Families who loved This Train Is Being Held by Ismée Williams 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 struggling to reconcile the person they are at home with the person they feel they must be to succeed in the world. It is a nuanced contemporary romance that explores the heavy weight of parental expectations, particularly within Latino families, through the eyes of two teens from very different backgrounds who meet on a New York City subway. The story addresses themes of mental health, systemic prejudice, and the courage it takes to pursue a dream that differs from a parent's vision. Due to its mature handling of anxiety, racism, and romantic intimacy, it is best suited for readers aged 14 and up who are navigating their own paths toward independence.