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Combine common axes
These books are ranked using the characterization labels extracted for Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands.
Characterization labels used: teen girl protagonist, troubled teen, runaway, homeless teen, orphan, survivor, impulsive, resilient, resourceful, vulnerable, unreliable narrator, self-destructive, wise beyond years, young boy companion, scapegoat figure
Focused on “protective caretaker” where exact label matches exist.
This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization embeddings are close.
A runaway teen and an extraordinarily smart dog flee ruthless pursuers, finding danger, secrets, and family on the road.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen heroine · runaway teen · homeless protagonist · streetwise · resourceful · witty · vulnerable · tough · grieving vet · widower · bereaved adult · sympathetic villain · intelligent animal · loyal companion · emotionally wounded
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1347
A short prequel comic follows teenage Ellie’s first steps beyond the walls as she befriends Riley and meets the Fireflies.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · troubled teen · rebellious · survivalist · vulnerable · snarky · resourceful · female friendship · young rebel · complex leader
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1359
In a climate-ravaged future, a teenage refugee must travel north with a silent boy while borders, law, and conscience close in.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen girl protagonist · resourceful heroine · hardened survivor · traumatized protagonist · mature beyond age · strong-willed · pragmatic · emotionally guarded · moral conflict · mute child · silent companion · young refugee · illegal immigrant · grandmother · fearful but brave · self-preserving
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1364
Teen guerrillas shelter feral orphans in wartime Australia, but their refuge, loyalties, and safety all come under threat.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonists · flawed heroine · resilient teens · traumatized children · orphan characters · group dynamic · guardianship role · maturing under pressure · emotionally damaged · resourceful survivors
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1422
A fierce teenage wanderer crosses a zombie-ravaged America, chasing survival, redemption, and a place to belong.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen survivor · female protagonist · illiterate heroine · lone wanderer · capable fighter · resourceful · damaged · guilt-ridden · philosophical · self-sufficient · fierce · naive · feral · honorable · compassionate · hard-edged · complex heroine · mute companion · vengeful pursuer · disabled companion
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1557
A teen survivor of a deadly flu must endure a Wisconsin winter alone, with only a dog and hope for company.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · lonely survivor · ordinary kid · resourceful · caring · empathetic · non-heroic · not a prepper · not a gun nut · morally grounded · emotionally vulnerable · frightened · resilient · self-taught · animal lover · bookish
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1589
In a climate-ravaged future, a boy guarding a seed vault in Svalbard faces catastrophe as another survivor heads north.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · young adult caretaker · grandmother figure · seed guardian · survivor · parentified child · morally burdened · resilient · stubborn · traumatized · responsible older sibling
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1608
A hereditary disease born from a cancer cure forces one young woman to confront stigma, control, and survival.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen girl · young woman · disabled protagonist · outcast · survivor · resilient · persevering · traumatized · morally burdened · controlled by disease · caretaker role · physically and mentally unstable patients
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1638
A hidden stowaway in deep space is taken by alien captors and must survive by learning their language and loyalties.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · stowaway · resourceful heroine · brave heroine · young girl · captor-captive dynamic · survivor · outsider · rebel · smart protagonist · flawed protagonist · strong female lead · compelling narrator · emotionally driven
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1654
A brief prequel follows Viola’s journey to a new planet, revealing the emotional backstory behind her arrival.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · stubborn teen · fearful protagonist · survival skills · intelligent heroine · emotional vulnerability · normal teen life · protective parents · settler child
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1656
A teenage survivor of killer rain hunts for her family and stumbles into an army secret that could change everything.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: teen protagonist · sarcastic narrator · self-centered teen · vain heroine · immature protagonist · character growth · brave heroine · resourceful survivor · love interest · supporting misfits · mute child · fugitive heroine
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1657
A traumatized plane-crash survivor begins seeing visions and uncovers a supernatural mystery tied to two boys and her own identity.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: traumatized heroine · teen girl · orphaned protagonist · strong-willed heroine · unreliable narrator · socially withdrawn · brave · clever · loyal · cautious · shy · mysterious love interest · best friend love interest · mentor therapist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1662
