Families who loved Besties! by Jennifer L. Holm often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child expresses feeling like a 'second choice' or mentions a best friend has started playing with someone new. It is a perfect tool for navigating the common childhood sting of social displacement and the urge to compete for a friend's affection. Through the relatable and imaginative Babymouse, the story explores themes of jealousy, the pressure to be the best, and the realization that friendship is not a finite resource. This graphic novel is highly appropriate for elementary readers, offering a humorous and low-pressure way to talk about the complex social hierarchies of the schoolyard. Parents will appreciate how it validates the very real pain of feeling left out while modeling how to move through envy toward a more secure sense of self. It is especially helpful for children who struggle with comparison or who feel they aren't 'talented' enough to keep up with their peers.