Families who loved The Bad Luck Chair by Sue Wilkowski 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 constantly followed by a cloud of bad luck or when their shyness prevents them from speaking up in school. It is an ideal choice for the middle-grade reader who feels overlooked or lacks the confidence to take a stand when things go wrong. The story follows Addy, a fourth grader who is convinced she is a magnet for mishaps. When she finds herself stuck in the legendary Bad Luck Chair, she must navigate a series of humorous but stressful school-based challenges to break the curse. Through Addy's journey, the book explores themes of self-confidence, the weight of reputation, and the courage it takes to be oneself. It is a relatable and gentle school story that offers a hopeful perspective on overcoming social anxiety and the power of changing one's own narrative.