Best Destiny by Diane Carey This book starts with Jimmy Kirk as a 16 year old gang leader. How did he even become interested in Starfleet? This question is bookended with the retiring flight of the Enterprise NCC-1701A. It's the captain's prerogative until an emergency signal is received.
I have really enjoyed a number of Diane Carey's Star Trek novels. She strikes the teenaged angst dead on in this book. Good characterization and an interesting plot.
