There Will Be Lies

Reach for this book when your teenager is questioning the foundations of their upbringing or struggling with the realization that the adults in their lives are flawed and fallible. This complex thriller follows Shelby, a girl who believes she is protected by her mother's overbearing rules, only to discover her entire life is built on a monumental lie. As she travels across the Southwest, the story weaves together a grit-filled reality with surreal indigenous folklore. It is an intense exploration of identity, trauma, and the difficult path to independence. While it deals with heavy themes of kidnapping and deception, it offers a powerful look at resilience for older teens (14+) who are ready to engage with the blurred lines between truth and survival.