There Goes the Neighborhood

Reach for this book if your teen is feeling the weight of a changing neighborhood or wrestling with the ethics of activism. It is an ideal pick for students who feel protective of their community and are beginning to notice the socioeconomic shifts of gentrification. The story follows Rhea and her friends as they create a fake neighborhood 'scare' to keep developers away, only for the plan to spiral into a real mystery when a body is discovered. While the premise involves a high-stakes mystery, the heart of the book is about the loyalty of friendship and the fear of losing one's home. It deals with systemic racism and classism through a sharp, contemporary lens. Parents might choose this to validate their teen's frustrations with social injustice while enjoying a fast-paced, darkly humorous thriller that doesn't shy away from complex moral choices.