The Poison Diaries

Parents should reach for this book when their teen is beginning to question the authority of their caregivers or navigating the intense, often overwhelming world of first love and personal ethics. Set against a backdrop of historical herbalism, it follows Jessamine, the daughter of an apothecary who grows only poisonous plants. When a mysterious young man named Weed arrives, Jessamine must decide if her loyalty belongs to her father's dangerous legacy or her own burgeoning sense of self. The story explores deep emotional themes of trust, isolation, and the moral ambiguity of power. It is an atmospheric choice for teens aged 13 and up who enjoy gothic mysteries and are ready to discuss the complicated nature of good and evil.