Books Like The Rock in My Throat
Families who loved The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang 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 The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang 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 child seems to have two different personalities: one who is vibrant and talkative at home, and another who is completely frozen and silent in public or at school. This moving memoir explores the internal world of a young Hmong immigrant girl who experiences selective mutism. It validates the physical sensation of anxiety, described as a heavy rock in the throat, and shows that silence is often a protective shell rather than a lack of things to say. Parents will find this a vital tool for supporting children who feel 'different' or who struggle with social anxiety and the pressure to perform. It frames the child's silence not as a behavioral problem to be fixed, but as a journey of self-preservation and gradual courage. Ideal for children ages 5 to 9, it provides a gentle bridge to discuss big feelings, the immigrant experience, and the quiet strength found in family love.
