Families who loved Unhappy Medium by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel 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 feels like an outsider or is struggling to maintain their own identity within a high-pressure friendship. While it features a spooky mystery involving a ghost who was a medium, the heart of the story is about Kat navigating the complexities of being the less famous friend to a talented musician. It speaks to the emotional need for self-confidence and the courage required to set boundaries with those we love. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12, this story offers a safe way to explore themes of grief and letting go, packaged as a page-turning mountain house mystery. It is a wonderful choice for kids who feel they have a secret or a gift that makes them different and need to see that difference as a strength.