50 Books like Falling Short

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 92%

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

Mexican WhiteBoy

by Matt de la Peña • 2008

Half-Mexican, can't speak Spanish, he spends a summer in his father's barrio, looking for home.

3.85

6k+

🌗 Biracial Identity 👤 Absent Father 🤝 Unlikely Friendship ⚾ Baseball Fiction 🌴 Southern California

Mexican WhiteBoy 93%

Half-Mexican, can't speak Spanish, he spends a summer in his father's barrio, looking for home.

by Matt de la Peña 2008

3.85

6k+ ratings

🌗 Biracial Identity 👤 Absent Father 🤝 Unlikely Friendship ⚾ Baseball Fiction 🌴 Southern California

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 92%

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 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 92%

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

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 92%

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

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 91%

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

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After 91%

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Furia

by Yamile Saied Méndez • 2020

Camila's fútbol genius must stay hidden. Her famous ex's return threatens the double life she built.

4.14

15k+

🎭 Sports Drama ⚽ Girls In Sports 💕 Childhood Friends To Lovers 🤫 Secret Life 💔 Abusive Parent

Furia 91%

Camila's fútbol genius must stay hidden. Her famous ex's return threatens the double life she built.

by Yamile Saied Méndez 2020

4.14

15k+ ratings

🎭 Sports Drama ⚽ Girls In Sports 💕 Childhood Friends To Lovers 🤫 Secret Life 💔 Abusive Parent

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 90%

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

We Are All Made of Molecules

by Susin Nielsen • 2015

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

3.82

17k+

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

We Are All Made of Molecules 90%

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

by Susin Nielsen 2015

3.82

17k+ ratings

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

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 90%

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

Priklijuoti

by John David Anderson • 2017

A sticky-note war turns Eric's middle-school crew into targets and their words into weapons.

3.90

9k+

🎭 Middle School Drama 🆕 New Kid In School 📝 Power Of Words ⚠️ School Bullying 👥 Friend Group Dynamics

Priklijuoti 90%

A sticky-note war turns Eric's middle-school crew into targets and their words into weapons.

by John David Anderson 2017

3.90

9k+ ratings

🎭 Middle School Drama 🆕 New Kid In School 📝 Power Of Words ⚠️ School Bullying 👥 Friend Group Dynamics

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

Antes de diciembre

by Joana Marcús • 2021

Her boyfriend demanded freedom. The boy next door made her want to close every door.

4.36

138k+

🎓 College Romance 💔 Toxic First Love 🩹 Addiction Recovery 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏚️ Family Trauma

Antes de diciembre 90%

Her boyfriend demanded freedom. The boy next door made her want to close every door.

by Joana Marcús 2021

4.36

138k+ ratings

🎓 College Romance 💔 Toxic First Love 🩹 Addiction Recovery 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏚️ Family Trauma

Hello, Universe

by Erin Entrada Kelly • 2017

A deaf girl and psychic hunt for the shy boy a bully trapped in a well.

3.92

26k+

🦻 Deaf Protagonist 👥 Multiple Perspectives 🏘️ Neighborhood Adventure 💪 Quiet Courage 🐹 Animal Companion

Hello, Universe 90%

A deaf girl and psychic hunt for the shy boy a bully trapped in a well.

by Erin Entrada Kelly 2017

3.92

26k+ ratings

🦻 Deaf Protagonist 👥 Multiple Perspectives 🏘️ Neighborhood Adventure 💪 Quiet Courage 🐹 Animal Companion

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 90%

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

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

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 90%

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

Room to Dream

by Kelly Yang • 2021

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

4.37

6k+

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Room to Dream 90%

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

by Kelly Yang 2021

4.37

6k+ ratings

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

by Chanel Miller • 2024

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

4.18

4k+

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All 90%

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

by Chanel Miller 2024

4.18

4k+ ratings

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

The New Girl

by Meg Cabot • 2008

Allie Finkle starts a new school with a pirate-costumed brother, and a bully wants to fight.

3.86

3k+

🏫 New Kid 🤝 Bully Redemption 🐱 Pet Adoption 👭 Girl Friend Group 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quirky Family

The New Girl 90%

Allie Finkle starts a new school with a pirate-costumed brother, and a bully wants to fight.

by Meg Cabot 2008

3.86

3k+ ratings

🏫 New Kid 🤝 Bully Redemption 🐱 Pet Adoption 👭 Girl Friend Group 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quirky Family

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend

by Michelle Cuevas • 2017

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

4.19

3k+

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend Summary

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend 90%

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

by Michelle Cuevas 2017

4.19

3k+ ratings

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

The Dreamer

by Pam Muñoz Ryan • 2010

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

3.98

8k+

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Dreamer 90%

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

by Pam Muñoz Ryan 2010

3.98

8k+ ratings

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Seventh Wish

by Kate Messner • 2016

Charlie catches a magic fish that grants wishes, but no wish can cure her sister's heroin addiction.

4.17

4k+

🐟 Wish Goes Wrong 💔 Family Addiction 💃 Competitive Dance 👭 Sister Bond Tested 🫂 Bittersweet Family Story

The Seventh Wish 89%

Charlie catches a magic fish that grants wishes, but no wish can cure her sister's heroin addiction.

by Kate Messner 2016

4.17

4k+ ratings

🐟 Wish Goes Wrong 💔 Family Addiction 💃 Competitive Dance 👭 Sister Bond Tested 🫂 Bittersweet Family Story

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

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 92%

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

Way of the Warrior Kid

by Jocko Willink • 2017

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

4.51

5k+

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

Way of the Warrior Kid 92%

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

by Jocko Willink 2017

4.51

5k+ ratings

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

Restart

by Gordon Korman

After a fall erases his memory, a boy discovers he was his school's worst bully.

4.18

52k+

🧠 Amnesia 💔 Bully Redemption 🏫 Middle School Life 🫂 Found Family 👴 Intergenerational Bond

Restart 89%

After a fall erases his memory, a boy discovers he was his school's worst bully.

by Gordon Korman 2017

4.18

52k+ ratings

🧠 Amnesia 💔 Bully Redemption 🏫 Middle School Life 🫂 Found Family 👴 Intergenerational Bond

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie • 2007

A Spokane cartoonist transfers to an all-white school, becoming a stranger in both worlds.

4.05

286k+

🏠 Reservation Life 🎭 Dual Identity 🌿 Indigenous Coming Of Age 🏀 Sports And Identity 🖤 Dark Humor

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Summary

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 89%

A Spokane cartoonist transfers to an all-white school, becoming a stranger in both worlds.

by Sherman Alexie 2007

4.05

286k+ ratings

🏠 Reservation Life 🎭 Dual Identity 🌿 Indigenous Coming Of Age 🏀 Sports And Identity 🖤 Dark Humor

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea • 2010

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

4.35

46k+

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Because of Mr. Terupt 89%

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

by Rob Buyea 2010

4.35

46k+ ratings

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Hurricane Child

by Kacen Callender • 2018

Haunted by a spirit and her absent mother, an island girl falls for the new student.

3.78

5k+

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Middle Grade 💖 First Queer Crush 🌴 Caribbean Setting 👻 Spirits And Ghosts 💔 Missing Mother

Hurricane Child 89%

Haunted by a spirit and her absent mother, an island girl falls for the new student.

by Kacen Callender 2018

3.78

5k+ ratings

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Middle Grade 💖 First Queer Crush 🌴 Caribbean Setting 👻 Spirits And Ghosts 💔 Missing Mother

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

Auggie & Me

by R.J. Palacio • 2015

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

4.27

42k+

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Auggie & Me 89%

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

by R.J. Palacio 2015

4.27

42k+ ratings

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

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 89%

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

The Star Outside My Window

by Onjali Q. Raúf • 2019

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

4.31

3k+

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

The Star Outside My Window 89%

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

by Onjali Q. Raúf 2019

4.31

3k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

The Audtion

by Maddie Ziegler • 2017

A dancer uprooted to Florida must earn her place among wary teammates and ruthless rivals.

4.12

1k+

🩰 Competitive Dance 💔 New Girl Struggles ⚡ Cliques And Rivalry 🎭 Dance Team Drama 💪 Overcoming Setbacks

The Audtion 89%

A dancer uprooted to Florida must earn her place among wary teammates and ruthless rivals.

by Maddie Ziegler 2017

4.12

1k+ ratings

🩰 Competitive Dance 💔 New Girl Struggles ⚡ Cliques And Rivalry 🎭 Dance Team Drama 💪 Overcoming Setbacks

Our Beautiful Boys

by Sameer Pandya • 2025

One night of violence at a cavehouse party shatters the facades of three suburban families.

3.80

2k+

🏈 High School Football 🌏 Immigrant Families 🖤 Race And Privilege 😔 Guilt And Redemption 🏡 Suburban Secrets

Our Beautiful Boys 89%

One night of violence at a cavehouse party shatters the facades of three suburban families.

by Sameer Pandya 2025

3.80

2k+ ratings

🏈 High School Football 🌏 Immigrant Families 🖤 Race And Privilege 😔 Guilt And Redemption 🏡 Suburban Secrets

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass • 2006

Four lost keys, his dead dad's locked box, and one summer to open it before thirteen.

4.02

20k+

🔒 Locked Box Mystery 🌞 Summer Quest 🖤 Grief Journey 👴 Eccentric Mentor 👫 Best Friends Duo

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life Summary

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life 89%

Four lost keys, his dead dad's locked box, and one summer to open it before thirteen.

by Wendy Mass 2006

4.02

20k+ ratings

🔒 Locked Box Mystery 🌞 Summer Quest 🖤 Grief Journey 👴 Eccentric Mentor 👫 Best Friends Duo

Stanley, Flat Again!

by Jeff Brown • 2003

Stanley Lambchop is flat again. This time, his strangest problem might be someone's only hope.

3.92

3k+

📚 Early Chapter Books 🎈 Absurd Premise 😊 Gently Humorous 🦸 Reluctant Hero 👨‍👦 Sibling Dynamics

Stanley, Flat Again! 89%

Stanley Lambchop is flat again. This time, his strangest problem might be someone's only hope.

by Jeff Brown 2003

3.92

3k+ ratings

📚 Early Chapter Books 🎈 Absurd Premise 😊 Gently Humorous 🦸 Reluctant Hero 👨‍👦 Sibling Dynamics

Unhooking the Moon

by Gregory Hughes • 2010

Two orphans flee to New York seeking their last relative, racing the younger one's dark visions.

3.96

2k+

🧒 Orphaned Siblings 🚂 Sibling Road Trip 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Precognitive Child 🏙️ Gritty Middle Grade

Unhooking the Moon 89%

Two orphans flee to New York seeking their last relative, racing the younger one's dark visions.

by Gregory Hughes 2010

3.96

2k+ ratings

🧒 Orphaned Siblings 🚂 Sibling Road Trip 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Precognitive Child 🏙️ Gritty Middle Grade

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

Tanz der Tiefseequalle

by Stefanie Höfler • 2017

A bullied boy's quiet imagination catches a popular girl's eye. A class trip brings them together.

3.27

772

🏫 School Story 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👁️ Dual Perspective 🪞 Body Image 🌱 Quiet Resilience

Tanz der Tiefseequalle 89%

A bullied boy's quiet imagination catches a popular girl's eye. A class trip brings them together.

by Stefanie Höfler 2017

3.27

772 ratings

🏫 School Story 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👁️ Dual Perspective 🪞 Body Image 🌱 Quiet Resilience

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 89%

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

Breathe and Count Back from Ten

by Natalia Sylvester • 2022

A Peruvian American teen hides her dream of becoming a mermaid performer from her immigrant parents.

3.82

4k+

🏡 Boy Next Door 👨‍👩‍👧 Strict Parents 🎭 Performing Arts 💔 Chronic Illness 💕 First Love

Breathe and Count Back from Ten 89%

A Peruvian American teen hides her dream of becoming a mermaid performer from her immigrant parents.

by Natalia Sylvester 2022

3.82

4k+ ratings

🏡 Boy Next Door 👨‍👩‍👧 Strict Parents 🎭 Performing Arts 💔 Chronic Illness 💕 First Love

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt • 2015

Ally hides her struggle to read behind distractions, until a teacher sees her bright mind.

4.26

86k+

📖 Dyslexia Representation 🍎 Supportive Teacher 🤝 Unlikely Friendships 🛡️ Standing Up To Bullies 🏫 Middle School Life

Fish in a Tree 89%

Ally hides her struggle to read behind distractions, until a teacher sees her bright mind.

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt 2015

4.26

86k+ ratings

📖 Dyslexia Representation 🍎 Supportive Teacher 🤝 Unlikely Friendships 🛡️ Standing Up To Bullies 🏫 Middle School Life

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

The Penderwicks at Last

by Jeanne Birdsall • 2018

When the Penderwicks return to Arundel for a wedding, the youngest must find her own rhythm.

4.18

10k+

🏡 Summer Estate 💒 Family Wedding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🎶 Dance And Music 🌅 Bittersweet Goodbye

The Penderwicks at Last 89%

When the Penderwicks return to Arundel for a wedding, the youngest must find her own rhythm.

by Jeanne Birdsall 2018

4.18

10k+ ratings

🏡 Summer Estate 💒 Family Wedding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🎶 Dance And Music 🌅 Bittersweet Goodbye

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz • 2012

A Mexican-American boy hides his family's ghosts. Then Dante asks about every one.

4.28

680k+

🫂 Friends To Lovers 🌵 Chicano Literature 📖 Literary Ya ✍️ Lyrical Prose 🌈 Queer Awakening

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Summary

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 89%

A Mexican-American boy hides his family's ghosts. Then Dante asks about every one.

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 2012

4.28

680k+ ratings

🫂 Friends To Lovers 🌵 Chicano Literature 📖 Literary Ya ✍️ Lyrical Prose 🌈 Queer Awakening

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

All Four Stars

by Tara Dairman • 2014

Mistaken for an adult food writer, an eleven-year-old must secretly review a Manhattan bistro.

4.18

4k+

🍳 Foodie Middle Grade 📝 Secret Passion 🎭 Mistaken Identity 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👩‍🏫 Supportive Teacher

All Four Stars 89%

Mistaken for an adult food writer, an eleven-year-old must secretly review a Manhattan bistro.

by Tara Dairman 2014

4.18

4k+ ratings

🍳 Foodie Middle Grade 📝 Secret Passion 🎭 Mistaken Identity 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👩‍🏫 Supportive Teacher

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M