Families who loved Making Strides by Lauren Brooke 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 are on the outside looking in, even when they are part of a group. It is a perfect choice for the pre-teen who struggles to find their voice or feels like they have to prove their worth to be accepted by their peers. The story follows Malory at a prestigious boarding school as she bonds with an misunderstood, defensive horse named Tybalt. Through this connection, she learns to trust her own intuition and finds the courage to assert her identity within her social circle. This gentle, realistic novel navigates the complexities of middle school friendships and the pressure to succeed. While it is a dream for horse lovers, the emotional core focuses on resilience and the quiet strength found in empathy. It provides a safe space for readers aged 9 to 12 to explore feelings of isolation and the rewarding, yet difficult, process of building authentic trust with both animals and people.