Families who loved Learning to Fall by Sally Engelfried 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 grappling with resentment toward a family member or struggling to understand that adults can be flawed and still love them. It is an ideal choice for navigating the space between anger and forgiveness, particularly after a long absence or a broken promise. Twelve-year-old Daphne is spending the summer with her dad, a man she barely knows because of his past struggles with alcoholism. As he teaches her to skateboard, the physical acts of falling and getting back up become a metaphor for their relationship. This middle grade novel handles sensitive themes like addiction and estrangement with a grounded, realistic lens. It is a powerful tool for modeling how to set boundaries while still leaving the door open for healing.