Families who loved The Diviners by Libba Bray 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 an outsider in their own community or is struggling to balance their unique talents with social expectations. This supernatural historical mystery follows Evie O'Neill, a vivacious girl with a secret 'gift' for reading objects, as she is sent from her stifling Ohio hometown to the vibrant, dangerous world of 1920s New York City. Living with her eccentric uncle who runs a museum of the occult, she finds herself at the center of a chilling serial killer investigation involving an ancient, awakened evil. The story masterfully explores themes of identity, the weight of family grief, and the search for belonging within a diverse cast of characters. While it offers a glamorous look at the Jazz Age, it doesn't shy away from the darker realities of the era, including racism, poverty, and the looming shadows of the past. It is an excellent choice for mature teens who enjoy complex world-building, high-stakes mystery, and stories about finding one's chosen family.