Families who loved How Could You Do It, Diane? by Stella Pevsner often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
You would reach for this book when your teenager is processing a sudden, inexplicable loss and feels isolated by a family culture of silence or 'moving on' too quickly. This story provides a crucial mirror for children who feel that their grief is being stifled or that they are being 'protected' from the truth in ways that actually hurt more. It focuses on Bethany, a young girl trying to piece together why her older sister, Diane, chose to end her life. While the subject matter is heavy, the book is an essential tool for opening lines of communication in families where difficult emotions are often repressed. It validates the anger, confusion, and detective-like need for answers that often follow a suicide. Recommended for ages 12 and up, this is a realistic and secular exploration of the messy, non-linear path toward healing and the realization that we may never have all the answers.