To 12-year-old Cove, Martha's Vineyard is paradise. After all, she was named after the ocean. Swimming from the dock behind her house past neighbors' homes is an everyday experience in the summer for Cove and her best friend, Nina. The girls love the easygoing nature of the season. They discuss everything and spend so much time together. With Nina, everything is possible.

Then Nina leaves.

Nina's dads decide to relocate to New York City to give dad Toby a chance to display his artwork in a gallery. Moving from an island to a big city is a daunting prospect, and Nina does not want to leave. The pre-teens cling to each other during their last day on the island. After the move, Cove and Nina write letters to one another, complete with drawings.

During the new school year, two girls, Sophie and Amelia, are relentlessly cruel to Cove. Apparently, Cove's brown hair and brown shirt one day spark the torment—the girls refer to her as "Rover" and bark when they see her. The bullying is demeaning and difficult to tolerate. Then, popular girls wear shirts to school that display an offensive message. The principal is distraught and unsure about how to proceed.

Meanwhile, Cove meets Jack, who is interested in recycled crafts. She also meets Jonah at a second-hand clothing shop. There, her interest in textiles develops, and she tries her hand at sewing. Anna is a patient teacher, and Cove's skills as a seamstress develops. Who knew that creating clothing held such intrigue?

Out of Place by Jennifer Blecher, 2019

Bullying has a deleterious effect on kids, and the bullying in this work is terrible. 

Jennifer Blecker's website

Books about Martha's Vineyard
 

Hannah is the school scapegoat; classmates, Tara and Amy, torment her by throwing slimy objects at her back, writing offensive messages on her shirt, and just generally making her life hell. She gets off the school bus in tears, and feels dejected while at school. At a party, kids accuse Hannah of touching a girl inappropriately, and they kick her out. Hannah's sister, who dies shortly after, simply watches her leave and her former best friend, Charlotte, does nothing to stop the bullying.

Hannah's sister, Katie, was killed in a car crash. Katie's words, thoughts, and behavior monopolize Hannah's existence. Intrusive thoughts of her sister guide her life: things that Katie used to call her, a list of Katie's favorite advice, memories of outings with Katie, and Hannah's frustration with Katie's unwillingness to protect her.

Hannah's dead sister consumes her life… and her sister was not too nice to Hannah.

Anne, the school guidance counselor, is a beacon of light to the teen. She talks to her about her memories of her sister, and empathizes with Hannah's hurt feelings about the cruel treatment her schoolmates mete out. She encourages Hannah to talk about her life and how she feels. The only constant in her world, Anne's support, is invaluable to Hannah.

Protected by Claire Zorn, 2014

As with the previous title, I was horrified by the atrocious bullying that occurs in this book—and I am so glad that I have fantastic siblings!

Books about bullying

Claire Zorn's website
 

Melinda "Lindy" Sachs unfortunately has contracted mononucleosis… and is bored out of her mind. Tired of feeling tired most of the time, the 12-year-old discovers she will be out of commission for weeks, and spends her days mostly sleeping. For a few hours a day, she emerges from her bedroom for meals and homework. Otherwise, sleep and fatigue is her world. There are no meds for mono and life is drab. Until her father has an interesting proposition.

Mr. Sachs gives Lindy $100 to trade on stocks, however she wants.

The girl jumps at the chance to try her hand at beating the volatile economic market. She closely watches stock pricing throughout the market each day, and is excited to make a killing. Sometimes, Lindy falls asleep instead of trading but luck tends to be on her side, and she usually makes money. When she is well enough to return to school, Lindy worries that time spent there is time she's not engaged with trading. She watches her $100 grow to $115 and beyond, and the addictive nature of stock trading grips her with large talons.

The thrill of trading does not captivate Lindy's classmates as it does her. Perhaps she is not explaining the concept properly; to Lindy, stocks seem like so much fun that she cannot comprehend why other kids are not enthused. Lindy is off and running with the money and who knows what will stop her.

The Short Seller by Elissa Weissman, 2013

I have always been interested in finance, and really enjoyed this  look on online stock trading.

Elissa Weissman's website

Books about stock trading