Families who loved Scenes from the Epic Life of a Total Genius by Stacey Matson 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 grappling with the messy, often hilarious complications of social hierarchies, first romances, and the pressure of creative ambition. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like their life is a series of dramatic mishaps or who struggles to balance new relationships with old loyalties. Arthur Bean returns in this sequel, navigating the fallout of a borrowed movie camera and the friction between his new girlfriend and his best friend. Through a clever mix of emails, texts, and doodles, the story explores themes of jealousy, honesty, and the value of true friendship. It normalizes the feeling of being overwhelmed by social expectations while maintaining a lighthearted, humorous tone. Parents will appreciate how it models the importance of owning up to mistakes and the reality that growing up involves learning to see beyond one's own ego. It is a relatable, secular, and high-interest read for the 9 to 12 age range.
