Families who loved The Day Roy Riegels Ran the Wrong Way by Dan Gutman 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 spiraling after a public mistake, whether it is a missed goal in soccer or a wrong answer in class. It is the perfect antidote for a child who feels that one bad moment defines their entire identity. Through a warm conversation between a grandfather and grandson, the story revisits the true historical account of Roy Riegels, who famously ran the wrong way during the 1929 Rose Bowl. This book is a masterclass in perspective. It moves the focus away from the immediate shame of a blunder and toward the resilience required to keep going. By using a real-life sports legend, it provides a factual, non-preachy anchor for kids aged 5 to 10. It normalizes failure as a part of the human experience and highlights the power of forgiveness and family support in moving past our most embarrassing days.
