Families who loved Girls Like Us by Gail Giles often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is preparing for post-graduation life, especially if that teen navigates intellectual disabilities or struggles with a sense of belonging. The story follows Quincy and Biddy, two young women from a special education program who are placed in an apartment together to learn independent living. It is a raw and honest look at the transition to adulthood, the complexities of trauma, and the power of unlikely friendships. While the book addresses difficult pasts, it ultimately focuses on the girls finding their own voices and agency. This is a compassionate choice for readers aged 14 and up who need to see that independence is a journey best taken with support, and that their value is not defined by their labels.