Families who loved Kids of Appetite by David Arnold 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 teenager is struggling to process a deep, personal loss or feels like an outsider in their own life. It is particularly resonant for those who have lost a parent and are searching for a way to honor that memory while moving forward. The story follows Vic, a boy with Moebius syndrome, and Mad, a girl with a painful past, as they join a group of eccentric, homeless runaways on a quest to scatter Vic's father's ashes. While the framing device involves a police interrogation, the heart of the book is a beautiful, secular exploration of found family and the way art and connection can heal grief. It contains mature language and some heavy themes including abuse and neglect, making it most appropriate for high schoolers. Parents might choose this book to help a teen see that 'different' can be beautiful and that there is a community for everyone, even in the darkest times.