Hold Me Closer

Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the complexities of high school social hierarchies and searching for the courage to live out loud. This novel is a vibrant, musical-inspired story about Tiny Cooper, a larger-than-life character who is finally stepping into his own spotlight. It speaks directly to the need for self-acceptance and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself, even when the world expects you to fit into a smaller box. Through the lens of a high school musical production, the story explores identity, the search for true love, and the importance of supportive friendships. It is an uplifting choice for parents of teens who may feel like outsiders or who are beginning to embrace their LGBTQ+ identity. While the tone is celebratory and humorous, it handles the vulnerabilities of adolescence with great care and psychological depth, making it a wonderful tool for normalizing the diverse spectrum of teen experiences.