Families who loved The Lost Days by Rob Reger 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 pre-teen or young teenager feels like they do not quite fit the mold and is struggling to define who they are independent of their peers. Through the lens of a stylish, amnesiac protagonist named Emily the Strange, the story explores the daunting but empowering task of rebuilding a self from scratch. It is a perfect fit for children who lean toward a darker, more eccentric aesthetic or those who enjoy solving intricate puzzles. The narrative follows Emily as she wakes up in a strange town with no memory of her past. Using only her black notebook and her sharp wit, she must piece together her identity while navigating a world of oddities and four mischievous cats. While the tone is gothic and quirky, the heart of the story deals with loneliness and the search for belonging. It is highly appropriate for ages 10 to 15, offering a safe space to explore the idea that being different is a superpower rather than a defect.