Families who loved Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation by Sylvia Liu 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 starts asking questions about the hidden costs of technology or feeling the social pressure of always being connected. Set in a near-future where kids can mesh their brains directly to the multiweb, the story follows Hana as she uncovers a conspiracy involving a powerful tech corporation and a mysterious illness affecting her peers. It explores critical themes of corporate ethics, the value of physical connection, and the courage to challenge a system that everyone else accepts. This fast-paced mystery is ideal for middle grade readers who enjoy high-stakes adventure and are beginning to navigate the complexities of our own digital world. It offers a perfect bridge for discussing digital citizenship and the importance of critical thinking without being preachy.
