Families who loved Call Me Hope by Gretchen Olson 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 you notice your child is struggling with a difficult or emotionally volatile relationship with a caregiver, or if they seem to be taking on the weight of a parent's stress. While the story centers on Hope's experience with a mother who uses hurtful language, it is ultimately a masterclass in developing internal boundaries and finding self-worth independent of a parent's approval. Hope's journey is one of incredible resilience. By drawing parallels to her school unit on the Holocaust and the strength of Anne Frank, she learns to 'survive' her home life without losing her spirit. It is a realistic, hopeful, and deeply empowering choice for middle-grade readers navigating emotional complexity at home. It models how to seek support from trusted adults and how to stand up for one's emotional safety.