Families who loved Ocean City by Katherine Applegate 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 the excitement and anxiety of a first summer job, a new social scene, or the general push-pull of wanting more independence. Ocean City follows a teenage girl as she spends a formative summer working in a bustling beach town. She learns to navigate demanding bosses, the shifting loyalties of a new friend group, and the intoxicating feelings of a first romance. This classic coming-of-age story explores themes of self-discovery, loyalty, and the bittersweet nature of temporary connections. It’s a gentle, relatable read for teens ready for a story about growing up, perfectly capturing the magic and melancholy of a summer that changes everything.