Families who loved Slow Burn by Bethany Rutter 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 struggling with body image, feels pressured to change their physical appearance to fit in, or is facing subtle bullying from family members. It is an essential resource for parents who want to validate that their child's worth is not tied to a number on a scale or their athletic performance. The story follows sixteen-year-old Ruby, a confident plus-size girl who loves her life until her brother's cutting remarks push her to sign up for a 5K race to prove a point. While the plot involves sports and a sweet blossoming romance with the boy next door, the heart of the book is about reclaiming one's narrative and setting healthy boundaries. It is a joyful, secular, and highly affirming contemporary novel that models how to handle 'fat-shaming' with grace and strength without compromising one's self-love.