It's a well-known fact that secrets totally wreck families. Don't believe us? Just ask Miracle McCloy what she thinks—she'll definitely agree with us. This girl knows the devastating effects of shady family pacts all too well, and boy does she have a story to tell. It includes suicide, séances, and so much more. Oh, and it's called Dancing on the Edge.

Han Nolan's 1997 novel won the National Book Award for young adult fiction, which is kind of a big deal. What's really amazing, though, is Miracle's journey from a life built on lies and manipulation (primarily thanks to her grandma, Gigi, who's raising her) into one founded on a commitment to truth and discovering herself. But while things are definitely pretty bleak, seeing Miracle escape from the emotional prison she's stuck in is extremely satisfying for readers. Hence the whole National Book Award bit.

While Dancing on the Edge is definitely about overcoming obstacles, it's also about the power of the arts to give meaning to life. As a dancer, Miracle's art form gives her purpose—it's more than just an outlet for self-expression; it's a way to prove to herself that both she and the world around her are real, and later to connect to her mother and her legacy. Deep stuff, right? But what did you expect? Han didn't win a fancy prize for nothing.

Miracle deals with a lot of serious issues that are hopefully pretty foreign to you. But one thing's for sure: You probably know what it's like to be unsure of your identity and to search for something that fits. You may have taken up a hobby or activity like Miracle does with dance, idolized an older sibling or family member, or tried to dress like a favorite celebrity (for better or for worse). No matter what you did or where you looked, though, the process of trying to figure out who the heck you are is pretty much a universal human experience—there's no growing up without it.

So regardless of whether you've experienced what Miracle has, her struggle to figure out who she is and navigate her desire to belong and be accepted by others is something you're most likely pretty familiar with. So if you come from the school of hard knocks, you'll totally find a comrade in Miracle, but even if it's been smooth sailing from day one for you, when it comes to balancing being true to herself with social acceptance, well, we've never met a teen who can't relate. It's the ultimate feat, and one everybody grapples with.