Shine

 

Shine by Lauren Myracle, 359p.

Sixteen-year-old Cat has spent the past three years avoiding everyone in her mountain town of Black Creek, NC, but when her childhood friend, Patrick, becomes the victim of an apparent hate crime she must rebuild burnt bridges to carry out her own investigation.  As Cat pieces together the events leading to Patrick's violent attack, she learns secrets from the people she avoided all these years and is reminded of secrets from her own past.

Shine, a 2013-14 Missouri Gateway Award Nominee, is ideal for readers who are ready to explore more complex issues such as sexual abuse and tolerance in a small town community.