Books Like Belles
Families who loved Belles by Jen Calonita 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 Belles by Jen Calonita often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with a massive life transition, specifically one that involves moving between very different social or economic environments. It speaks to the feeling of being an outsider and the difficulty of finding one's footing when family structures are suddenly upended. The story follows Isabelle as she is thrust from a modest boardwalk life into a world of Southern elite privilege following a family tragedy. While the setting is filled with glamorous fashion and high school drama, the core of the book deals with deep emotional themes like grief, identity, and the complex friction of blended families. It is an appropriate choice for young teens who enjoy contemporary realism with a touch of mystery. Parents might choose this to help their child navigate social hierarchies or to validate the complicated feelings of resentment and longing that come with being the 'new person' in a group.
