Families who loved Reel Life Starring Us by Lisa Greenwald 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 schooler is feeling the sting of social exclusion or seems preoccupied with the perfect lives of popular peers. It follows Dina, a creative new girl, and Chelsea, a school queen bee, as they collaborate on a video project. While Dina hopes the partnership will secure her social status, she discovers that Chelsea is secretly struggling with her father's job loss and her family's financial instability. This story is a gentle yet honest look at empathy and the hidden burdens people carry. It is ideal for ages 10 to 14, offering a realistic perspective on why friends sometimes act out and why popularity isn't a shield against real life problems.