Ripper

Parents should reach for this book when their teenager is exploring their own identity or grappling with the complexities of family history and biological origins. Set in 1895 New York, the story follows Carver Young, an orphan who is adopted by a legendary detective and begins a high-stakes search for his birth father. While the plot is a pulse-pounding historical thriller involving the hunt for a notorious killer, the heart of the book is about the courage it takes to face uncomfortable truths. It is a sophisticated choice for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who enjoy dark mysteries and are ready to discuss the nuance between good and evil. Parents will appreciate how it handles the emotional weight of adoption and the desire for belonging within a gripping, atmospheric narrative.