Families who loved Honestly, Katie John! by Mary Calhoun 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 daughter starts feeling the sudden, uncomfortable pressure to act grown up or trade her tree-climbing for boy-girl parties. It is a classic remedy for the girl who feels caught in the middle: too old for dolls but not quite ready for the social performance of junior high. The story follows eleven-year-old Katie John as she navigates the transition to sixth grade, dealing with a new Boy-Girl Club, the embarrassment of her first crush, and the internal struggle to remain true to herself while wanting to fit in. At its heart, this is a book about identity and the awkwardness of early adolescence. It validates the feeling that growing up can be confusing and even unwanted at times. Written with a light, humorous touch, it helps normalize the 'messy middle' years for girls aged 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate the wholesome but realistic portrayal of 1960s adolescence, which remains surprisingly relevant to the social anxieties modern children face today.