Wide Awake Now

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to feel seen or is navigating the disorienting waters of first love and self-discovery. It is an ideal choice for a child who feels like an outsider or is questioning how their identity fits into the traditional social structures of high school. The story follows a protagonist who wakes up in a different body every day, providing a profound metaphor for the universal teenage experience of trying on different versions of oneself. While it contains elements of fantasy, the emotional core is deeply realistic and grounded in themes of empathy, loneliness, and the search for a lasting connection. It is age-appropriate for high schoolers (14-18) and offers a compassionate, secular lens through which to discuss gender, sexuality, and the essence of the human soul. Parents will appreciate how it normalizes the feeling of being 'different' and encourages teenagers to look past physical appearances to see the person within.