Families who loved Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman 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 starts asking difficult questions about why some people have so much while others have so little, or when they are struggling to understand how to stay hopeful in the face of unfairness. Born Behind Bars follows nine-year-old Kabir, who has spent his entire life in an Indian prison because his mother was wrongfully incarcerated. When he is suddenly released into the streets of Chennai alone, he must navigate a world he has never seen with nothing but his resilience and the help of a new friend. This is a profound story about systemic injustice, the definition of family, and the power of goodness in a harsh world. It is ideally suited for middle grade readers (ages 10 to 14) who are ready for a realistic look at global poverty and social reform, providing a safe space to discuss heavy topics through the lens of a courageous and optimistic protagonist.