Books Like Orchards
Families who loved Orchards by Holly Thompson often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Orchards by Holly Thompson 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 teen is grappling with the heavy weight of social responsibility, peer pressure, or the lingering guilt that follows a tragedy in their school community. It is a profound resource for those who weren't the 'bullies' but feel they didn't do enough to help a struggling peer. Through the story of Kana, a Japanese-American teen sent to her family's mikan orange farm in Japan after a classmate's suicide, the story explores the nuance of complicity and the slow path toward self-forgiveness. Written in beautiful free verse, the novel provides a safe emotional distance for teens to process complex grief and shame. It is developmentally appropriate for ages 12 and up, offering a realistic look at how heritage and manual labor can provide a grounding space for healing. Parents might choose this book to help a child understand that while they cannot change the past, they can grow into a more empathetic and courageous version of themselves.
