Second Heaven, Judith Guest's second novel, released in 1982, explores themes similar to those in Ordinary People. Central to the story is a troubled teenager trying to break free from his abusive father, aided by his lawyer and a recently divorced woman who provides him shelter.

Errands, published in 1997 by Judith Guest, continues to delve into the struggles of suburban life, focusing on the challenges of connection and healing after the death of a father and husband.

Girl, Interrupted, a memoir by Susanna Kaysen from 1993, recounts her experience of being hospitalized for depression at eighteen and her journey from being a mental patient to becoming a functional adult.

A Separate Peace (1959), authored by John Knowles, delicately portrays the friendship between two adolescent boys at a New England prep school during World War II. Their bond is tragically affected when one of them dies in an accident.

A Map of the World (1994), written by Jane Hamilton, examines the profound impact of a child's death on two families and the surrounding community.

The Autobiography of My Mother is Jamaica Kincaid's 1995 novel about an adult woman’s quest to understand and love her deceased mother while grappling with the disappointment she felt in their relationship.