37 Books like The Tiger Rising

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 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 95%

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 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 94%

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 One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate • 2012

A captive gorilla paints a rescue for the baby elephant who arrives at his run-down mall.

4.27

212k+

🔒 Animals In Captivity 🐘 Cross-Species Bonds 💔 Poignant Animal Story 🏠 Found Family 🦍 Gentle Giant

The One and Only Ivan 92%

A captive gorilla paints a rescue for the baby elephant who arrives at his run-down mall.

by Katherine Applegate 2012

4.27

212k+ ratings

🔒 Animals In Captivity 🐘 Cross-Species Bonds 💔 Poignant Animal Story 🏠 Found Family 🦍 Gentle Giant

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 92%

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

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 92%

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

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 92%

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

One Good Mama Bone

by Bren McClain • 2017

A poor widow raises her dead friend's boy, guided by a cow's fierce, wordless love.

4.33

2k+

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🐄 Animal Human Bond 👩‍👦 Reluctant Motherhood 💔 Generational Trauma 🌾 Rural Poverty

One Good Mama Bone 92%

A poor widow raises her dead friend's boy, guided by a cow's fierce, wordless love.

by Bren McClain 2017

4.33

2k+ ratings

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🐄 Animal Human Bond 👩‍👦 Reluctant Motherhood 💔 Generational Trauma 🌾 Rural Poverty

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 92%

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

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 92%

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

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

[(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 91%

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

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

Alabama Moon

by Watt Key • 2004

His father dead, a boy raised in the Alabama wild must outrun the law to survive.

4.06

5k+

🌲 Wilderness Survival 🫂 Found Family 👥 Unlikely Friends 🏃 Runaway Kids 🛡️ Resilience

Alabama Moon 91%

His father dead, a boy raised in the Alabama wild must outrun the law to survive.

by Watt Key 2004

4.06

5k+ ratings

🌲 Wilderness Survival 🫂 Found Family 👥 Unlikely Friends 🏃 Runaway Kids 🛡️ Resilience

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

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 91%

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

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

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 91%

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

Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseñó a volar

by Luis Sepúlveda • 1996

A cat vows to raise a seagull chick, then faces the impossible: teaching her to fly.

4.23

32k+

🐦 Animal Fable 🐾 Cross-Species Family 🖤 Found Family 😺 Reluctant Guardian 🗣️ Talking Animals

Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseñó a volar Summary

Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseñó a volar 91%

A cat vows to raise a seagull chick, then faces the impossible: teaching her to fly.

by Luis Sepúlveda 1996

4.23

32k+ ratings

🐦 Animal Fable 🐾 Cross-Species Family 🖤 Found Family 😺 Reluctant Guardian 🗣️ Talking Animals

The Labors of Hercules Beal

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2023

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

4.48

8k+

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Labors of Hercules Beal 93%

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2023

4.48

8k+ ratings

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

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 93%

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

Life, and Death, and Giants

by Ron Rindo

Gabriel Fisher is born a giant in Amish country. Every world that claims him will lose him.

4.29

34k+

🦒 Gentle Giant 🐴 Amish Life 💔 Hidden Abuse 🐾 Animal Bond 👁️ Multiple Perspectives

Life, and Death, and Giants 90%

Gabriel Fisher is born a giant in Amish country. Every world that claims him will lose him.

by Ron Rindo 2025

4.29

34k+ ratings

🦒 Gentle Giant 🐴 Amish Life 💔 Hidden Abuse 🐾 Animal Bond 👁️ Multiple Perspectives

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 91%

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

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

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

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 91%

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

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 90%

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

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 90%

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

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 90%

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crow Talk

by Eileen Garvin • 2024

An ornithologist escapes to a remote lake, where a silent boy and a wounded crow find her.

4.12

5k+

🍃 Nature Fiction 👯 Female Friendship 🏠 Found Family 🧩 Neurodivergent Child 🖤 Grieving Woman

Crow Talk 90%

An ornithologist escapes to a remote lake, where a silent boy and a wounded crow find her.

by Eileen Garvin 2024

4.12

5k+ ratings

🍃 Nature Fiction 👯 Female Friendship 🏠 Found Family 🧩 Neurodivergent Child 🖤 Grieving Woman

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 90%

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 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

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