Books Like Pretty Things
Families who loved Pretty Things by Sarra Manning 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 Pretty Things by Sarra Manning 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 navigating the messy complexities of summer friendships, first romances, and the performative nature of social identity. It is an ideal choice for a teen who feels they have to wear a mask to fit in or who is struggling with the transition from being a child to a young adult with romantic desires and insecurities. The story follows four very different teenagers, Bree, Charlie, Walker, and Olive, as they are cast in a youth production of The Taming of the Shrew. As they rehearse, the boundaries between their stage personas and their real selves begin to blur. The book tackles themes of self-confidence, peer pressure, and sexual awakening with a frank, British sensibility. It is most appropriate for older teens due to its honest depiction of teenage sexuality and language, offering a realistic look at how creative outlets can help young people process their own identities.
