Families who loved The Bronze Key by Holly Black 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 wrestling with the fear that they are fundamentally bad or that their past mistakes define their future. As the third entry in the Magisterium series, this story explores the heavy burden of keeping a secret identity and the paralyzing fear of being judged for who you are inside. While it is wrapped in a high stakes fantasy mystery at a magical school, the heart of the story focuses on trust, the importance of loyal friends, and the struggle to choose goodness even when you feel destined for darkness. It is an excellent choice for middle grade readers who enjoy complex heroes and stories where the line between hero and villain is blurred. Parents will find it a helpful tool for discussing self confidence and the idea that our choices, not our origins, define our character.