37 Books like Before the Ever After

After the Shot Drops

by Randy Ribay

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

4.13

3k+

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

After the Shot Drops 91%

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

by Randy Ribay 2018

4.13

3k+ ratings

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound 94%

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Aniana del Mar Jumps In

by Jasminne Mendez • 2023

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

4.02

895

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

Aniana del Mar Jumps In 93%

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

by Jasminne Mendez 2023

4.02

895 ratings

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

Game Face

by Shari Green • 2023

A goalie's anxiety spirals after his best friend collapses, and silence is no longer an option.

4.26

226

📖 Verse Novel 🏒 Hockey Fiction 😰 Anxious Protagonist 👬 Male Friendship 💔 Grief And Loss

Game Face 93%

A goalie's anxiety spirals after his best friend collapses, and silence is no longer an option.

by Shari Green 2023

4.26

226 ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🏒 Hockey Fiction 😰 Anxious Protagonist 👬 Male Friendship 💔 Grief And Loss

Bouncing Back

by Scott Ostler • 2019

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

4.05

220

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

Bouncing Back 93%

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

by Scott Ostler 2019

4.05

220 ratings

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper • 2018

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

4.16

20k+

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Blended 92%

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

by Sharon M. Draper 2018

4.16

20k+ ratings

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Red, White, and Whole

by Rajani LaRocca • 2021

Reha's world splits between American school and Indian home. Then cancer tests both.

4.40

8k+

📖 Verse Novel 💔 Parent With Cancer 🌏 Dual Identity 🇮🇳 Indian American Experience 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond

Red, White, and Whole 91%

Reha's world splits between American school and Indian home. Then cancer tests both.

by Rajani LaRocca 2021

4.40

8k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 💔 Parent With Cancer 🌏 Dual Identity 🇮🇳 Indian American Experience 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond

The Skin I'm In

by Sharon G. Flake • 2000

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

4.16

17k+

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

The Skin I'm In 91%

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

by Sharon G. Flake 2000

4.16

17k+ ratings

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

Falling Short

by Ernesto Cisneros • 2022

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

4.05

2k+

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Falling Short 91%

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

by Ernesto Cisneros 2022

4.05

2k+ ratings

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

4.46

4k+

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman 91%

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

by Gennifer Choldenko 2024

4.46

4k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

Punching the Air

by Ibi Zoboi • 2020

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

4.39

24k+

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

Punching the Air 91%

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

by Ibi Zoboi 2020

4.39

24k+ ratings

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

Kiki and Jacques

by Susan Ross • 2015

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

3.74

151

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Kiki and Jacques 91%

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

by Susan Ross 2015

3.74

151 ratings

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Forget Me Not

by Ellie Terry • 2017

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

3.91

16k+

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Forget Me Not 91%

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

by Ellie Terry 2017

3.91

16k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Black Brother, Black Brother

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2020

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

4.17

8k+

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Black Brother, Black Brother 90%

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2020

4.17

8k+ ratings

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Shark Girl

by Kelly Bingham • 2007

A shark takes her drawing arm. Now she must learn who she is without it.

3.85

4k+

🖋️ Novel In Verse 🦾 Acquired Disability 🎨 Artist Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🕊️ Quiet And Lyrical

Shark Girl 90%

A shark takes her drawing arm. Now she must learn who she is without it.

by Kelly Bingham 2007

3.85

4k+ ratings

🖋️ Novel In Verse 🦾 Acquired Disability 🎨 Artist Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🕊️ Quiet And Lyrical

Guitar Notes

by Mary Amato • 2012

A cellist and guitarist trade notes in a practice room that become their only honest conversations.

4.04

6k+

🎵 Musical Coming Of Age 🎻 Opposites Attract 📝 Secret Friendship 😰 Parental Pressure 🎶 Music As Healing

Guitar Notes 90%

A cellist and guitarist trade notes in a practice room that become their only honest conversations.

by Mary Amato 2012

4.04

6k+ ratings

🎵 Musical Coming Of Age 🎻 Opposites Attract 📝 Secret Friendship 😰 Parental Pressure 🎶 Music As Healing

Other Words for Home

by Jasmine Warga • 2019

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

4.40

35k+

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Other Words for Home 90%

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

by Jasmine Warga 2019

4.40

35k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Small Worlds

by Caleb Azumah Nelson • 2023

A London trumpeter carries a love he cannot name and a father's silence in his chest.

4.26

12k+

🎷 Jazz-Infused Narrative 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Diaspora 💕 Friends To Lovers 👨‍👦 Father Son Reconciliation 🫂 Chosen Family

Small Worlds 90%

A London trumpeter carries a love he cannot name and a father's silence in his chest.

by Caleb Azumah Nelson 2023

4.26

12k+ ratings

🎷 Jazz-Infused Narrative 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Diaspora 💕 Friends To Lovers 👨‍👦 Father Son Reconciliation 🫂 Chosen Family

We Are All So Good at Smiling

by Amber McBride • 2023

After a psych ward, two magical teens discover their sorrow has become a haunted forest.

3.83

6k+

📖 Verse Novel 🧚 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Hoodoo Magic 🖤 Teen Depression 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital

We Are All So Good at Smiling 90%

After a psych ward, two magical teens discover their sorrow has become a haunted forest.

by Amber McBride 2023

3.83

6k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🧚 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Hoodoo Magic 🖤 Teen Depression 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish 90%

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Red Pencil

by Andrea Davis Pinkney • 2014

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

3.9

7k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

The Red Pencil 90%

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2014

3.9

7k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

Scorpions

by Walter Dean Myers • 1995

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

3.8

3k+

🏙️ Gritty Young Adult 🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost

Scorpions 90%

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

by Walter Dean Myers 1995

3.8

3k+ ratings

🏙️ Gritty Young Adult 🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost

The Science of Breakable Things

by Tae Keller • 2018

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

4.12

5k+

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

The Science of Breakable Things 89%

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

by Tae Keller 2018

4.12

5k+ ratings

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan • 2013

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

4.14

88k+

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Counting by 7s 89%

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

by Holly Goldberg Sloan 2013

4.14

88k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Impulse

by Ellen Hopkins • 2007

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

4.25

83k+

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

Impulse 89%

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

by Ellen Hopkins 2007

4.25

83k+ ratings

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper • 2010

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

4.34

191k+

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

Out of My Mind 89%

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

by Sharon M. Draper 2010

4.34

191k+ ratings

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

Strike Zone

by Mike Lupica • 2019

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

4.17

397

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

Strike Zone 89%

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

by Mike Lupica 2019

4.17

397 ratings

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

The Silver Linings Playbook

by Matthew Quick • 2008

Leaving the psych ward, Pat believes his wife will return; a blunt widow shadows his runs.

3.98

163k+

🎭 Unreliable Narrator 🩹 Recovery Journey 🔗 Trauma Bonding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏚️ Family Dysfunction

The Silver Linings Playbook 89%

Leaving the psych ward, Pat believes his wife will return; a blunt widow shadows his runs.

by Matthew Quick 2008

3.98

163k+ ratings

🎭 Unreliable Narrator 🩹 Recovery Journey 🔗 Trauma Bonding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏚️ Family Dysfunction

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You 89%

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

Notes from the Midnight Driver

by Jordan Sonnenblick • 2006

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

4.05

10k+

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

Notes from the Midnight Driver 89%

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

by Jordan Sonnenblick 2006

4.05

10k+ ratings

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo • 2001

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

3.84

33k+

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

The Tiger Rising 89%

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

by Kate DiCamillo 2001

3.84

33k+ ratings

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

A Short History of the Girl Next Door

by Jared Reck • 2017

A teen's unspoken love for his best friend becomes gutting grief after a car crash.

3.85

8k+

💔 Unrequited Love 🚗 Car Accident Tragedy 🥀 Grief And Guilt 🏀 Basketball 👥 Friendship Grief

A Short History of the Girl Next Door Summary

A Short History of the Girl Next Door 89%

A teen's unspoken love for his best friend becomes gutting grief after a car crash.

by Jared Reck 2017

3.85

8k+ ratings

💔 Unrequited Love 🚗 Car Accident Tragedy 🥀 Grief And Guilt 🏀 Basketball 👥 Friendship Grief

Miles Morales Suspended

by Jason Reynolds • 2023

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

3.81

1k+

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

Miles Morales Suspended 89%

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

by Jason Reynolds 2023

3.81

1k+ ratings

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

Heartache and Hope

by Jay McLean • 2019

A mother broken by war. A basketball dream. Two teens collide, knowing love cannot save them.

4.07

10k+

🏫 High School Romance ⏰ Right Person Wrong Time 💔 Bittersweet Ending 👥 Dual Pov 🩺 Young Caregiver

Heartache and Hope 89%

A mother broken by war. A basketball dream. Two teens collide, knowing love cannot save them.

by Jay McLean 2019

4.07

10k+ ratings

🏫 High School Romance ⏰ Right Person Wrong Time 💔 Bittersweet Ending 👥 Dual Pov 🩺 Young Caregiver

Money Hungry

by Sharon G. Flake • 2001

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

4.10

4k+

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

Money Hungry 89%

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

by Sharon G. Flake 2001

4.10

4k+ ratings

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

All My Rage

by Sabaa Tahir • 2022

Sal sells drugs to save his motel, hiding it from Noor, the girl he loves.

4.48

66k+

🌄 Immigrant Dreams 🕌 Pakistani-American 💞 Friends To Lovers 🍺 Parent With Addiction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

All My Rage 89%

Sal sells drugs to save his motel, hiding it from Noor, the girl he loves.

by Sabaa Tahir 2022

4.48

66k+ ratings

🌄 Immigrant Dreams 🕌 Pakistani-American 💞 Friends To Lovers 🍺 Parent With Addiction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

Heroine

by Mindy McGinnis • 2019

A softball catcher starts OxyContin to heal. She keeps using it to hide.

4.28

14k+

🖤 Teen Addiction 🦴 Sports Injury 💊 Opioid Addiction 🥎 Athlete Protagonist 🎭 Unreliable Narrator

Heroine 89%

A softball catcher starts OxyContin to heal. She keeps using it to hide.

by Mindy McGinnis 2019

4.28

14k+ ratings

🖤 Teen Addiction 🦴 Sports Injury 💊 Opioid Addiction 🥎 Athlete Protagonist 🎭 Unreliable Narrator

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