Families who loved Call Me Drog by Sue Cowing 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 is struggling to advocate for themselves or feels overshadowed by more dominant personalities. Parker is a quiet eleven-year-old who finds a mysterious, crusty hand puppet named Drog that literally will not come off his hand. Even weirder? Drog starts speaking for him, saying the bold, blunt, and often rude things Parker is too afraid to say to his overbearing best friend and his distant parents. While the premise is fantastical and funny, it serves as a powerful metaphor for finding one's internal voice. Parents will appreciate how the story handles complex family dynamics, including a father who is physically present but emotionally absent. It is a perfect middle-grade read for children aged 8 to 12 who are navigating the shift from childhood compliance to adolescent independence.