Families who loved King of the Pygmies by Jonathon Scott Fuqua 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 teen is facing a new, serious mental health diagnosis and struggling to understand what it means for their identity. "King of the Pygmies" is the story of Penn, a high school sophomore who begins hearing what he believes are other people's thoughts. His frightening journey leads to a potential diagnosis of schizophrenia, forcing him to confront a new and uncertain reality. The book sensitively explores themes of fear, identity, and the isolation that can accompany mental illness, but also the power of support from family and friends. For older teens, it provides a powerful, first-person perspective that can help demystify a complex condition and open the door to important family conversations about mental health and acceptance.