Books Like Crush
Families who loved Crush by Svetlana Chmakova often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Crush by Svetlana Chmakova 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 starting to feel the heavy weight of social expectations and the fluttery, often confusing, first signs of a romantic crush. This story follows Jorge, a gentle giant who values his close-knit group of friends but finds his world tilted when he realizes he has feelings for a girl named Jasmine. It perfectly captures the moment when childhood play turns into adolescent posturing and the pressure to 'act cool' begins to strain long-term friendships. Through its vibrant graphic novel format, the book explores themes of loyalty, self-confidence, and the bravery required to be your authentic self even when peers are acting differently. It is highly appropriate for ages 10 to 14, offering a healthy and realistic model of how to navigate social dynamics without losing one's integrity. Parents will appreciate the way it validates a boy's emotional complexity and reinforces that kindness is a strength, not a weakness.
