Families who loved Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures by Tricia Springstubb 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 feels like they do not quite fit in with their peers or when you want to nurture a sense of community with neighbors of different ages and backgrounds. It is a quiet, soulful story about Khalil, a young boy, and Mr. Hagerty, his elderly neighbor, who both feel a bit out of place in their respective worlds. While Khalil struggles with his boisterous family and Mr. Hagerty deals with the slow pace of aging, they find a shared language through gardening and hidden treasures. This story beautifully models how friendship can bridge generational and cultural gaps, making it a perfect choice for teaching empathy and the value of slow, meaningful connections. It is a gentle reminder that friendship does not always have to look like a playground full of kids, sometimes it looks like a quiet afternoon in the yard.
