Families who loved The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne by Barry Jonsberg 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 teenager is feeling disillusioned by unfair school dynamics or feels like an outsider who doesn't fit the typical student mold. It is a sharp, darkly comedic look at the bond between Calma, a brilliant but cynical writer, and Kiffo, a boy labeled as a failure by the system. When they begin spying on an abusive teacher they suspect of criminal activity, they navigate a world of shifting loyalties and moral complexity. This story is ideal for parents who want to validate their child's frustrations with authority while exploring the nuances of true friendship and the reality that people are rarely who they seem. It handles heavy themes like social class and systemic neglect with a witty, sophisticated voice suited for mature teens.
