Books Like A Skinful of Shadows
Families who loved A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge 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 child feels overwhelmed by family expectations or is struggling to maintain their own voice in a crowded, high-pressure environment. Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, this historical fantasy follows Makepeace, a girl who can host ghosts within her own mind. When she is taken in by her father's powerful family, she must learn to coexist with a wild bear spirit and outmaneuver relatives who view her only as a vessel for their own legacies. This is a sophisticated exploration of identity, agency, and the weight of ancestral history. While it features spooky elements and the gritty reality of 17th-century life, it is ultimately a story about finding strength in what makes you different. It is ideal for mature middle-grade readers or young teens who enjoy complex world-building and characters who must navigate difficult moral terrain to protect their own souls.
