Families who loved Elvis & Olive by Stephanie Watson 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 beginning to navigate the social complexities of keeping and sharing secrets, or when they are feeling like an outsider in their own neighborhood. It is a perfect choice for the middle-grade reader who is curious about others but perhaps a bit clumsy with the boundaries of privacy and friendship. The story follows Natalie and Annie, two girls with very different personalities who bond over a summer of spying on their neighbors. As their 'Spy Club' antics lead to unintended consequences, they must confront the ethical weight of what they have discovered and the vulnerabilities they have tried to hide from each other. It is a gentle, realistic exploration of the messy process of building trust and the realization that everyone has a hidden world. Ideal for ages 8 to 11, it provides a safe space to discuss honesty and empathy.