Families who loved Love, Ish by Karen Rivers 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-grade child is facing a major life disruption, a sudden illness, or the realization that a cherished dream may have to change. It is a sensitive and imaginative exploration of how we cope when our internal world of fantasy meets a difficult medical reality. Twelve-year-old Ish is obsessed with Mars and plans to be among its first colonists. However, her life takes a sharp turn when she receives a serious medical diagnosis. The story uses her passion for space as a framework for her resilience. While it touches on heavy themes of grief and fear, it remains deeply hopeful and celebrates the power of a child's imagination to provide comfort during hard times. It is best suited for children ages 8 to 12 who appreciate stories that are both realistic and intellectually curious.