"Whirligig" by Paul Fleischman

I suppose "Whirligig" falls broadly under the banner of "realistic" teen fiction, though I'd suggest it's a bit more metaphysical/metaphorical than that. The book follows a few months in the life of Brent Bishop, a Chicago teen whose impulsive actions ripple well beyond anything he expected (unintended consequences indeed!). At it's heart, Whirligig is a story of redemption and self-discovery. While Brent is the main character, there are multiple storylines throughout that help illustrate the interconnectedness of our lives. I think smart, sensitive teens, (and adults!) will likely enjoy this book. I know I did.