Families who loved Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho 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 navigating the messy transition of a lifelong friendship into something more complicated, or when they are struggling with a peer's chronic health issue. Set in the mid-1990s, the story follows Althea and Oliver, best friends whose bond is tested when Oliver develops Kleine Levin Syndrome, a rare sleeping disorder that causes him to vanish into long bouts of sleep and altered behavior. It is an honest, gritty look at loyalty, the fear of being left behind, and the painful process of defining oneself outside of a duo. Parents should be aware that this is a mature young adult novel featuring realistic depictions of teenage rebellion, burgeoning sexuality, and the frustrations of living with an invisible disability. It offers a profound way to discuss how we care for others without losing ourselves in the process.