Families who loved Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough 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 expressing frustration with unfair power dynamics at school or needs a boost in seeing how their unique voice can effect change. This witty romantic comedy follows two opposites: Harriet, a high-achieving perfectionist, and Will, a rebellious artist: who team up to create a fictional student named Amelia Westlake. Through a series of clever pranks and public stunts, they expose their elite school's systemic failures, specifically regarding sexual harassment and privilege. It is an empowering choice for 14-to-18-year-olds that balances serious themes of social justice and LGBTQ+ identity with a lighthearted, fast-paced narrative. Parents will appreciate how it models the importance of allyship and finding constructive, creative ways to stand up against injustice.