Three Summers

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the stability of the world around them or struggling with how external political tensions can fracture personal friendships. It is a vital resource for discussing how systemic prejudice builds slowly before it erupts into conflict, providing a safe space to explore the anxiety of living through uncertain times. Set in Bihać, Bosnia, in the early 1990s, the memoir follows Amra and her friends over three pivotal summers as their peaceful lives are upended by the Bosnian War. While it deals with the heavy reality of ethnic cleansing and the loss of innocence, the narrative is anchored in the enduring strength of female friendship and family bonds. It is a sophisticated, deeply emotional read that helps teens process themes of identity, injustice, and resilience.