The Big Crunch

Reach for this book when your teenager is experiencing the confusing intensity of a first relationship or facing the heartbreak of an impending move. It is a deeply resonant choice for kids who feel like their world is shifting beneath their feet and need to see their big emotions reflected with honesty and respect. The story follows Wes and June, two teens who fall for each other despite knowing that their time together is strictly limited by their parents' career-driven relocations. It explores themes of attachment, the pain of saying goodbye, and the resilience required to open one's heart when the ending is already written. Pete Hautman captures the authentic voice of high schoolers navigating love, family expectations, and the bittersweet reality of growing up. It is a realistic, secular look at teenage romance that avoids melodrama, making it an excellent tool for validating a teen's feelings while opening a door for conversations about transition and healthy detachment.