Families who loved Frogs & French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski 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 dizzying social pressures of first crushes, school dances, and the temptation to take 'short cuts' to gain popularity or affection. It is a lighthearted yet relatable story about Rachel, a girl who tries to use her sister's magic to fix her romantic life, only to find that forced feelings and magical quick-fixes create more chaos than they solve. The story tackles the universal teen experience of feeling invisible and the intense desire to belong. While the magic is the hook, the heart of the book is about Rachel learning to take responsibility for her mistakes and realizing that authentic relationships cannot be manufactured. It is a safe, humorous exploration of social hierarchy and self-acceptance that provides a natural bridge for talking about honesty and the ethics of how we treat our peers.