Families who loved New World by Gillian Cross often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager begins questioning the ethics of big tech, the safety of their digital footprint, or the unsettling ways that algorithms seem to know their private thoughts. It is a sharp, psychological thriller that explores the blurred lines between gaming and reality, making it a perfect conversation starter about digital privacy and corporate manipulation. Miriam, a fourteen-year-old, is recruited to test a top-secret virtual reality game. However, she soon discovers that the game is designed to harvest her real-life fears and use them against her. The story touches on themes of trust, autonomy, and the courage required to reclaim one's privacy in an invasive world. It is highly appropriate for middle schoolers and young teens who enjoy suspenseful stories that mirror contemporary concerns about data privacy and surveillance.