Burned

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the crushing weight of a restrictive or abusive home environment, particularly one where religion is used as a tool for control. It speaks to the teen who feels they are losing their voice and their sense of self under the pressure of family expectations and trauma. Burned explores the life of Pattyn Von Stratten, a young woman who questions her faith and her worth while navigating physical and emotional abuse from her father. This novel in verse provides a raw, unflinching look at the complexities of love, shame, and the search for independence. Due to its intense themes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and religious trauma, it is best suited for older teens (14 and up) who are mature enough to process heavy realistic fiction. Parents might choose this as a bridge to deep conversations about healthy boundaries, the cycle of abuse, and the resilience required to reclaim one's identity after it has been fractured by those meant to protect them.