Families who loved Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus by Tom Angleberger 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 grader is facing a major transition, such as graduating from elementary school or moving to a new town, and is struggling with the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to friends. This final installment of the Origami Yoda series follows Tommy and his classmates on a field trip to Washington, D.C., where they must navigate social pressures, the end of their middle school journey, and the temptation of the 'Dark Side' (in the form of Emperor Pickletine). It expertly blends wacky humor with profound lessons on loyalty, forgiveness, and the courage required to grow up. Parents will appreciate how it validates the anxiety of change while modeling healthy peer support and the power of creative expression.
