Families who loved Mayhem by Jeffrey Salane 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 reader feels like they are caught between different worlds or is struggling to find a group where they truly belong. While it is wrapped in a high-stakes spy adventure, the core of the story addresses the profound search for identity and the realization that you don't have to be defined by the expectations of the institutions or adults around you. The story follows M Freeman, a girl who has been trained by both criminal masterminds and elite law enforcement, only to have her memory erased. As she navigates a seemingly normal life that feels inherently wrong, she must decide which parts of her past to embrace and which to leave behind. It is a thrilling exploration of agency and loyalty, perfect for children ages 8 to 12 who enjoy fast-paced mysteries but are also starting to question their own place in the social hierarchy of school.