33 Books like The Search for WondLa

Orphans of the Tide

by Struan Murray

She pulls a boy from a whale. Inquisitors want him burned. Something wakes inside her.

4.21

2k+

🌊 Flooded World 🎭 Hidden Identity 👁️ Possession 🫂 Found Family 🔧 Inventor Heroine

Orphans of the Tide 92%

She pulls a boy from a whale. Inquisitors want him burned. Something wakes inside her.

by Struan Murray 2020

4.21

2k+ ratings

🌊 Flooded World 🎭 Hidden Identity 👁️ Possession 🫂 Found Family 🔧 Inventor Heroine

A Rover's Story

by Jasmine Warga • 2022

When a Mars rover starts to feel, his search for water becomes a search for belonging.

4.28

10k+

🌱 Robot Coming Of Age 🚀 Mission To Mars 🫂 Found Family 📝 Letters From Home 🌿 Gentle Sci-Fi

A Rover's Story 93%

When a Mars rover starts to feel, his search for water becomes a search for belonging.

by Jasmine Warga 2022

4.28

10k+ ratings

🌱 Robot Coming Of Age 🚀 Mission To Mars 🫂 Found Family 📝 Letters From Home 🌿 Gentle Sci-Fi

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins • 2003

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

4.04

115k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

Gregor the Overlander 93%

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

by Suzanne Collins 2003

4.04

115k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

The Glass Sentence

by S.E. Grove • 2014

A time-blind girl crosses a fractured world, following maps of memory to save her kidnapped uncle.

3.82

7k+

🗺️ Magical Maps ⏳ Fractured Time 📜 Alternate History 🧠 Memory Magic 👧 Orphan Protagonist

The Glass Sentence 92%

A time-blind girl crosses a fractured world, following maps of memory to save her kidnapped uncle.

by S.E. Grove 2014

3.82

7k+ ratings

🗺️ Magical Maps ⏳ Fractured Time 📜 Alternate History 🧠 Memory Magic 👧 Orphan Protagonist

LIFEL1K3

by Jay Kristoff • 2018

A scavenger fights robots for medicine. When an android awakens, her hidden past comes hunting.

3.94

13k+

🤖 Sentient Androids 🫂 Found Family 🧠 Implanted Memories ⚡ Hidden Powers 🏚️ Dystopian Wasteland

LIFEL1K3 92%

A scavenger fights robots for medicine. When an android awakens, her hidden past comes hunting.

by Jay Kristoff 2018

3.94

13k+ ratings

🤖 Sentient Androids 🫂 Found Family 🧠 Implanted Memories ⚡ Hidden Powers 🏚️ Dystopian Wasteland

The Merchant of Death

by D.J. MacHale • 2002

His uncle drags him through a portal to a world where an uprising could destroy everyone.

3.97

53k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 😰 Reluctant Chosen One 💔 Mentor Sacrifice 🤝 Unlikely Allies ✊ Oppressed Uprising

The Merchant of Death 92%

His uncle drags him through a portal to a world where an uprising could destroy everyone.

by D.J. MacHale 2002

3.97

53k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 😰 Reluctant Chosen One 💔 Mentor Sacrifice 🤝 Unlikely Allies ✊ Oppressed Uprising

George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt

by Lucy Hawking • 2009

A strange signal pulls two kids through a supercomputer portal on an interplanetary treasure hunt.

4.20

3k+

🌌 Interplanetary Adventure 🌀 Portal Travel 🔬 Kid Scientists 🌠 Space Treasure Hunt ⚔️ Rival Scientists

George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt 92%

A strange signal pulls two kids through a supercomputer portal on an interplanetary treasure hunt.

by Lucy Hawking 2009

4.20

3k+ ratings

🌌 Interplanetary Adventure 🌀 Portal Travel 🔬 Kid Scientists 🌠 Space Treasure Hunt ⚔️ Rival Scientists

A Girl from Nowhere

by James Maxwell • 2020

A lame orphan crosses a deadly wasteland chasing the legend of a white-walled city.

4.06

11k+

🏜️ Desert Wasteland ⚔️ Arena Combat 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family ♿ Disabled Protagonist 💕 Slow Burn Romance

A Girl from Nowhere 92%

A lame orphan crosses a deadly wasteland chasing the legend of a white-walled city.

by James Maxwell 2020

4.06

11k+ ratings

🏜️ Desert Wasteland ⚔️ Arena Combat 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family ♿ Disabled Protagonist 💕 Slow Burn Romance

The Library of Ever

by Zeno Alexander • 2019

A bored girl finds a door into a magical library, where protecting books means fighting the dark.

3.77

2k+

🏛️ Magical Library 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📚 Librarian Hero 🤝 Unlikely Allies 🐋 Talking Animals

The Library of Ever 92%

A bored girl finds a door into a magical library, where protecting books means fighting the dark.

by Zeno Alexander 2019

3.77

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Magical Library 🚪 Portal Fantasy 📚 Librarian Hero 🤝 Unlikely Allies 🐋 Talking Animals

Keeper of the Lost Cities

by Shannon Messenger • 2012

A telepath enters a hidden elven academy and learns her DNA was engineered by conspirators.

4.39

113k+

🏫 Magical Boarding School 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🧠 Telepathic Protagonist 🌍 Hidden Magical World 🔍 Mysterious Origins

Keeper of the Lost Cities 92%

A telepath enters a hidden elven academy and learns her DNA was engineered by conspirators.

by Shannon Messenger 2012

4.39

113k+ ratings

🏫 Magical Boarding School 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🧠 Telepathic Protagonist 🌍 Hidden Magical World 🔍 Mysterious Origins

The Midnight Charter

by David Whitley • 1996

In a city that trades everything, two servant children are chosen to judge its fate.

3.44

652

🏙️ Dystopian City 🧒 Orphan Heroes 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💰 Rags To Riches 🫂 Found Family

The Midnight Charter 92%

In a city that trades everything, two servant children are chosen to judge its fate.

by David Whitley 1996

3.44

652 ratings

🏙️ Dystopian City 🧒 Orphan Heroes 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💰 Rags To Riches 🫂 Found Family

The Gunslinger

by Stephen King • 1982

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

3.91

669k+

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

The Gunslinger 91%

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

by Stephen King 1982

3.91

669k+ ratings

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

The Forbidden Library

by Django Wexler • 2014

To learn the truth about her father, Alice must enter magical books that imprison deadly creatures.

3.83

6k+

📖 Portal Fantasy 📚 Magical Library 🐈 Talking Cat Companion 👧 Orphan Protagonist 🪄 Magical Apprenticeship

The Forbidden Library 91%

To learn the truth about her father, Alice must enter magical books that imprison deadly creatures.

by Django Wexler 2014

3.83

6k+ ratings

📖 Portal Fantasy 📚 Magical Library 🐈 Talking Cat Companion 👧 Orphan Protagonist 🪄 Magical Apprenticeship

The Fifth Season

by N.K. Jemisin • 2015

Her son murdered, her daughter taken, an orogene mother must wield the power that broke the earth.

4.28

339k+

💀 Dying Earth ⛓️ Oppressed Mages 🔪 Mother's Vengeance 🧙 Flawed Mentor 🏴 Dismantle Empire

The Fifth Season 91%

Her son murdered, her daughter taken, an orogene mother must wield the power that broke the earth.

by N.K. Jemisin 2015

4.28

339k+ ratings

💀 Dying Earth ⛓️ Oppressed Mages 🔪 Mother's Vengeance 🧙 Flawed Mentor 🏴 Dismantle Empire

The Bell Between Worlds

by Ian Johnstone • 2013

A boy follows a phantom bell into a mirror world to uncover his mother's fate.

3.77

511

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🧒 Orphaned Hero ⭐ Chosen One Prophecy 🗝️ Hidden Magical World

The Bell Between Worlds 91%

A boy follows a phantom bell into a mirror world to uncover his mother's fate.

by Ian Johnstone 2013

3.77

511 ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🧒 Orphaned Hero ⭐ Chosen One Prophecy 🗝️ Hidden Magical World

Found

by Margaret Peterson Haddix • 2008

A note tells an adopted boy he was taken from the past. Then a second warns: someone's coming.

3.98

42k+

🕰️ Time Travel Mystery 🔍 Kid Investigators 🎭 Hidden Identities 🕵️ Conspiracy Thriller 🤝 Found Family

Found 91%

A note tells an adopted boy he was taken from the past. Then a second warns: someone's coming.

by Margaret Peterson Haddix 2008

3.98

42k+ ratings

🕰️ Time Travel Mystery 🔍 Kid Investigators 🎭 Hidden Identities 🕵️ Conspiracy Thriller 🤝 Found Family

The Lifters

by Dave Eggers • 2018

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

3.61

2k+

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The Lifters 91%

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

by Dave Eggers 2018

3.61

2k+ ratings

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The Last Cuentista

by Donna Barba Higuera • 2021

A storyteller wakes on a colony ship to find the rulers erased every memory but hers.

4.04

29k+

🚀 Generational Starship 🧠 Memory Erasure 📖 Story As Resistance 💔 Sibling Sacrifice 🫂 Found Family

The Last Cuentista 92%

A storyteller wakes on a colony ship to find the rulers erased every memory but hers.

by Donna Barba Higuera 2021

4.04

29k+ ratings

🚀 Generational Starship 🧠 Memory Erasure 📖 Story As Resistance 💔 Sibling Sacrifice 🫂 Found Family

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown • 2016

A shipwrecked robot learns to survive among wild animals and becomes mother to an orphaned gosling.

4.22

124k+

🤖 Robot Protagonist 🏕️ Wilderness Survival 🦊 Animal Fable 🫂 Found Family 🐣 Unlikely Parenthood

The Wild Robot 92%

A shipwrecked robot learns to survive among wild animals and becomes mother to an orphaned gosling.

by Peter Brown 2016

4.22

124k+ ratings

🤖 Robot Protagonist 🏕️ Wilderness Survival 🦊 Animal Fable 🫂 Found Family 🐣 Unlikely Parenthood

The Starless Crown

by James Rollins

A blind girl raised by giant bats must stop the moon from destroying her world.

3.78

13k+

🧬 Science Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⚙️ Ancient Technology 🧠 Telepathic Bond 🤖 Artificial Being

The Starless Crown 91%

A blind girl raised by giant bats must stop the moon from destroying her world.

by James Rollins 2022

3.78

13k+ ratings

🧬 Science Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⚙️ Ancient Technology 🧠 Telepathic Bond 🤖 Artificial Being

The Diamond Age

by Neal Stephenson • 1995

A stolen, sentient primer teaches a poor girl to read, then to lead an army.

4.16

94k+

📖 Sentient Book 🤱 Surrogate Mother 👑 Child Leader 🐝 Hive Mind 🕰️ Neovictorian Society

The Diamond Age 91%

A stolen, sentient primer teaches a poor girl to read, then to lead an army.

by Neal Stephenson 1995

4.16

94k+ ratings

📖 Sentient Book 🤱 Surrogate Mother 👑 Child Leader 🐝 Hive Mind 🕰️ Neovictorian Society

Inkheart

by Cornelia Funke • 2003

Her father reads book characters to life. The villain he freed will do anything to stay real.

3.93

444k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🪞 Metafiction 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📚 Bookish Protagonist

Inkheart 91%

Her father reads book characters to life. The villain he freed will do anything to stay real.

by Cornelia Funke 2003

3.93

444k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🪞 Metafiction 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📚 Bookish Protagonist

Museum of Thieves

by Lian Tanner • 2010

A chained girl escapes into a living museum, where the wildness her city buried is waking.

3.92

6k+

🏛️ Living Museum 🌪️ Wild Magic 🗡️ Thief Training 🤝 Found Family 🐾 Loyal Beast Companion

Museum of Thieves 91%

A chained girl escapes into a living museum, where the wildness her city buried is waking.

by Lian Tanner 2010

3.92

6k+ ratings

🏛️ Living Museum 🌪️ Wild Magic 🗡️ Thief Training 🤝 Found Family 🐾 Loyal Beast Companion

Senlin Ascends

by Josiah Bancroft • 2013

When his wife vanishes at the Tower of Babel, a schoolmaster must brave its perilous ringdoms.

4.11

34k+

🕯️ Gaslamp Fantasy ⚙️ Steampunk Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 👑 Reluctant Leader 🏛️ Kafkaesque

Senlin Ascends 91%

When his wife vanishes at the Tower of Babel, a schoolmaster must brave its perilous ringdoms.

by Josiah Bancroft 2013

4.11

34k+ ratings

🕯️ Gaslamp Fantasy ⚙️ Steampunk Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 👑 Reluctant Leader 🏛️ Kafkaesque

Torchfire

by Moira Buffini • 2025

A hunted telepath forges a forbidden bond with a captive who could bring down the regime.

4.38

873

🧠 Telepathic Resistance 🫂 Found Family 🌱 Hopepunk ☁️ Sky Civilizations 🏰 Dystopian Fantasy

Torchfire 91%

A hunted telepath forges a forbidden bond with a captive who could bring down the regime.

by Moira Buffini 2025

4.38

873 ratings

🧠 Telepathic Resistance 🫂 Found Family 🌱 Hopepunk ☁️ Sky Civilizations 🏰 Dystopian Fantasy

The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau • 2003

An underground city's lights are dying. Two kids follow torn directions to the world above.

3.90

301k+

🏙️ Underground City 🌅 Hopeful Dystopia 🔍 Kid Detectives 🔐 Cryptic Instructions 😠 Corrupt Leaders

The City of Ember 91%

An underground city's lights are dying. Two kids follow torn directions to the world above.

by Jeanne DuPrau 2003

3.90

301k+ ratings

🏙️ Underground City 🌅 Hopeful Dystopia 🔍 Kid Detectives 🔐 Cryptic Instructions 😠 Corrupt Leaders

Crow's Revenge

by Marcus Alexander • 2008

Her pendant opens a hidden door to dragons, a tyrant, and the parents stolen from her.

4.21

541

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🐉 Dragon Companion 😤 Abusive Guardian ⚔️ Magical Tournament

Crow's Revenge 91%

Her pendant opens a hidden door to dragons, a tyrant, and the parents stolen from her.

by Marcus Alexander 2008

4.21

541 ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🐉 Dragon Companion 😤 Abusive Guardian ⚔️ Magical Tournament

The Crowns of Croswald

by D.E. Night • 2017

An orphaned maid's forgotten past is the only weapon against a queen who feeds on forgetting.

3.79

4k+

🏰 Magical Boarding School 👑 Hidden Royal Heir 🔮 Memory Magic 💕 Found Family ✨ Whimsical Magic

The Crowns of Croswald 91%

An orphaned maid's forgotten past is the only weapon against a queen who feeds on forgetting.

by D.E. Night 2017

3.79

4k+ ratings

🏰 Magical Boarding School 👑 Hidden Royal Heir 🔮 Memory Magic 💕 Found Family ✨ Whimsical Magic

Dark Life

by Kat Falls • 2010

A subsea boy's strange gift collides with a surface girl's hunt for her missing brother.

3.90

15k+

🐠 Underwater Colony 🧬 Secret Abilities 🔍 Missing Sibling 🤝 Reluctant Allies 💙 Found Family

Dark Life 91%

A subsea boy's strange gift collides with a surface girl's hunt for her missing brother.

by Kat Falls 2010

3.90

15k+ ratings

🐠 Underwater Colony 🧬 Secret Abilities 🔍 Missing Sibling 🤝 Reluctant Allies 💙 Found Family

Kalyx

by Karen Lynch

A teen rescues a crashed alien panther. The military wants it back at any cost.

4.38

202

🛸 First Contact 🐾 Creature Bond 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🏭 Corrupt Corporation 🌪️ Climate Collapse

Kalyx 91%

A teen rescues a crashed alien panther. The military wants it back at any cost.

by Karen Lynch

4.38

202 ratings

🛸 First Contact 🐾 Creature Bond 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🏭 Corrupt Corporation 🌪️ Climate Collapse

The Knife of Never Letting Go

by Patrick Ness • 2008

On a world of broadcast thoughts, a boy meets a quiet girl and a violent pursuit ignites.

3.97

205k+

🚀 Planet Colonization 🔍 Lost Colony Secrets 🏃 Relentless Pursuer 🐕 Loyal Animal Companion 🌑 Bleak Coming Of Age

The Knife of Never Letting Go 91%

On a world of broadcast thoughts, a boy meets a quiet girl and a violent pursuit ignites.

by Patrick Ness 2008

3.97

205k+ ratings

🚀 Planet Colonization 🔍 Lost Colony Secrets 🏃 Relentless Pursuer 🐕 Loyal Animal Companion 🌑 Bleak Coming Of Age

The First State of Being

by Erin Entrada Kelly • 2024

A twelve-year-old stockpiles for Y2K until a boy from 2199 lands in his apartment courtyard.

4.04

6k+

🧠 Childhood Anxiety ⏰ Time Travel Visitor 💔 Grief And Loss 🏠 Found Family 🌱 Quiet Coming Of Age

The First State of Being 91%

A twelve-year-old stockpiles for Y2K until a boy from 2199 lands in his apartment courtyard.

by Erin Entrada Kelly 2024

4.04

6k+ ratings

🧠 Childhood Anxiety ⏰ Time Travel Visitor 💔 Grief And Loss 🏠 Found Family 🌱 Quiet Coming Of Age

The Rogue Knight

by Brandon Mull • 2014

A boy from Arizona scours a magical kingdom of living illusions to rescue his captive friends.

4.37

15k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🖤 Found Family 🏃 Rescue Mission 🎭 Hidden Identity ✨ Illusion Magic

The Rogue Knight 91%

A boy from Arizona scours a magical kingdom of living illusions to rescue his captive friends.

by Brandon Mull 2014

4.37

15k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🖤 Found Family 🏃 Rescue Mission 🎭 Hidden Identity ✨ Illusion Magic

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