Books Like What Daddy Did
Families who loved What Daddy Did by Neal Shusterman 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 What Daddy Did by Neal Shusterman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent or educator would reach for this book when a teenager is struggling with the paradox of loving someone who has caused profound harm or when a family is navigating the aftermath of severe trauma. This story addresses the impossible tension between grief and forgiveness through the eyes of fourteen year old Preston, who must decide how to relate to his father after his release from prison for killing Preston's mother. It is a raw and honest exploration of domestic tragedy and the slow, messy process of reclamation. While the premise is heavy, the narrative focuses on the psychological journey of the survivor rather than the violence of the past. It is best suited for older middle grade readers and young adults who are ready to grapple with deep moral ambiguity and the reality that some questions do not have easy answers. By reading this, a teen can see their own complex feelings of anger, shame, and conflicting loyalty reflected in a way that feels authentic and non judgmental.
