Books Like Release
Families who loved Release by Patrick Ness 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 Release by Patrick Ness 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 struggling to reconcile their authentic self with the rigid expectations of a conservative or religious household. It is specifically for the child who feels like they are living a double life or carrying a heavy burden of family expectation and shame. The story follows Adam Thorn through a single, transformative day as he navigates a complex breakup, a workplace harassment incident, and the suffocating pressure of his father's evangelical ministry. While the book contains a secondary supernatural thread involving a ghost, its core is a deeply realistic exploration of self-acceptance and the messy process of 'releasing' oneself from the past. It is an intense, sophisticated read for older teens that validates the difficulty of growing up in an environment where you are not fully seen or accepted. Parents might choose this to open a dialogue about boundaries, identity, and the courage it takes to define one's own values.
