Families who loved Josie and the Michael Street Kids by Penni Russon 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 facing the daunting prospect of a big move or the quiet anxiety of being the new kid on the block. It is a gentle, realistic look at Josie, a young girl who has just moved to Michael Street and feels like an outsider looking in at the established group of neighborhood children. The story captures the delicate transition from loneliness to belonging with remarkable empathy. Through Josie's eyes, parents can help their children process the nerves associated with making first friends and finding one's place in a new environment. This chapter book is perfectly paced for 6 to 9-year-olds, offering a comforting narrative that normalizes the fear of rejection while modeling how small acts of bravery can lead to lasting connections. It is an ideal choice for building emotional resilience during times of family transition.
