Families who loved Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls by Betsy Franco often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their teenage daughter feels misunderstood or is struggling to articulate her complex feelings. This collection is a raw and authentic window into the minds of adolescent girls, featuring poems and prose written by teens themselves. It covers universal themes like identity, friendship, family conflict, loneliness, and body image. Appropriate for ages 12 and up, it’s a powerful tool for validation. It shows a teen she is not alone in her turbulent emotions and can open the door for conversations she may not know how to start.
