Families who loved Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Shalaway Carpenter 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 struggling with the isolation of a best friend moving away or the paralyzing weight of keeping a secret to protect their social status. It is a deeply relatable look at the intersection of loyalty, honesty, and the fear of being seen for who you truly are during the vulnerable middle school years. The story follows Quinn, whose world is upended when her best friend moves. To cope, she creates a secret persona that begins to spiral out of control. It beautifully captures the high stakes of eighth-grade social dynamics and the internal conflict between self-preservation and integrity. Parents will appreciate how it validates the intense emotions of adolescent friendship shifts while modeling the messy but necessary path toward self-acceptance. It is an excellent choice for 12 to 14 year olds navigating the transition from childhood play to complex social hierarchies.
