Families who loved Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King 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 grappling with deep-seated family trauma or feeling paralyzed by the uncertainty of the future. It is particularly suited for older teens who are transitioning out of high school and struggling to reconcile their own identity with the legacy of their parents. The story follows Glory O'Brien, who, after drinking a bizarre concoction, begins to see the entire future of everyone she looks at, including a terrifying second American Civil War. While the premise includes surreal elements, the heart of the book is a grounded exploration of grief, mental health, and the cyclical nature of history. It addresses the suicide of a parent with raw honesty and examines how we can choose to be different from those who came before us. Due to profanity, sexual references, and mature themes regarding suicide and systemic violence, this is best suited for mature readers aged 15 and up. It is a powerful choice for families looking to validate the intensity of teenage existential dread and the importance of finding one's own voice.
