YA books can be hilarious, sensitive, mysterious, frightening, all of the above.  They can deal with friendships, relationships, school, sports, creativity, crimes, and lots more.  In the Teen Lounge, we also have books that address some of the toughest issues to talk about, including death and grieving.  Here are list of books to read when you're going through a difficult time yourself, helping a friend deal, or just ready to read about how some people feel when the worst things happen.

The Savage, David Almond YA Real Almond

After his father died, Blue Baker began writing a story about a feral boy who can act out all the loneliness and anger that Blue feels. But then the violent creature Blue has created emerges into the world.

Hate List, Jennifer Brown YA Real Brown

Five months ago, Valerie's boyfriend, Nick, brought a gun to school and killed six classmates and then himself. Now Valerie must return to school, mourning her boyfriend, her classmates, and the things she thought she knew.

The Truth About Forever, Sarah Dessen YA Real Dessen

Since her father's death, Macy has led a tightly-controlled life of good grades and perfect behavior, but how long will she be able to pretend she's fine?

Before I Die, Jenny Downham YA Real Downham

Tessa knows her chemotherapy has stopped working, and she's terrified of dying before she has experienced life.

If I Stay, Gayle Forman YA Real Forman

Mia was a talented cellist with loving parents, an energetic little brother, and a rocker boyfriend. Now her family is dead, her boyfriend is at her bedside while she's in a coma, and her spirit must decide whether she can fight for a life full of grief, without her family.

Choices, Deborah Lynn Jacobs, YA SciFi Jacobs

Kathleen is a reality-hopper, moving between alternate worlds since the death of her brother. Though she doesn't know which world she'll wake up into, she does realize that her choices shape the lives she experience, including the discovery of a cute boy named Luke and the possibility of getting her brother back.

Last Summer of the Death Warriors, Francisco X. Stork YA Real Stork

After his sister's death, Pancho ends up sad and angry at a home for boys, where he meets D.Q., dying of a rare cancer, who teaches him how to focus on living.

Hard Hit, Ann Warren Turner  YA Real Turner

Mark Warren has an almost-perfect life, until his father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The free-verse narrative reveals Mark's struggle to cope as his father succumbs to his disease.

Broken Soup, Jenny Valentine YA Real Valenti

Rowan's been worrying about her grief-stricken mother, caring for her little sister, and hoping for a glimpse of her preoccupied father since her brother's death. Then one day a strange boy appears who stirs up questions about her brother and her ability to build a new relationship.