We Can Be Heroes

Reach for this book when your teenager is processing the weight of a local or national tragedy, particularly school violence, and is struggling with the intersection of personal grief and public outrage. It serves as a compassionate bridge for teens who feel that their pain is being overlooked by a society that moves on too quickly after a crisis. The story follows two best friends, Cassie and Beck, who are mourning the loss of their friend Vivian after a school shooting. They navigate the complexity of honoring her memory while facing a community that seems more interested in systemic arguments than the individual lives lost. It is a powerful, realistic exploration of gun violence, gender-based aggression, and the restorative power of art and activism for ages 14 and up. Parents might choose this to validate their child's feelings of anger and helplessness, offering a narrative that moves toward healing through action and shared memory.