Books Like Fighting for Dontae
Families who loved Fighting for Dontae by Mike Castan often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Fighting for Dontae by Mike Castan 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 schooler is navigating the intense pressure to fit in with a tough crowd or when they are struggling to reconcile their public persona with their private values. It is a powerful choice for families discussing the weight of peer influence and the bravery required to show compassion in environments where vulnerability is seen as a weakness. Javier is a seventh grader caught between the demands of his gang-affiliated peers and his unexpected bond with Dontae, a boy with severe disabilities. As Javier moves from resentment to genuine friendship, the story explores themes of empathy, integrity, and the high cost of standing alone. It is a realistic, gritty, yet ultimately hopeful look at how one positive connection can change the trajectory of a young life. Best suited for ages 12 and up due to its honest depiction of gang culture and social consequences.
