Families who loved Face to Face by Marion Dane Bauer 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 if your child is struggling with the heavy weight of expectations to be tough, especially when dealing with bullies or an absent father. It is a powerful choice for middle schoolers who feel they have to hide their fears behind a mask of bravery. The story follows thirteen year old Michael as he travels to Colorado to reconnect with his estranged father, a rugged whitewater rafting guide. Michael hopes to prove his manhood but instead finds himself facing his deepest insecurities in the wilderness. It explores themes of self confidence, the reality of parent child relationships, and the true meaning of courage. Parents will appreciate how it validates the feeling of not being enough while offering a realistic path toward self acceptance.