Books Like MapHead
Families who loved MapHead by Lesley Howarth often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved MapHead by Lesley Howarth 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 from another planet, struggling to find their footing in a new school or social circle. It is a perfect choice for the pre-teen who feels deeply misunderstood or is grappling with a sense of 'otherness.' The story follows MapHead, a boy from an alternative dimension who can project maps onto his skin, as he tries to navigate the bizarre rules of a British school while searching for the human mother he has never met. Through a blend of science fiction and realistic school drama, the book explores themes of identity, the complexity of family, and the search for belonging. It is gentle enough for middle-grade readers but offers significant emotional depth regarding the longing for a parent. Parents will appreciate how it validates the 'weirdness' of puberty by literalizing it through MapHead's supernatural differences, making it a supportive read for any child who feels they don't quite fit the mold.
