Families who loved Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw 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 feels more at home in online communities than in the high school cafeteria. It is a sharp, funny, and deeply relatable look at the life of Scarlett Epstein, a cynical yet creative girl who processes her social frustrations by writing fanfiction about her classmates. While the book captures the sting of unrequited crushes and the loneliness of being the 'weird kid,' it also celebrates the unconventional friendships that can ground us. Parents should be aware of realistic teen language and sexual frankness, but the heart of the story is about finding the courage to be vulnerable in real life. It is an excellent choice for supporting a teen who is struggling to balance their digital identity with their physical reality.