Families who loved Stacey's Big Crush by Ann M. Martin 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 preteen is navigating the bittersweet intersection of growing up: experiencing the dizzying high of a first serious crush while simultaneously facing the grief of a close friend moving away. It provides a gentle, relatable space for children to process the reality that life continues to move forward, often bringing both excitement and sadness at the exact same time. Stacey McGill deals with a massive crush on a student teacher, an experience that brings up feelings of embarrassment and longing, while her best friend Dawn prepares to move across the country. It is perfectly pitched for the 8 to 12 age range, offering a safe look at the complexities of blended families, changing friendships, and the awkwardness of early romantic feelings. Parents will appreciate how it validates these big emotions without being overly dramatic.