Families who loved Carmine's Story: A Book About a Boy Living with AIDS by Arlene Schulman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a serious health diagnosis or when they want to foster deep empathy for those living with chronic, life-threatening illnesses. It is particularly helpful for explaining the human side of the AIDS epidemic in a way that is grounded in reality rather than fear. The book follows Carmine, a young boy, as he shares the honest details of his daily life, medical treatments, and emotions. While the subject matter is heavy, the first-person narrative creates an intimate connection that helps children ages 7 to 11 understand that a person is more than their disease. Parents will appreciate the way it demystifies a complex medical topic through a lens of bravery and resilience.
