Divergent

Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the pressure to fit into a specific social group or feels like they do not belong in the boxes society has built for them. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like a complex individual in a world that demands simple labels and for those navigating the painful transition of establishing an identity separate from their family's expectations. Set in a future Chicago where people are sorted into factions based on a single personality trait, the story follows sixteen-year-old Tris as she discovers she is Divergent, meaning she cannot be easily categorized. This discovery puts her life in danger as she joins a high-adrenaline group focused on bravery. The book explores intense themes of self-sacrifice, the ethics of social control, and the courage required to be true to oneself. Due to scenes of violence and physical initiation, it is best suited for readers thirteen and up.