Families who loved Tall Story by Candy Gourlay 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 grappling with a change in family dynamics, such as the arrival of a new sibling or relative, or if they feel like an outsider because of their height or cultural background. Tall Story masterfully addresses the bittersweet reality of immigration and the long wait for family reunification. It follows Andi, a basketball obsessed girl in London, and her long lost brother Bernardo, a literal giant living in the Philippines. The story explores the heavy weight of expectations and the search for belonging across two very different worlds. It is an ideal pick for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 14) who are ready for a sophisticated look at identity and the invisible threads that connect us to our heritage. Parents will appreciate how it validates the frustration of being different while offering a hopeful path toward acceptance.