Families who loved Something's Rotten in the State of Maryland by Laura A. Sonnenmark 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 teenager feels like they are playing a role just to keep the peace or fit into a specific social circle. It is perfect for the child who is starting to realize that their interests might not align with their current group of friends and feels the mounting pressure of peer expectations. The story follows Marie, a high school junior and girlfriend of a popular athlete, who finds her own voice after a creative writing assignment forces her out of her comfort zone. Through a humorous and relatable lens, the book explores themes of self-confidence, identity, and the courage it takes to be 'true to oneself.' Parents will appreciate how it validates the awkward, often lonely transition between being who people expect you to be and who you actually are. It is a gentle, realistic look at high school social dynamics and the empowering discovery of one's own creative potential.
