Good Kids, Bad Choices

by Shanti Hershenson

FBT review:

Discover **Good Kids, Bad Choices** by **Shanti Hershenson**, an **instant #1 New Release** in Teen & Young Adult fiction. This compelling indie novel follows Lena Hackett, a freshman navigating a new school, and Natalia Malone, a former student pulled back into the fight against Littlewood Charter School’s toxic culture. Blending **school drama, social justice, politics, and coming-of-age tension**, the story explores prejudice, activism, friendship, and the consequences of speaking out. If you’re searching **indie books to read next**, standout **YA eBooks**, or fresh **bestseller-style recommendations**, this emotionally charged novel delivers a bold, timely read with unforgettable characters and high-stakes choices. Perfect for readers who enjoy powerful contemporary young adult fiction.

Publisher Description:

An INSTANT #1 New Release
A fire is starting at Littlewood Charter School—or has the damage been done?

Lena Hackett is beginning her freshman year how all teenagers fear: new city, new school, and new friends. Life in Temecula is not the same as in Northern California, but placed in a well-praised charter school, Lena is doing her best to thrive. Until, an altercation with her prejudiced history teacher gets her sent to sickly-sweet Ms. Johnson’s office—and then detention.

Natalia Malone is doing her best to forget Littlewood. Forget about the bigoted administration and suffering students, the board meetings, the cramped principal’s office, the guilt-tripping emails, the manipulative phone calls—Natalia needs to shirk the battles she once fought. That is, if she is going to find success as a musician. It’s been nearly two years since her expulsion. It can’t be that hard to move on, right?

Wrong. As Lena and her newfound friends provoke change in their community to finish what began years ago, Natalia knows she can’t turn away forever—but doing so will bring her between her bright future and her troubled past.

As Shanti Hershenson’s longest work, Good Kids, Bad Choices is a mammoth novel combining complex American politics, school-wide issues, and the experience of being a teenager in an onerous era.

Promotion: Jul 10, 2026 - Jul 15, 2026

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