Families who loved Identical by Ellen Hopkins often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their mature teenager is grappling with or observing the ripple effects of profound family dysfunction, trauma, or the heavy burden of keeping family secrets. This verse novel explores the lives of identical twins, Kaeleigh and Raeanne, who present a perfect image to the world while suffering privately from sexual abuse, neglect, and self-harm. It is an intense exploration of how different siblings cope with the same toxic environment through varied destructive behaviors like eating disorders, substance abuse, and risky sexual choices. This is a difficult but essential read for older teens who need to see the reality of trauma reflected honestly. Because of its explicit themes and heavy emotional weight, it is best suited for readers aged 16 and up who can process the complexities of systemic family failure and the journey toward seeking help.