Families who loved New Kid in School by Jasmine Jones 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 feeling the social pressures of middle school, particularly the awkwardness of wanting to impress a crush while feeling like the odd one out. This story follows Lizzie McGuire as she navigates a lunch date with her crush, Ethan Craft, only to have her plans derailed by a cool new student from Fiji who seems to capture everyone's attention. It is a lighthearted, relatable exploration of social anxiety, the fear of being replaced, and the humor found in life's most embarrassing moments. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12, this chapter book normalizes the intense feelings children have about their social status and romantic interests. It offers a safe space for kids to laugh at the chaotic nature of school friendships. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's feelings of jealousy and insecurity without being overly heavy, providing a perfect bridge for discussing how to stay true to oneself when new people join a social circle.