Families who loved Ellie Engle Saves the World Herself! by Leah Johnson 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 feels like they are disappearing into the background or struggling with a friend group that is moving faster than they are. It is a perfect choice for the quiet observer who needs to know that their voice matters just as much as the loudest person in the room. The story follows Ellie, a middle schooler who prefers the sidelines but suddenly gains the power to bring things back to life with a touch. As she navigates her new abilities and a changing friendship with her popular best friend, Abby, she discovers that being a hero is about more than just magic. It is about the courage to be seen and the strength to stand up for your own truth. This is a secular, empowering story for ages 8 to 12 that tackles the messy transition into adolescence with humor and heart.
