Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 1999. ISBN 0-374-37152-0

Freshman year started off all wrong. Melinda's friends have all shunned her, her grades are plummeting, her parents are never around and she is becoming an outcast. One party, one phone call, and her whole life has changed. As she sinks deeper and deeper into depression, she begins to stop speaking and expresses herself through her newfound art. Eventually Melinda finds her voice again when her former close friend begins dating the guy who took her voice away.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York : Miramax Books, 2005. ISBN 0-78683565-5

Percy Jackson has always experienced weird things, but he always figured it was either his dyslexia, or maybe even is ADHD. Bullied and outcast, he bounces from school to school until he gets to Yancy Academy, and for the first time makes a real friend, Grover. He even has a teacher, Mr. Brunner, who truly believes in him. Until one day when he overhears Grover and Mr. Brunner talking about him, and about how they must make sure he stays alive until next fall. Could the reason Percy is excelling in Greek mythology be linked to his father that he has never met? Could Percy be someone special after all?