Split By Swati Avasthi

Jace has finally escaped. He is on his way to join his brother Christian because only Christian can understand what Jace has been through. Once reunited Jace and his brother can come up with a plan to rescue their mother from all of the abuse their father has subjected them to. Jace will soon find out that his brother might not be ready to face their past.

Split shows the complexities of relationships in families dealing with an abusive father and how those involved are more than one dimensional people. Even though Jace, Christian, and their mother have been subject to constant abuse, the reader is shown how difficult it can be for those individuals to pull away from such a toxic environment. Split delivers strong messages about relationship and family abuse and how to deal with the fallout of being part of such a relationship. The book is geared towards older middle school students and above.--Claudio Leon

Avasthi, Swati. Split. New York: Ember, 2010. Print

Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

Lafayette, Charlie and Ty’ree used to be as close as brothers could be, but ever since Charlie came home from two years away in juvenile detention, he’s been angry and mean. The boys have had a difficult life; their father died in a tragic accident when they were younger, and their mother died while Charlie was away. With both parents gone, Ty’ree, the oldest, must leave his college dreams behind so that he can keep what’s left of the family together. This book is reminiscent of The Outsiders; narrated by the youngest, most sensitive brother, it is a story about family and what it really means to have heart.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Miracle’s Boys. New York: Penguin, 2000.