Books like Ask the Passengers

This book is written in verse, so the whole thing is like one long poem. The audiobook is read by the author, which I think captures the intent of the book beautifully.

Xiomara, or X, is a young girl living in Harlem who feels suffocated by her overbearing religious mother and her brilliant twin brother’s academic accomplishments. X writes poetry for her school assignments, but she also uses it as a form of diary to express the feelings she can’t otherwise. She challenges religion, her mother’s opinions, and the friends she makes at school.

One thing I really liked was how she’d write one poem for her assignment, and then the following poem would be titled “what I actually turned in.” The book uses different styles of poetry to convey different feelings and to set different scenes, and it explores a wide range of topics—from religion to dating and sex… show more.

This book tells the story of Noah, a trans teenager with a big secret—he’s the author of a popular Tumblr blog, the Meet Cute Diary. The only problem is the stories are all fake.

Noah reimagines random interactions he has with strangers into relationship meet-cutes to keep the blog alive. But when online haters begin to poke holes in his stories, Noah does whatever it takes to keep his blog safe—including inventing a fake relationship with a new friend. Over the course of the story, Noah makes many mistakes, confronts his own flaws, and discovers what it really means to fall in love.

I was initially drawn to this book because of the fake-dating premise and the Tumblr online setting. As someone who grew up on the Tumblr platform, this aspect was really fun to read about, and maybe a bit too relatable. But what really stuck with me was… show more.

This tells the story of Sana, a closeted lesbian who’s considering coming out.

Her family moves states, she meets a cute girl named Jamie, and all the signs seem to be pointing to finally giving the people in her life a little honesty. But nothing’s as simple as that. Sana’s friends don’t really like Jamie, and Jamie’s friends don’t seem to care for Sana. Her home life is strained; her dad is a cheater. And then, there’s her friend Caleb, who clearly has a crush on her. Turns out honesty is hard, no matter where you go.

I initially picked up the book because of the cute cover, thinking it would be a fun and lighthearted read. What I discovered was a much more complicated story about identity, family, friendships, and love. What really struck me about this book was how it showed the lengths a person may go to… show more.

This book tells the story of Nandan, a high school junior just looking to have a perfect year.

His plans get thrown out the window when he and his friend Dave hook up at a party. Nandan has never been interested in guys before, but he’s willing to give this a try. The only problem is that’s easier said than done. Nandan has a lot to work through and process, and there are some parts of himself he’s not willing to acknowledge yet.

Unfortunately, Dave often gets caught in the crosshairs, and it can be uncomfortable to watch Nandan take it out on him. But there’s also something reassuring about a love interest/friend who’s patient and willing to wait for you to figure yourself out. Sometimes, we’re not the best version of ourselves, and we need people to stick by us.

While the romance is part of the story, it’s… show more.

It is a classic must-read book that not only sets up an interesting, thought-provoking premise but also grounds us in the thoughts of very different teens and how they find their way to each other under a system designed to keep them apart. Malorie Blackman’s writing is concise and crisp, her gaze unflinching, and yet the book is all heart.

Kindness multiplies. These words (from the endnotes) come to life in the stirring story portrayed in I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness. The new girl in school is bullied, but another girl’s decision to walk her to school creates a community outpouring of empathy—and joy. The story itself has no words, but the illustrations offer many opportunities for discovery and discussion. One of my all-time favorites!

This book is a favorite among many parents who can relate!

This book beautifully speaks to children who feel different or left out, and as we know, that's quite a common experience. It shows the courage it takes to share your story and the power of finding connection.

I admire how it encourages kids to embrace what makes them unique and see that their differences are what make them special.

I wasn’t sure whether to include this book at first. It’s over twenty years old now - probably one of the first middle-grade titles where a character has same-sex parents. But while some attitudes feel dated, the story is still gripping and relevant. There are still many kids, like Holly, who love their families but feel like they have to keep them hidden to fit in with their friends. Holly learns that keeping secrets leads to bigger problems than the ones she was trying to avoid. Nancy Garden is a pioneer in writing for young adults about LGBTQ+ themes. She is one of my inspirations in becoming a writer. I hope each generation will continue to discover and be inspired by her work, just like I was.  

This is one of the funniest, and saddest, books ever. When Kenny starts telling the story, it’s dead winter in Flint. Michigan. Cold enough to make your spit freeze. Momma, who grew up in Alabama, begins yearning for the South. By reputation, Momma’s momma is the strictest, meanest grandma ever. Kenny - who’s never met her - decides Grandma Sands must look like a troll. Dad and Momma decide that Grandma Sands is the perfect person to straighten out big brother Byron, who shows signs of turning into a juvenile delinquent. So... Join the Watsons. Get in their car (also known as the Brown Bomber), listen to the tires roll onto I-75, and imagine what’s going to happen when Byron meets his doom.

Sometimes, a beautiful voice can be expressed through the spoken word rather than in song.

This is a lovely story about Amina, a twelve-year-old Pakistan American with perfect pitch. Amina’s best friend urges her to sign up for a solo, but Amina prefers to accompany on the piano.

I love that Hena Khan builds Amina’s acceptance of who she is! Uncle’s melodious reading of the Quran changes Amina’s attitude, and she and her brother agree to participate in a statewide Quran recitation competition.

But when their Islamic Center is vandalized, the community rallies, and Amina finds the courage to recite the opening verses at the competition.

It isn’t perfect, but what she wins is a new self-confidence to sing.