Families who loved Brains For Lunch: A Zombie Novel in Haiku?! by K. A. Holt 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 middle schooler is navigating the social hierarchies of junior high and feels like they do not quite fit the mold. It is an ideal choice for a child who uses humor or creativity as a shield or for one who is struggling to find common ground with peers who seem vastly different from themselves. Through the lens of a zombie who loves haiku, the story tackles the universal awkwardness of first crushes and the courage required to be authentic in a judgmental environment. While the premise is supernatural, the emotional core is deeply grounded in the reality of preteen life. Parents will appreciate how it uses the absurdity of monsters to make the very real anxieties of growing up feel manageable and even funny. It is a light, accessible read that validates the experience of the outsider without being heavy-handed.
