Last Updated Date: January 18, 2026
Photo by Ignat Kushanrev
The most compelling YA books about sisters include lesser-known contemporary mysteries like The Delinquent Hero and supernatural thrillers like Rules for Vanishing.
At a Glance:
A Tragic Mystery: The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess
An Otherworldly Rescue Attempt: Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
A Survival Story: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
Why Trust These Suggestions?
As an award-winning author and longtime blogger with over 10 years of experience analyzing YA fiction, I’ve personally curated this collection from my own bookshelves. While many lists stick to mainstream bestsellers, I’ve selected these specific titles because they offer unique insights into the complex love and rivalries in sisterhood.
(1) The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess: A Raw Look at a Grieving Sister
For readers who love “tear-jerkers” and hospital-based fiction, The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess offers a tragic and raw exploration of sisterhood, grief processing, and devastating heartbreak. This contemporary medical YA novel speaks directly to the grief of saying goodbye to a sibling.
One-sentence summary of The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess: As her older sister, Kat, dies in the ICU, Molly investigates the mystery surrounding the suspicious and tragic accident―and uncovers an unbearable truth about their bond.
The Taste Test
“I stare at my sister in this bed. She is mine. She is here, and I cannot imagine that she is not. That she will never be here again. How can it be true? I see her before me. Her chest is rising, falling, rising, falling. Her hand is warm in mine.” ― Khristina Chess from The Delinquent Hero
What Set This Apart for Me: Why It’s the Most Quietly Devastating Sisterhood Story in 2026
The Delinquent Hero is the saddest YA “sibling death” book that isn’t trending on TikTok yet. At the core is Molly—a teen desperate for answers after her older sister lands in the hospital. The investigation peels back layers of secrets, regrets, and the painful bond they’ve always shared.
What makes The Delinquent Hero truly unforgettable is its gut-wrenching puzzle—not just unraveling what happened to Molly’s sister on that fateful day, but understanding Kat herself. This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it forces you to feel every ache, every unanswered question, every regret, every desperate search for why.
The Delinquent Hero is a perfect match for readers looking for quiet, emotionally resonant stories about sisterhood, grief, and healing with low hype.
What Other Readers Are Saying about The Delinquent Hero
“I won’t spoil what happens as far as that is concerned, but be prepared to have a tissue handy. It’s a heartbreaking book that had me in tears. It’s a story of two sisters and the bond they share.” - Melody, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 5/5 stars for the depth of sisterly love and the inevitable “ugly cry”
(2) Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall: A Chilling Supernatural Sister Mystery
For readers who love spooky and atmospheric fiction, Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall provides a chilling mystery that digs deep into the bonds between sisters and the lengths one sister will go to rescue the other.
One-sentence summary for the Rules for Vanishing: A teen girl and her friends embark on a journey to find a missing sister, but they encounter supernatural danger on “The Road.”
The Taste Test
“I know Becca didn’t run away. That leaves one possibility and one impossibility, and I long for the impossible. Because if she isn’t dead, if she’s only been taken, she can be brought back.”― Kate Alice Marshall from Rules for Vanishing
What Set This Apart for Me: Rules for Vanishing Has Most Unsettling Narrative I’ve Read in Ages
Rules for Vanishing is not a typical YA novel about sisters. It is dark, mysterious, creepy, and full of scary and supernatural stuff. I loved it and devoured it in a few days. The ending was an unexpected twist, especially because of the connection to Kate Alice Marshall’s other novel, Our Last Echoes, which I recommend reading first.
The premise is simple: Sara’s adopted sister Becca vanished a year ago.
Although everyone has given up the search, Sara is determined to find her because she believes Becca has gone into the woods and is lost on The Road. Sara convinces (tricks) a group of her friends to join her on this terrifying journey.
Not everyone comes home. Because at some point they break the rules:
Don’t leave the road.
Don’t let go.
Don’t follow other roads.
What Other Readers Are Saying about Rules for Vanishing
“By now we've all read enough paranormal to fill a warehouse, this is one book that needs to be celebrated for being unique and creating the mystery and intrigue to captivate even the toughest of readers, not to mention creep us the hell out.” ― Kelly, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaways: 5/5 stars based on the outstanding pacing and atmospheric vibe.
(3) If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch: A Gritty Survival Story of Sisterly Love
If You Find Me explores the powerful love between sisters after their bipolar, meth-addicted, non-custodial mother kidnaps and then abandons them in a camper in the woods. Carey demonstrates fierce mother-love for her younger sister, and her sacrifices are heartbreaking.
One-sentence summary for If You Find Me: A haunting novel about a girl who raises her baby sister in the woods for years after being abducted by her bipolar mother.
The Taste Test
"Funny how people know what shame is, even when you don't have a name for it. No matter. It feels the same."― Emily Murdoch from If You Find Me
My Expert Take: No Wonder If You Find Me Was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Debut Goodreads Author (2013)
What an addictive novel! Within the first 20 pages, I was utterly hooked, and I spent an entire Saturday reading to the end. I had to find out what happened on the night that Janessa quit speaking. I had to understand the truth about how and why these children raised themselves in a camper in the woods with an abusive, meth-head mother. I loved every moment.
For me, the plotting was so compelling that I overlooked many inconsistencies. How did a child in the woods since she was four teach herself reading and math? Or how to shoot and kill wild game with a shotgun? I was so absorbed by the story questions that none of that mattered.
My heart went out to these sisters and their bond. I loved the patience and kindness their father and stepmother as the girls adjusted to a world with electricity, running water, appliances, and more than two pairs of jeans.
What Other Readers Are Saying about If You Find Me
“It broke my heart to see the kind of life Carey and Janessa were leading; to see how, until they were effectively rescued, they could rely on no-one but each other - indeed, it fell on Carey's shoulders to look after both herself and her sister.“― A, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 5/5 stars for the powerful bond between these abused sisters.
(4) This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis: A Sister Is Possessed by Her Evil Twin
This Darkness Mine is a must-read backlist book for fans of Mindy McGinnis’ thrilling YA novels.
One-sentence summary for This Darkness Mine: A girl begins to sense the presence of her twin who was absorbed in the womb--and who is now trying to take control.
The Taste Test
“All the stupid people I know are happy.” ― Mindy McGinnis from This Darkness Mine
My Reading Experience: A Disorienting and Strange YA about Supernatural Sibling Possession
Sasha Stone, high-achieving teen with a promising future in music, begins believing that she's sharing her body with a twin that she absorbed in her mother's womb. And, this twin sometimes takes over and does things. Things that Sasha herself would never do.
Well. Buckle up because this is a strange journey.
I began to believe that Sasha suffered from one type of mental illness, and that would explain this behavior and delusion. Then the plot took a hard left turn. And another. And in the end, I don't know WHAT happened. :-)
I love Mindy McGinnis books because she writes characters and stories that are unique. Nothing is cookie-cutter with her. In fact, Mindy McGinnis is such a great author that she’s on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she’s all-around amazing! You won’t want to miss this unusual and also heartbreaking YA book about siblings.
What Other Readers Are Saying about This Darkness Mine
“Mindy McGinnis never fails to surprise and shock me.” ― Korrina, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 4/5 stars for the weirdness factor and sibling rivalry.
(5) To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: A Lighthearted Look at Sister Rivalry
If you’re the last person on the planet to miss To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, you must go and read this comical YA book about sisterhood, pranking, and dating.
One-sentence summary for To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: A teenage girl's secret love letters are accidentally mailed to the boys, forcing her to confront her past crushes and navigate unexpected romance.
The Taste Test
“I want to say yes, but I don't want to be with a boy whose heart belongs to somebody else. Just once, I want to be somebody else's first choice.” ― Jenny Han, quote from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
My Reading Experience: The Syrupy-Sweet Romance and Sister Bonds in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Is Superb
Lara Jean is a super sweet adorable character, and even though the story seems like a common love triangle, there are enough twists to keep the pages turning. Plus, Lara Jean herself is such a star. She’s naive and on her own for the first time, and she’s making all kinds of mistakes. She’s basically a train wreck. I love her immensely. Two plot points surprised me, and I thought I had those wrapped up early on.
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, but I finished it in two sittings. Now I see why everyone’s been reading it! :-)
What Other Readers Are Saying about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
“It had so many levels, yes it was a "love story" but it also focused on the relationship between sisters and family.” ― Regan, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 5/5 stars for the cuteness factor.
(6) The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: An Emotional Contemporary Sister Tale
An award winning YA novel published in 2010, The Sky Is Everywhere uses gorgeous writing to portray a duality of grief and joy that fans of contemporary YA fiction will devour. Lennie leaves random little poems for her sister, Baily, who died suddenly of a brain bleed.
One-sentence summary for The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: A beautiful novel about a grieving girl who falls in love with two boys: the cute new kid in school and her dead sister’s boyfriend.
The Taste Test
“What kind of girl wants to kiss every boy at a funeral, wants to maul a guy in a tree after making out with her sister’s boyfriend the previous night? Speaking of which, what kind of girl makes out with her sister’s boyfriend, period?” ― Jandy Nelson from The Sky Is Everywhere
Why I’m Still Thinking About This Goodreads Choice Nominee More Than 25 Years Later
I love, love, loved this book! The writing is so lyrical, and the story is incredibly sad. It begins with protagonist Lennie, who is grieving the sudden death of her sister. Although Bailey is dead, the relationship between these siblings is very much alive on the pages of this novel. Lennie writes beautiful poems, and she spends time in their room and shares so many memories that I feel I know Bailey.
A charismatic new boy shows up at school, and Lennie ends up entering into 2 romances at the same time. This is the love triangle. One romance is with the new boy at school, and the other is with her dead sister’s grieving boyfriend. Sooner or later, she has to decide which one of these guys is the one she’s going to stick with. Oh, boy.
All of the characters are vivid, and the story is captivating. The creative visual aspect of the novel is also a nice touch; Lennie writes her poems on scraps and scatters them everywhere, and these appear at the beginning of chapters.
What Other Readers Are Saying about The Sky Is Everywhere
“This book is full of life and despite dealing with loss, it is uplifting. Beautiful story.” ― Shannon, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: My rating for The Sky Is Everywhere is 5/5 stars on second reading (updated for 2026) based on its poignant writing style.
(7) Family of Liars by E. Lockhart: A Sinister Mystery of Sister Secrets
One-sentence summary of Family of Liars: A prequel to popular We Were Liars shows that the Sinclair sisters have been liars from the beginning.
The Taste Test
"They're doing just as I asked them to. As we Sinclairs always do. Pretending. Lying. Trying to have a good time.” ― E. Lockhart from Family of Liars
My Expert Take: A Prequel That Answers Questions about Sisters and Creates More
Lockhart's prequel to We Were Liars does not disappoint! The narrator, Carrie, tells the story of the summer of the boys' visit to the island, but long before those events, there are ominous hints of what is to come. In her early teen years, for example, Carrie's father insists on a surgery to break her jaw, and an infection sets in.
But Carrie bends to his will. She is a "credit to the family."
This novel has some brilliant symbolism, a few great twists, some predictable story-lines, and other unexpected turns. I finished in 4 days because the pages turned fast and furious. I had to know the secrets these liars were keeping.
The pages are full of great details about summertime on the island. The lemon hunt was very vivid, as well as the details about clothing, food, and the picnic table. Lockhart painted a vivid sense of place, siblings, and privilege.
What Other Readers Are Saying about Family of Liars
“This family has a lot of secrets, most of which are very dark, but they always put their family first and would do anything to protect each other.” ― Zara, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 4/5 stars for the storytelling, but I loved We Were Liars (the sequel) more.
Bonus Round: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: A Heartbreaking Adult Novel about Sisters
Although this list is for the 7 most compelling YA books about sisters, I wanted to recommend The Nightingale for those who might want to venture into adult historical fiction. Kristin Hannah’s sweeping novel about sisters separated by war broke my heart.
One-sentence summary for The Nightingale: Set in occupied France during WWII, two sisters contribute to the war effort in different ways, each heroic in its own right.
The Taste Test
“Vianne didn’t hesitate. She knew now that no one could be neutral—not anymore—and as afraid as she was of risking Sophie’s life, she was suddenly more afraid of letting her daughter grow up in a world where good people did nothing to stop evil, where a good woman could turn her back on a friend in need." ― Kristin Hannah from The Nightingale
My Raw Review: Does the Storytelling of The Nightingale Match the Hype?
The Nightingale starts slowly. It takes its time with characterization and setting, but when the Germans invade Paris, the plotting picks up and doesn't stop. Two sisters give their perspective on events as they unfold. Isabelle, the impulsive one, has a heroic story to tell about saving airmen, while her older sister Vianne takes another route that is ultimately heroic in its own right. These women have a complicated family relationship, both with each other and also with their father.
For the last 150 pages, I curled up and cried and cried. Not since Elie Wiesel's Night have I been so horrified by the atrocities that the Nazis committed. Kristin Hannah does not flinch as she shows readers the brutality that Jews, French citizens, and allied fighters experienced during World War II. It's unfathomable that humans can inflict such evil on one another. That individuals rose up with such courage is astonishing. Isabella was not even twenty years old when she began her fight. Her sister had much more to lose, as did all the other French citizens who found ways to resist, to save Jewish children as their parents were forced onto trains, and all the others who didn't give up even with starvation, sickness, cold, and great loss.
If you're looking for a sweeping, moving, and inspiring historical novel about sisters, be sure to give The Nightingale a look. It's one of those powerful books that will keep me thinking for a long time.
What Other Readers Are Saying about The Nightingale
“"I have never cried so hard reading a fiction in my entire life. This book is all about family and I am a sucker for historical fiction.” ― Reading_Tamishly, Goodreads Reader
My key takeaway: 5/5 stars, but I wish I could give this 10+ stars.
Other Heartbreaking YA Books about Sisters
There are so many other popular titles to recommend:
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen - A powerful story about a teen girl who falls for possessive and physically violent boyfriend after her sister runs away.
Sadie by Courtney Summers - A girl leaves home and goes on a journey to seek justice against her sister’s killer.
The Glass Kathleen Glasgow - A lovely YA novel about a girl with a close sister relationship hitting rock bottom and finding the way through recovery.
If you are looking other heartbreaking YA books about sisters, check out the Sisters Fiction Books and Sisters Book Lists on Goodreads. You can also check out my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books, including Great YA Books about Siblings.
About the Author: Khristina Chess
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of more than a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Her novel about eating disorders, Hollow Beauty, was named a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, dystopian, and adventure.
