Families who loved Best Enemies Again by Kathleen Leverich often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child comes home complaining about a friend who is constantly bossy, manipulative, or seems to turn every playdate into a competition. It is the perfect tool for a child who feels pushed around by a peer but isn't quite sure how to label that behavior or how to stop it. This chapter book follows Priscilla as she navigates three tricky stories involving her 'best enemy' Felicity, a wealthy girl who always manages to complicate things. The stories explore the frustration of social manipulation and the slow, necessary process of finding one's backbone. At its core, the book addresses themes of justice, peer pressure, and the realization that you don't have to follow a friend's lead if it feels wrong. Targeted at 7 to 10 year olds, it offers a realistic yet humorous look at school-age dynamics. It normalizes the confusing feelings of being 'frenemies' and empowers children to stand up for their own truth.