Crush. Candy. Corpse. by Sylvia McNicoll; published 9/1/12; ISBN 9781459400627.

Crush Candy Corpse image from worldcat.org

In Crush. Candy. Corpse., high school senior Sunny is just trying to find a volunteer opportunity to meet graduation requirements. When she’s not allowed to count volunteering at a hair salon for credit, she settles for the option of assisting at a retirement facility. While there, she realizes that these senior citizens have limited freedom, just like her. She finds she’s actually kind of good at this and begins forming friendships with the residents. When an Alzheimer’s patient dies, Sunny is accused of performing assisted suicide.

The story unfolds through alternating between trial proceedings and Sunny’s journal entries. Ms. McNicoll presents an engaging tale exploring ethics, health care philosophies, and the fine line betwen right and wrong while showing that all teens have a talent, they just have to find it (and be supported in finding it).