Families who loved Dive by Stacey Donovan 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 feeling isolated by a sequence of personal crises or is beginning to explore their queer identity amidst family turmoil. The story follows fifteen-year-old Virginia as she navigates a 'perfect storm' of grief: her beloved dog is injured, her father is hospitalized with a mysterious and terminal illness, and her social circle is shifting. It is a raw, lyrical exploration of the messy transition into adulthood. While the themes are heavy, the book offers a lifeline to teens who feel like they are drowning in life's unpredictability. It provides a realistic, secular look at how young people process trauma and the beautiful, unexpected ways new connections can form when old ones fade. Recommended for ages 14 and up due to its mature emotional depth and frank depiction of adolescent life.