Families who loved Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan's Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally M. Walker 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 feelings of betrayal, social isolation, or the burning desire to set things right after being treated unfairly. It is a powerful tool for discussing how we handle anger and the long-term consequences of seeking revenge versus seeking true justice. The story follows Edmond Dantes, a young man who is wrongfully imprisoned for years before escaping to reinvent himself and settle old scores. While the setting is 19th-century France, the emotional core is deeply relatable for any young person who has felt 'thrown under the bus' by friends or authority figures. The book explores the complex weight of holding onto a grudge and the eventual path toward redemption and peace. Given the sophisticated language and themes of systemic injustice and vengeance, it is best suited for older readers who are ready to grapple with moral ambiguity and the idea that life is not always fair.
