Books Like Absent
Families who loved Absent by Katie Williams 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 Absent by Katie Williams 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 if your teenager is struggling with the aftermath of a classmate's death or is experiencing the social pain of being misrepresented by rumors. It is a powerful tool for discussing how a person's digital and social legacy can be distorted by peer gossip and how to find peace when you cannot control what others think of you. The story follows Paige, a high school junior who dies in a fall and remains trapped as a ghost on campus. As she watches her classmates speculate that her death was a suicide, she discovers she can temporarily possess the living to set the record straight. While the premise is supernatural, the emotional core is deeply realistic, exploring the weight of reputation and the complex process of letting go. It is appropriate for mid-to-older teens due to its frank look at mortality and social dynamics, offering a secular but hopeful perspective on closure.
