Dark Angel

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the burden of a difficult family secret or the complicated return of a family member from incarceration. It speaks to the heavy emotions of shame, divided loyalty, and the fear that a loved one's past might define one's own future. Seventeen year old Jeff is a talented soccer player whose world is upended when his older brother, Troy, is released from prison after serving time for murder. As Troy attempts to reintegrate, a local disappearance creates a suffocating atmosphere of suspicion and dread. This is a gritty, realistic thriller for older teens that explores whether people can truly change and how to find one's own integrity amidst family chaos. It is best suited for ages 14 and up due to its mature themes of crime, psychological tension, and the social consequences of a sibling's actions.