Families who loved It's Not Easy Being Bad by Cynthia Voigt 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 grappling with the exhausting pressure to fit in or feeling like their natural personality is a social liability. It follows inseparable best friends Mikey and Margalo as they enter seventh grade and attempt to navigate the rigid hierarchies of junior high. Unlike stories about 'mean girls' that focus on bullying, this book explores the intellectual and emotional gymnastics of trying to be popular when you are inherently an outsider. It is a brilliant study of friendship loyalty and the realization that normal is often just a performance. It is ideal for ages 10 to 14, providing a humorous yet sharp look at the social contracts of adolescence and the power of having one person who truly sees you.