Being from Indiana and the daughter of a huge reader, I often heard about a book called "The Girl of the Limberlost", by Gene(vieve) Stratton Porter (Indiana author).  I never read it until recently and am now reading the prequel, "Freckles". 

These are fabulous books!  They are beautifully written and hard to put down.  They are each about the great Limberlost forest of the midwest that disappeared because of logging and progress.  One focuses on the rare and incredible butterflies found in the forest, and the other on its flowers and birds.  The author did an amazing job of making these stories about nature, but not about nature, come so alive.  The characters are unique and rare.  The stories timeless and touching.

These titles are not for children as first they deal with growing love relationships, and second they deal with neglect.  Highschool age would probably love them.  But, YOU will really love them.