Families who loved The Glass Café by Gary Paulsen 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 starting to notice that the world often judges people by their jobs or appearances rather than their hearts. It is a perfect choice for a preteen who feels like an outsider or lives in a non-traditional family and needs reassurance that their home life is valid, even if it does not look like the ones on TV. Tony is a gifted twelve-year-old artist whose mother works as an exotic dancer. When the authorities get involved because of his mother's profession, the story transforms into a humorous yet poignant defense of creative expression and family loyalty. This book tackles heavy themes of social services and public perception with a light, satirical touch. It is ultimately a celebration of the fierce bond between a mother and son and the idea that being 'different' does not mean being 'wrong.'