Families who loved Risk N' Roses by Jan Slepian 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 is struggling with the burden of caring for a sibling or feeling forced to choose between family loyalty and the desire to fit in with a popular, potentially risky group of friends. Set in 1948, it follows eleven-year-old Skip as she navigates the emotional minefield of moving to a new neighborhood in the Bronx while looking after her sister, Angela, who has an intellectual disability. This story provides a raw and honest look at the guilt, shame, and resentment that can accompany family responsibilities. It is a powerful tool for opening conversations about peer pressure and the difficult realization that our idols are often flawed. Best suited for middle schoolers, it offers a realistic rather than idealized resolution to complex social dilemmas.