The Distance from Me to You

This young adult novel blends a compelling survival story with an intense first love romance. McKenna, determined to hike the Appalachian Trail, meets Sam, a troubled teen escaping an abusive past. As they fall deeply in love, their journey takes a dangerous turn, forcing them to confront their limits and fight for their lives. The book explores themes of independence, resilience, and the complexities of young love, set against the backdrop of the challenging wilderness. Parents should be aware of the prominent themes of peril and danger, as well as the moderate mention of past abuse and intense romantic content. It's suitable for mature teens ready for a gripping, emotionally charged read.

Cheryl Strayed's Wild meets Endless Love in this multilayered story of love, survival, and self-discovery McKenna Berney is a lucky girl. She has a loving family and has been accepted to college for the fall. But McKenna has a different goal in mind: much to the chagrin of her parents, she defers her college acceptance to hike the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia with her best friend. And when her friend backs out, McKenna is determined to go through with the dangerous trip on her own. While on the Trail, she meets Sam. Having skipped out on an abusive dad and quit school, Sam has found a brief respite on the Trail, where everyone's a drifter, at least temporarily. Despite lives headed in opposite directions, McKenna and Sam fall in love on an emotionally charged journey of dizzying highs and devastating lows. When their punch-drunk love leads them off the trail, McKenna has to persevere in a way she never thought possible to beat the odds or risk both their lives.