36 Books like The Labors of Hercules Beal

Remarkably Bright Creatures

by Shelby Van Pelt

Tova cleans the aquarium by night. The octopus she saves knows her lost son's secret.

4.36

1.3M+

🐙 Animal Narrator 🏘️ Small-Town Secrets 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔍 Late-Life Discovery

Remarkably Bright Creatures 91%

Tova cleans the aquarium by night. The octopus she saves knows her lost son's secret.

by Shelby Van Pelt 2022

4.36

1.3M+ ratings

🐙 Animal Narrator 🏘️ Small-Town Secrets 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔍 Late-Life Discovery

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 93%

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

Just Gus

by McCall Hoyle • 2023

A scarred guardian dog meets a boy silenced by anxiety. Together they learn to heal.

4.31

538

🐾 Animal Narrator 🩹 Healing Dog 👦 Boy And His Dog 💞 Parallel Healing 🫂 Found Family

Just Gus 93%

A scarred guardian dog meets a boy silenced by anxiety. Together they learn to heal.

by McCall Hoyle 2023

4.31

538 ratings

🐾 Animal Narrator 🩹 Healing Dog 👦 Boy And His Dog 💞 Parallel Healing 🫂 Found Family

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

by Dan Gemeinhart • 2019

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

4.44

33k+

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise Summary

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise 93%

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

by Dan Gemeinhart 2019

4.44

33k+ ratings

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo • 2000

New in town, missing her mother, Opal adopts a stray dog who leads her to community.

4.10

281k+

🐕 Dog Companion 🏡 Found Family 🏘️ Small-Town Community 👵 Eccentric Elders 📖 Storytelling

Because of Winn-Dixie 92%

New in town, missing her mother, Opal adopts a stray dog who leads her to community.

by Kate DiCamillo 2000

4.10

281k+ ratings

🐕 Dog Companion 🏡 Found Family 🏘️ Small-Town Community 👵 Eccentric Elders 📖 Storytelling

The View from Saturday

by E.L. Konigsburg • 1996

A paraplegic teacher picks four misfits for an Academic Bowl team that wins more than trophies.

3.76

47k+

🏠 Found Family 🏆 Academic Competition 🧩 Interwoven Narratives 🫖 Cozy Gatherings 🏡 Small Town Life

The View from Saturday 92%

A paraplegic teacher picks four misfits for an Academic Bowl team that wins more than trophies.

by E.L. Konigsburg 1996

3.76

47k+ ratings

🏠 Found Family 🏆 Academic Competition 🧩 Interwoven Narratives 🫖 Cozy Gatherings 🏡 Small Town Life

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 92%

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

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite

by Pierre Bottero • 2002

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

4.06

136

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite Summary

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite 91%

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

by Pierre Bottero 2002

4.06

136 ratings

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

A Dog's Life

by Ann M. Martin • 2005

A stray dog spends her life losing everyone, wandering the countryside, always searching for home.

4.22

16k+

🐾 Animal Narrator 🐕 Stray Dog Journey 😢 Animal Tearjerker 🏠 Found Family 👵 Unlikely Friendship

A Dog's Life 91%

A stray dog spends her life losing everyone, wandering the countryside, always searching for home.

by Ann M. Martin 2005

4.22

16k+ ratings

🐾 Animal Narrator 🐕 Stray Dog Journey 😢 Animal Tearjerker 🏠 Found Family 👵 Unlikely Friendship

Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech • 1994

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

4.00

174k+

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Walk Two Moons 91%

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

by Sharon Creech 1994

4.00

174k+ ratings

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Wishing Season

by Anica Mrose Rissi • 2023

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

4.32

273

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

Wishing Season 91%

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

by Anica Mrose Rissi 2023

4.32

273 ratings

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

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 91%

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

How to Stay Invisible

by Maggie C. Rudd • 2023

Abandoned, a boy and his dog survive in the woods behind his school, attending class.

4.43

1k+

🎒 Secretly Homeless ❤️ Found Family 🐕 Loyal Dog Companion 🎣 Grumpy Old Mentor 🏎️ Persistent Best Friend

How to Stay Invisible 91%

Abandoned, a boy and his dog survive in the woods behind his school, attending class.

by Maggie C. Rudd 2023

4.43

1k+ ratings

🎒 Secretly Homeless ❤️ Found Family 🐕 Loyal Dog Companion 🎣 Grumpy Old Mentor 🏎️ Persistent Best Friend

Pax

by Sara Pennypacker • 2016

A boy braves war to retrieve his abandoned fox, not realizing the fox has become wild.

3.98

65k+

🐾 Human-Animal Bond 🦊 Animal Perspective ⚔️ War Separation 💔 Letting Go 🗺️ Lost Pet Quest

Pax 91%

A boy braves war to retrieve his abandoned fox, not realizing the fox has become wild.

by Sara Pennypacker 2016

3.98

65k+ ratings

🐾 Human-Animal Bond 🦊 Animal Perspective ⚔️ War Separation 💔 Letting Go 🗺️ Lost Pet Quest

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

by John David Anderson • 2016

Three boys skip school to give their dying teacher the perfect goodbye she deserves.

4.27

9k+

🩺 Terminal Illness 🍎 Beloved Teacher 👥 Best Friend Trio 🪣 Bucket List 😭 Tearjerker

Ms. Bixby's Last Day 91%

Three boys skip school to give their dying teacher the perfect goodbye she deserves.

by John David Anderson 2016

4.27

9k+ ratings

🩺 Terminal Illness 🍎 Beloved Teacher 👥 Best Friend Trio 🪣 Bucket List 😭 Tearjerker

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 91%

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

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

April et le Dernier Ours

by Hannah Gold • 2021

On an Arctic island, a lonely girl discovers a polar bear starving and trapped in plastic.

4.28

8k+

🌍 Eco Adventure 🐾 Animal Friendship 🐻 Girl And Wild Animal 💔 Distant Father 🕯️ Loss Of A Mother

April et le Dernier Ours 90%

On an Arctic island, a lonely girl discovers a polar bear starving and trapped in plastic.

by Hannah Gold 2021

4.28

8k+ ratings

🌍 Eco Adventure 🐾 Animal Friendship 🐻 Girl And Wild Animal 💔 Distant Father 🕯️ Loss Of A Mother

Sounder

by William H. Armstrong • 1969

A sharecropper's son searches for his arrested father, with a wounded dog as his only guide.

3.97

32k+

🐕 Boy And His Dog 🌾 Sharecropper Life 🏚️ Jim Crow South 📚 Self-Taught Literacy 🖤 Understated Grief

Sounder 90%

A sharecropper's son searches for his arrested father, with a wounded dog as his only guide.

by William H. Armstrong 1969

3.97

32k+ ratings

🐕 Boy And His Dog 🌾 Sharecropper Life 🏚️ Jim Crow South 📚 Self-Taught Literacy 🖤 Understated Grief

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 93%

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

Bailey's Story

by W. Bruce Cameron • 2013

A golden retriever shields a boy from a dangerous friend whose reckless choices lead to disaster.

4.31

5k+

🐕 Dog Narrator 👦 Boy And His Dog 🦸 Heroic Dog 🏠 Animal Rescue 🌻 Farm Summers

Bailey's Story 93%

A golden retriever shields a boy from a dangerous friend whose reckless choices lead to disaster.

by W. Bruce Cameron 2013

4.31

5k+ ratings

🐕 Dog Narrator 👦 Boy And His Dog 🦸 Heroic Dog 🏠 Animal Rescue 🌻 Farm Summers

Eleven

by Tom Rogers

On 9/11, a boy finds a stray dog as his father is trapped in the Twin Towers.

4.32

3k+

🐕 Boy And Dog 🗽 September 11 🪄 Magical Thinking 🩹 Survivor Guilt 🧒 Reluctant Grown-Up

Eleven 90%

On 9/11, a boy finds a stray dog as his father is trapped in the Twin Towers.

by Tom Rogers 2014

4.32

3k+ ratings

🐕 Boy And Dog 🗽 September 11 🪄 Magical Thinking 🩹 Survivor Guilt 🧒 Reluctant Grown-Up

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 90%

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

[(My Life as an Alphabet)] [By (author) Barry Jonsberg] published on

by Barry Jonsberg • 2013

An earnestly literal twelve-year-old sets out to fix her broken family, one awkward plan at a time.

3.91

2k+

🧠 Neurodivergent Narrator 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Family Reconciliation ✉️ Epistolary Novel 🌏 Small Town Australia

[(My Life as an Alphabet)] [By (author) Barry Jonsberg] published on Summary

[(My Life as an Alphabet)] [By (author) Barry Jonsberg] published on 90%

An earnestly literal twelve-year-old sets out to fix her broken family, one awkward plan at a time.

by Barry Jonsberg 2013

3.91

2k+ ratings

🧠 Neurodivergent Narrator 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Family Reconciliation ✉️ Epistolary Novel 🌏 Small Town Australia

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 90%

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

In the Wild Light

by Jeff Zentner • 2021

A grieving Tennessee boy follows his best friend to boarding school and discovers poetry and love.

4.44

12k+

🏫 Boarding School ⛰️ Appalachian Fiction 💞 Friends To Lovers 🫂 Found Family 💸 Class Divide

In the Wild Light 90%

A grieving Tennessee boy follows his best friend to boarding school and discovers poetry and love.

by Jeff Zentner 2021

4.44

12k+ ratings

🏫 Boarding School ⛰️ Appalachian Fiction 💞 Friends To Lovers 🫂 Found Family 💸 Class Divide

What Comes After

by JoAnne Tompkins • 2021

A grieving father takes in a pregnant runaway hiding secrets about his murdered son.

3.76

30k+

🖤 Literary Murder Mystery 🏘️ Small Town Grief 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grieving Parent 🏠 Reluctant Guardian

What Comes After 90%

A grieving father takes in a pregnant runaway hiding secrets about his murdered son.

by JoAnne Tompkins 2021

3.76

30k+ ratings

🖤 Literary Murder Mystery 🏘️ Small Town Grief 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grieving Parent 🏠 Reluctant Guardian

A Good Animal

by Sara Maurer • 2026

First love on a Michigan sheep farm ends in a pregnancy with no safe way out.

3.56

8k+

🏡 Rural Coming Of Age 🐏 Sheep Farming 💔 First Love 🤰 Teen Pregnancy ⚕️ Abortion Fiction

A Good Animal 90%

First love on a Michigan sheep farm ends in a pregnancy with no safe way out.

by Sara Maurer 2026

3.56

8k+ ratings

🏡 Rural Coming Of Age 🐏 Sheep Farming 💔 First Love 🤰 Teen Pregnancy ⚕️ Abortion Fiction

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

The Underneath

by Kathi Appelt • 2008

A calico cat, a chained hound, and their hidden kittens, as an ancient snake spirit stirs.

3.99

12k+

🐾 Animal Point Of View 🌿 Southern Gothic 🐕 Animal Found Family 💔 Maternal Sacrifice 🐊 Ancient Curse

The Underneath 90%

A calico cat, a chained hound, and their hidden kittens, as an ancient snake spirit stirs.

by Kathi Appelt 2008

3.99

12k+ ratings

🐾 Animal Point Of View 🌿 Southern Gothic 🐕 Animal Found Family 💔 Maternal Sacrifice 🐊 Ancient Curse

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 90%

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

Shadow Forest

by Matt Haig • 2007

After their parents die, two siblings enter a Norwegian forest where shadows are stolen.

3.97

2k+

✨ Modern Fairy Tale 🌲 Norse Folklore Fantasy 👫 Orphaned Siblings 🏠 Found Family 🎭 Tragic Villain

Shadow Forest 90%

After their parents die, two siblings enter a Norwegian forest where shadows are stolen.

by Matt Haig 2007

3.97

2k+ ratings

✨ Modern Fairy Tale 🌲 Norse Folklore Fantasy 👫 Orphaned Siblings 🏠 Found Family 🎭 Tragic Villain

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 90%

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

A Dog's Purpose

by W. Bruce Cameron • 2010

Reincarnated over and over, a loyal dog seeks his purpose in service, rescue, and love.

4.36

141k+

🐕 Boy And His Dog 🦮 Search And Rescue Dog ✨ Multiple Lives 😭 Tearjerker 🏘️ Small Town America

A Dog's Purpose 90%

Reincarnated over and over, a loyal dog seeks his purpose in service, rescue, and love.

by W. Bruce Cameron 2010

4.36

141k+ ratings

🐕 Boy And His Dog 🦮 Search And Rescue Dog ✨ Multiple Lives 😭 Tearjerker 🏘️ Small Town America

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman • 2008

A graveyard of ghosts adopts the sole survivor of a family massacre, hiding him from his hunters.

4.15

568k+

🪦 Graveyard Fantasy 🌙 Gothic Coming Of Age 🖤 Found Family 👦 Orphaned Protagonist 🕯️ Secret Society

The Graveyard Book 90%

A graveyard of ghosts adopts the sole survivor of a family massacre, hiding him from his hunters.

by Neil Gaiman 2008

4.15

568k+ ratings

🪦 Graveyard Fantasy 🌙 Gothic Coming Of Age 🖤 Found Family 👦 Orphaned Protagonist 🕯️ Secret Society

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 90%

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

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