Families who loved Escape from the Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is wrestling with the concept of reputation versus reality or struggling to balance loyalty to their roots with a desire to change. While it serves as a bridge between the Descendants films, it deeply explores the internal conflict of wanting to do good while originating from a difficult background. The story follows Mal and her friends as they return to their childhood home to recruit new students for their school, while facing a revenge plot from their rivals. It touches on themes of forgiveness and the courage required to extend a hand to those who have hurt you. It is perfectly suited for children ages 8 to 12 who enjoy high stakes magic and are beginning to understand that identity is a choice we make every day, rather than a fixed inheritance from our parents.
