Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear

Reach for this book when your teenager feels overlooked or is struggling to find their place within the family, especially in transracial adoption or multicultural dynamics. It speaks to the heavy quietness of a child who feels invisible even when surrounded by love, and it offers a powerful roadmap for claiming one's own voice during a crisis. The story follows Sid, a Korean adoptee living in a supernatural town, who must step out of the shadows of her seemingly perfect family when a magical disaster strikes. While the plot is a fast-paced supernatural thriller, the heart of the book is a deeply relatable exploration of identity and belonging. Parents of older teens will appreciate how it handles complex feelings of 'otherness' with maturity and hope, making it an excellent choice for readers navigating the high stakes of late adolescence.