Crosses, Paperback

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, and an ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Readers

Nancy and Katie are best friends with one big thing in common--they both cut themselves: "Not by accident, we do it purposely--and regularly--because physical pain is comforting, and because now it has become a habit."

Crosses was the first novel for young adults to deal with an increasingly widespread disorder, and "graphically describes the cry for help of many adolescents and how far they have to fall before they are even noticed" (Voice of Young Adults).

Shelley Stoehr has authored four award-winning novels for young adults. Horn Book has called Stoehr one of the new, young breeds of truth-telling young adult writers. Stoehr's narrative flow is a strength, as is her ability to capture the rhythms, attitudes, and feelings of teens facing a violent, drug-filled world of big dreams with little chance of making it (SLJ).