Kelly Loy Gilbert writes thoughtful and emotionally powerful young adult fiction. Her notable novels include Picture Us In The Light and Conviction, which explore complex family dynamics and identity themes.
If you enjoy reading books by Kelly Loy Gilbert then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Kelly Loy Gilbert's thoughtful portrayals of relationships and identity, Nicola Yoon might be an author you'll appreciate. Her books often explore love, family connections, and the complexities of growing up.
In Everything, Everything, Yoon creates a heartfelt story about Maddy, a teenage girl whose severe allergies keep her indoors until she falls for the boy next door, bringing curiosity, risk, and possibility into her life.
Jasmine Warga writes empathetic novels that deal sensitively with themes like mental health, immigration, and the search for identity. Much like Kelly Loy Gilbert, Warga's storytelling feels heartfelt and authentic.
Her notable book, Other Words for Home, follows Jude, a Syrian girl adjusting to life in America and experiencing hardships, hope, and self-discovery.
If you appreciate Gilbert's honest exploration of complex emotions and relationships, Nina LaCour might become a favorite. Her novels gently capture themes of grief, loneliness, friendship, and self-discovery.
We Are Okay is one of LaCour's memorable works, beautifully telling the quiet yet powerful story of Marin, a college student dealing with loss and learning to reconnect with people and herself.
Jeff Zentner's novels speak openly and compassionately about friendship, loss, and resilience in small towns, similar in tone to Kelly Loy Gilbert's heartfelt, character-driven stories. His writing touches on the complexities of adolescence with honesty and insight.
The Serpent King showcases Zentner's ability to weave thoughtful, powerful narratives through the lives of three friends navigating faith, family expectations, and defining moments.
Randy Ribay shares Kelly Loy Gilbert's skill at addressing identity, culture, family, and growing up between multiple worlds. His stories offer an authentic look into adolescents' search for truth and belonging.
In Patron Saints of Nothing, Ribay introduces Jay, a Filipino-American teenager journeying to the Philippines to uncover the truth behind his cousin's death, which allows him to explore important questions about identity, family, and justice.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes powerful stories through vivid poetic language. Her books explore identity, culture, and the search for meaning and belonging.
In The Poet X, Acevedo crafts a story about Xiomara, a teenager who discovers slam poetry as a way to find her voice and express her truth.
Like Kelly Loy Gilbert, Acevedo creates relatable, realistic characters struggling with family expectations and finding their place in the world.
Angie Thomas is known for her authentic voice and thoughtful exploration of social issues. She brings readers deep into her characters' emotional lives with honesty and insight.
Her novel The Hate U Give follows sixteen-year-old Starr as she grapples with witnessing the police shooting of her best friend and the powerful activism that follows.
Fans of Gilbert's emotionally nuanced stories that deal with tough choices and complex social dynamics would certainly appreciate Thomas.
Erika L. Sánchez writes clear, lyrical, and moving narratives that center around family dynamics, identity struggles, and mental health.
Her novel I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter follows Julia, a Mexican-American teenager navigating grief, family relationships, and cultural pressures after her sister's death.
Sánchez, similar to Gilbert, portrays honest accounts of young adults caught between opposing cultural and personal expectations.
Adam Silvera’s stories blend elements of realism with moments of speculative wonder in richly emotional ways. His characters face deep internal challenges related to loss, love, identity, and growing up.
Silvera's They Both Die at the End explores how two young men choose to spend their final day after receiving news from a futuristic service that warns people of their death.
Readers who enjoy Gilbert's attention to character psychology, thoughtful exploration of identity, and emotional honesty will find resonance in Silvera’s writing.
Courtney Summers crafts unflinching, truthful narratives that confront complicated experiences, especially those of emotional upheaval and injustice.
Her novel Sadie follows a young woman determined to find her sister's killer, told partly through her own journey and partly through a podcast that is investigating her disappearance.
Summers, like Gilbert, often explores emotionally challenging topics, bringing genuine honesty and depth into tough themes.
Ibi Zoboi writes with sensitivity and an authentic voice, exploring themes of cultural identity, belonging, and relationships. Her characters often navigate challenges like immigration and prejudice, discovering resilience and courage along the way.
Her novel American Street follows a Haitian teenager adjusting to life in Detroit, blending realism with a touch of magical storytelling.
Jason Reynolds connects deeply with readers through relatable characters, raw honesty, and powerful storytelling. He often explores issues of identity, friendship, racial justice, and family struggles.
In his novel Long Way Down, he brings powerful verse and vivid imagery to a story about grief, revenge, and making hard choices.
Jandy Nelson writes emotional, heartfelt stories with vivid imagery and poetic language. Her characters grapple with love, loss, family secrets, and self-discovery.
In I'll Give You the Sun, a pair of twins struggle with grief, love, and misunderstanding, with a story told from their separate perspectives that ultimately intertwines beautifully.
Jennifer Niven crafts touching, deeply emotional novels that tackle mental health, self-discovery, and the complexities of teenage life. Her relatable characters confront challenging situations with honesty and compassion.
Her book All the Bright Places sensitively portrays two adolescents—each with their own inner struggles—who come together and profoundly influence each other's lives.
Becky Albertalli writes engaging, heartwarming Young Adult novels full of humor and sincerity. With relatable characters and genuine dialogue, she explores LGBTQ+ identity, friendship, and the awkward yet wonderful experience of growing up.
Her novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda offers readers a witty and thoughtful look at first love, friendship, and self-acceptance.