Please welcome my guest author, Mona Alvarado Frazier with her debut young adult novel! We are long-time friends from Twitter and I’m thrilled to have her on my blog today! She’s always been so supportive on social media that I’m happy to be able to return the favor.
The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier
Juana’s life has taken a dark turn. Accused of her husband’s death, she’s now a seventeen-year-old mother, alone and undocumented in a prison cell. No one believes her when she claims she’s innocent, not even the prison staff or the gang leader in her block who torments her relentlessly.
Her only solace is in her baby, but as Juana struggles to survive the dangers lurking in prison, the threat outside grows even more terrifying. Her husband’s furious family wants to take the child away.
With no hope in sight, Juana discovers a glimmer of light in a small patch of earth in the prison yard. As she nurtures the plants, memories of her mother’s strength and resilience surface, pushing Juana to fight for her freedom and her daughter’s future. This is a story of courage, hope, and determination in the face of impossible odds. [young adult, ages 13 and up]
We are giving away 2 signed books with bookmarks and stickers. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
Middle Grade and YA books about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Please be aware that a few contain content warnings.
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
High school student Caitlin struggles after her sister runs away from home. She falls for a charming boy who seems perfect but becomes increasingly abusive. The story explores the emotional challenges and difficulties Caitlin faces when leaving an abusive relationship. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
The Burning by Laura Bates
Anna is a teenage girl who becomes the victim of cyberbullying and stalking by a boy she used to be friends with. The story explores an aspect of Intimate Partner Violence, online harassment, and its potential to escalate into physical violence. [young adult, ages 14 and up]
Bitter End by Jennifer Brown
This YA novel follows ambitious high school senior Alex as she falls for Cole, a popular boy who gradually becomes increasingly controlling and manipulative. The story explores the warning signs of abusive relationships and Alex’s emotional turmoil when she tries to break it off with Cole. [young adult, ages 15 and up]
Girl on the Brink: Dating Violence by Christina Hoag
The author drew on her personal experiences in the novel. Seventeen-year-old Chloe starts an internship at a local newspaper the summer before senior year. While on assignment, she meets Kieran, a quirky aspiring actor. Chloe is smitten with Kieran’s charisma. As their bond deepens, he becomes smothering and flies into terrifying rages. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
It Doesn’t Start With a Punch by Dee Dee Said
The author explores how abuse can start subtly and grow, imparting deep wounds with long-lasting effects. The author is an abuse survivor and thriver. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
Miosotis Flores Never Forgets by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Thirteen-year-old Miosotis is very close to her college-age sister, Amarilis. When Amarilis begins wearing winter clothing in summer and distancing herself from the family, Miosotis figures out that something is not quite right between her sister and her boyfriend and faces some difficult choices. What do you do if someone is in danger but doesn’t want your help? [middle grade, ages 9 and up]
Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder
There is abuse in Rae’s home life, and when her boyfriend’s affection turns to obsession, Rae has to find a way out. [young adult, ages 14 and up]
Burned by Ellen Hopkins
This novel in verse follows the story of Pattyn, a teenage girl living in a strict and abusive household. Pattyn struggles to navigate her family’s oppressive religious beliefs and the intense emotional and physical abuse she experiences at the hands of her father. She finds solace in an unexpected romance with a boy named Ethan. [young adult, ages 14 and up]
GIVEAWAY: 2 Signed Copies of The Garden of Second Chances + Swag
We are giving away 2 signed books with bookmarks and stickers. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below.
After dedicating herself to working with incarcerated youth and raising three children as a single parent, Mona Alvarado Frazier can now fulfill her passions for writing and traveling. When she’s not exploring new destinations or putting pen to paper, you can find her lost in a good book, binge-watching K-dramas, or tending her succulent gardens and running after her two grand kitties.
She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Macondo Writers Workshop, as well as a co-founder of LatinxPitch, an annual Twitter event. Mona’s second YA novel debuts in December of 2024. To learn more, please check out her website and follow her on Instagram @m. alvaradofrazier and Twitter @AlvaradoFrazier.
p.s. Related posts:
Domestic Violence Books for Kids
Domestic Violence Books for Kids (part 2)
Great Topics from A Kids Book About …
166 Chapter Books for Difficult Situations: #MGGetsReal
Safe Dating Tips for Teens and Parents
Books for Kids about Living in an Alcoholic Home
3 Ways to Teach Your Child How to Speak Up About Abuse
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My books:
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
I have yet to find a good book with this topic. These listed about sound powerful.
I haven’t read any Domestic Violence books but Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm sounds like an interesting read!
I have not read any YA or middle-grade books that discuss Intimate Partner Violence so I have no recommendations. These all look great.
Never knew books existed about this subject for that age group.