Families who loved A Girl's Guide to Love & Magic by Debbie Rigaud often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the delicate balance of honoring family traditions while carving out their own modern identity. It is a perfect choice for a young person who feels a pull toward their heritage but is unsure how to integrate ancestral beliefs with their everyday life in the city. The story follows fifteen-year-old Cicely as she navigates the vibrant West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, only to be thrust into a supernatural crisis when her aunt is possessed by a spirit. This YA novel weaves together themes of bravery, family loyalty, and the magic of Haitian culture. It is age-appropriate for middle and high schoolers, offering a refreshing look at Voodoo (Vodou) through a lens of respect and familial duty rather than horror. Parents will appreciate the way it treats a first crush with sweetness while prioritizing the strength found in female-led family bonds and cultural pride.