Books Like The Absolute Value of Mike
Families who loved The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine 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 they are failing to live up to a specific family legacy or academic standard. It is a perfect choice for the 'square peg' child who feels overshadowed by a parent's success and struggles with the shame of learning differently. The story follows fourteen year old Mike, whose dyscalculia makes him feel like a disappointment to his genius mathematician father, as he finds his own worth through engineering and community service in a quirky rural town. This middle grade novel tackles heavy themes of identity, grief, and parental expectations with a refreshing dose of humor and heart. It is appropriate for ages 10 to 14, providing a roadmap for kids to define success on their own terms. Parents will appreciate how it validates the frustration of neurodivergence while celebrating the 'absolute value' of a person's character over their test scores.
