Families who loved Grounded by Todd Domke 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 child is dreaming of a massive, seemingly impossible project and needs to see the value of organized planning and creative problem-solving. It is a perfect fit for the 'maker' kid who feels confined by adult expectations or school routines. The story follows a group of eleven-year-olds who launch an ambitious theatrical production to fund their dream of building a real glider. Through humor and high-stakes middle school drama, the book explores themes of leadership, grit, and the technical side of engineering. It captures the unique transition age where children begin to take their own hobbies seriously and learn that success requires more than just a good idea: it requires a team. Parents will appreciate how it models healthy initiative and the way children can navigate social hurdles to achieve a shared goal.