Families who loved Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis 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 is struggling with a high-conflict sibling relationship or feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to always be the peacemaker in the family. It is a powerful metaphor for empathy, following sisters Joy and Jessica who both possess the supernatural ability to hear others' secret desires. While Joy uses her gift to help, her sister uses it to destroy, leading to a dangerous breaking point. This novel addresses the heavy burdens of family secrets, the complexity of mental health, and the importance of setting boundaries for one's own well-being. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers due to its intense emotional stakes and themes of self-harm. Parents will appreciate the nuanced look at how two children in the same environment can develop vastly different coping mechanisms.