Families who loved Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb 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 facing a summer of canceled plans, or when family stress and busy schedules make them feel a bit like a background character in their own life. It is a gentle, optimistic story about finding magic in small moments and taking initiative to create your own fun when things do not go as planned. Cody is a whimsical protagonist who must navigate her mother's career change, her father's long absences as a truck driver, and her older brother's teenage angst. When her summer camp is canceled, she turns a potential disappointment into an adventure by befriending a neighbor and helping him search for a lost cat. It is a perfect choice for 7 to 10 year olds who are ready for chapter books that mirror the everyday realities of modern family life with humor and heart.
