Families who loved The Everything I Have Lost by Sylvia Aguilar Zéleny 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 child is beginning to question the infallibility of the adults in their lives or is struggling with the heavy secret of a family member's mistakes. Written as a series of diary entries, it follows Julia as her family flees the violence of Juarez for a new life in El Paso. Beyond the immigration narrative, this is a deeply moving exploration of a young girl realizing that her father's 'business' is actually criminal, and her mother's love is complicated by enabling behavior. It is a vital resource for middle schoolers navigating the loss of childhood innocence, the weight of family loyalty, and the resilience required to build a sense of self in a new country. It validates the confusing mix of love and shame that comes with a troubled home life.