Families who loved Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno 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 feeling like the odd one out in a family of high achievers, or when they are struggling with the anxiety of meeting a predetermined milestone. It is a story about Georgina, a young woman living on an island where every female in her family develops a unique magical gift by their eighteenth birthday. As her own birthday approaches with no sign of magic, she must navigate feelings of inadequacy, a budding romance, and a dark mystery involving a rare bird. This book explores deep themes of identity, comparison, and the heavy weight of family legacy. While it contains elements of fantasy, it is rooted in the realistic emotional landscape of late adolescence. It is most appropriate for older teens due to its exploration of grief and a subplot involving sexual assault, making it a powerful tool for discussing resilience and the different forms strength can take.