There is evidence that student-selected reading of compelling, relevant young adult literature helps address the problem of low reading engagement among adolescents, but schools rarely take up this option as a curricular priority. A major source of apprehension for adults is fear that students might be placed at risk by exposure to realistic content of some young adult books or that parents might object. In this article, the authors take up this problem by describing the experiences of eighth-grade students in classes where engaged reading of disturbing books was the norm. The authors offer students' perspectives, as well as those of some of their parents. Students documented the many positive ways that they were transformed by the books and the ensuing conversations. Their parents agreed and described resulting changes in family conversations and relationships.