Families who loved The War with Mr. Wizzle by Gordon Korman 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 if your child is struggling to fit in with peers or prefers the company of adults and grandparents over kids their own age. This humorous and heartfelt story follows twelve year old Dexter Foreman, who has been raised and homeschooled in a retirement community. When a truancy officer forces him into a local middle school, Dex is a fish out of water with his vintage clothes and old soul personality. It is an ideal choice for navigating the transition to a new school or dealing with the fear of being perceived as weird. The story explores themes of identity, intergenerational friendship, and the courage it takes to be oneself in a high pressure social environment. Parents will appreciate Korman's trademark wit and the respectful, loving depiction of the bond between children and the elderly. It is a perfect middle grade read that validates the experience of those who do not quite fit the standard mold.