Books Like The Smile
Families who loved The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
When your teen is navigating the weight of expectation or searching for how to find peace amidst life's inevitable losses, reach for this book. It offers a meditative look at the girlhood of Monna Elisabetta, the woman who became the Mona Lisa. While it centers on historical Florence, the heart of the story is about a young woman learning to carry both grief and joy with quiet dignity. Parents might choose this for a 12 to 17 year old who appreciates historical fiction or art. It handles themes of death and unrequited love with a secular, sophisticated lens that mirrors the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a slow, beautiful exploration of resilience and how our internal world creates the outward face we show to others.
