Families who loved Now or Never! by Ray Anthony Shepard often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the realization that their childhood friends are moving in a direction they cannot follow, or when they are facing a crushing 'right versus wrong' dilemma that involves personal loyalty. This classic coming of age story explores the lives of foster brothers Mark and Bryon as they navigate the gritty realities of their urban neighborhood. While they were once inseparable, the boys begin to drift apart as Bryon matures and develops a moral compass, while Mark remains tethered to a life of impulsive and illegal shortcuts. It is a powerful exploration of honesty, the pain of growing up, and the heavy burden of making a choice that might end a friendship forever. Parents will appreciate the book for its raw, unsentimental look at accountability and the difficult transition from the simplicity of childhood play to the complex consequences of adult life.