Families who loved All That Glitters by David Van Etten 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 teenager is feeling overwhelmed by high expectations and the pressure to perform for others. It is an ideal choice for the student who feels like they are juggling too many adult responsibilities while their peers seem to enjoy a carefree life. The story follows Mallory, a talented teen whose dream of writing a soap opera becomes a nightmare when her difficult mother is cast as the lead. As Mallory navigates a high-stakes professional environment alongside the usual chaos of high school, she must learn how to set boundaries with toxic family members and claim her own identity. This book normalizes the feeling of wanting to quit when things get too heavy and provides a safe space to discuss the difference between healthy perseverance and harmful self-sacrifice. It is a humorous yet grounded look at the cost of success and the importance of self-advocacy for ages 12 to 17.