Price of Duty

Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with a major life decision that feels at odds with your family's history or expectations. This poignant novel follows Jake Forrest, a teenager from a family with a deep military legacy, who is expected to enlist just like his older brother. However, after his brother returns home from war with life-altering injuries, Jake begins to question the true cost of heroism and whether he has the right to choose a different path. It is a deeply reflective look at the weight of duty, the complexity of patriotism, and the courage it takes to define one's own identity. Strasser handles these heavy themes with nuance and respect, making it an excellent choice for 14 to 18-year-olds who are learning to navigate high-stakes peer and family pressure while developing their own moral compass.