Family

Leo Tolstoy famously begins the novel Anna Karenina with the sentence: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." In this thematic collection, we have gathered noteworthy texts that navigate the joyous and sorrowful emotional terrain of the family unit.

Hum If You Don't Know the Words

by Bianca Marais

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Revenge, Race, Coming of Age, Death, Future, The Past, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, Arts & Culture, Historical Fiction, Race & Racism

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Hummingbird

by Natalie Lloyd

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Disability, Family, Friendship, Perseverance, Hope, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Health, Disability

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Hush

by Jacqueline Woodson

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Perseverance, Justice, Hope, Loneliness, Mental Health, Race, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

by Erika L. Sanchez

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is Erika L. Sánchez’s debut novel. Published in 2017, the book is a young adult coming-of-age story set in contemporary Chicago. It is told from the perspective of 15-year-old Julia Reyes as she navigates her grief and struggles with mental health, familial relationships, and cultural expectations after her older sister Olga’s unexpected death. The book has won several awards, including the Thomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award... Read I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Summary

Icebreaker

by Hannah Grace

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Teamwork, Family, Love

Tags Romance, New Adult, Sports, Trauma & Abuse, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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If It Bleeds

by Stephen King

Publication year 2020

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Fear, Coming of Age, Midlife, Appearance & Reality, Family, Self Discovery, Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy

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If You Tell

by Gregg Olsen

Publication year 2019

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Siblings, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Crime & Law, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Biography

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen is narrative nonfiction true crime book published in 2019. It documents the story of Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek, sisters who survived living with their mother, Shelly Knotek, who would ultimately be responsible for the infamous Raymond torture killings in Washington State. Olsen specializes in writing crime-related narratives about people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances... Read If You Tell Summary