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Middle Grade and YA books about Intimate Partner Violence

9 Books for Teens about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) & 2 Book Giveaway + Swag

Posted on May 29, 2023January 8, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Please welcome my guest author, Mona Alvarado Frazier with her list of 9 Books for Teens about Intimate Partner Violence including 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]

The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier

We are giving away 2 signed books with bookmarks and stickers. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

9 Books for Teens about Intimate Partner Violence

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]

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

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]

The Burning by Laura Bates

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]

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

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]

Girl on the Brink : A Romantic Thriller about Dating Violence Inspired by a True Story
by Christina Hoag

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]

It Doesn't Start with a Punch: My Journey through an Abusive Teen Dating Relationship
by Dee Dee Said

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]

Miosotis Flores Never Forgets
by Hilda Eunice Burgos

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]

Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder

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]

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

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.

The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mona Alvarado Frazier

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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5 thoughts on “9 Books for Teens about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) & 2 Book Giveaway + Swag”

  1. danielle hammelef says:
    May 30, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    I have yet to find a good book with this topic. These listed about sound powerful.

    Reply
  2. Tandi Cortez says:
    May 31, 2023 at 5:40 am

    I haven’t read any Domestic Violence books but Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm sounds like an interesting read!

    Reply
  3. Steph says:
    May 31, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    I have not read any YA or middle-grade books that discuss Intimate Partner Violence so I have no recommendations. These all look great.

    Reply
  4. Thomas Gibson says:
    June 27, 2023 at 11:17 am

    Never knew books existed about this subject for that age group.

    Reply
  5. Frances says:
    January 26, 2024 at 7:26 pm

    Thank you for participating in #ReadYourWorld 2024 🙂 Such heavy topics are needed in the kidlit world. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

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