Panic

Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling trapped by their circumstances or is struggling to understand the difference between true courage and dangerous impulsivity. It is an ideal choice for adolescents navigating high-stakes pressure or those who feel they must take on adult burdens to protect their family. The story follows seniors in a dead-end town who compete in a high-stakes, illegal game of daring called Panic to win a life-changing pot of money. Beyond the adrenaline-pumping challenges, the book explores deep themes of socioeconomic struggle, the cycle of poverty, and the sacrificial nature of love. While it contains mature themes and intensity suitable for older teens, it provides a powerful opening to discuss making healthy choices when the world feels stacked against you. It validates the intense desire for agency that many young adults feel as they prepare to leave home.