Las Animas - Bent County Library District

"Against the unforgiving landscape of a hospital, I fell in love with a mischievous, sun-eyed boy who became my only joy in that desolate place. That's what made it all the more soul-crushing when he committed suicide in front of me. Since then, I've sworn never to love anyone again. With three exceptions: My friends, Sony, Neo, and Coeur, a little gang of rebellious, dying kids. Sony leads the charge with the air of freedom and only one lung to breathe...

In the Kentucky mining community called Skingle Creek, two childhoos friends give a gift that may restore the hope of their families and save the life of their beloved teacher.

"The Fairway Players, an amateur theater group, are in the middle of rehearsals for their production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife, Helen. Their young granddaughter is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and faces an experimental treatment that costs a tremendous sum, so their fellow castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival. But not everybody is convinced...

"Miryam's body doesn't fight off germs like it should. While doctors figure out how to make her better, Miryam needs to stay home for online classes. Trouble is: Miryam struggles to focus on her teacher and schoolwork ... When Miryam's dad hears about the Helper Hounds, everything changes. Brisket the Helper Hound knows all about learning to focus and about staying in touch with friends"--

A high-school senior caring for her younger brother and his best friend, Trusty, a mute Siberian Husky, packs up their car and sets out for Alaska in an effort to find inspiration and follow her dreams.