pop hasn't been home in five months. Mace wants to get out of Oklahoma. Tex just seems to attract trouble and danger . . . Suddenly everything's falling apart.

Taming the Star Runner – S.E. Hinton

Travis is the epitome of cool, even when he's in trouble. But when he's sent to stay with his uncle on a ranch in the country, he finds that his schoolmates don't like his tough city ways.He does find friendship of a sort with Casey, who runs a riding school at the ranch. She's the bravest person Travis has ever met, and crazy enough to try to tame the Star Runner, her beautiful, dangerous horse who's always on edge, about to explode. It's clear to Travis that he and the Star Runner are two of a kind, creatures not meant to be tamed.

Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare

The play will propose a challenge to young adolescents, but can be taught. It is about a boy named Romeo and a girl named Juliet who fall in love. The love story is complicated, however, because the families of the two lovers hate each other. Romeo and Juliet are forbidden to see each other, but act on their love anyways. The tragic play shows what hate and rivalry can do to families.

The Chocolate War – Robert Cormier

Jerry Renault is pondering the question on the poster in his locker: Do I dare disturb the universe? Refusing to see chocolates in the annual Trinity School fund-raiser may not seem like a radical thing to do. But when Jerry challenges a secret school society call The Vigils, his defiant act turns into an all-out war. Now the only question is: Who will survive?

Monster – Walter Dean Myers

Steve Harmon is a black sixteen year old boy who is on trial for murder. The book takes the reader inside the boy’s head as he tries desperately to remember whether or not he is guilty for murder. The reader experiences all of the thoughts and emotions the boy does.