Families who loved The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott 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 feels like an outsider or struggles with the weight of being different from their peers. This gripping fantasy follows Agatha, a young woman with Down syndrome who serves as a lookouts on her island, and Jaime, a boy grappling with severe anxiety and a forced marriage. When their entire clan is kidnapped by a mysterious enemy, these two unlikely heroes must cross a dangerous, mythic landscape to save their people. It is a story about discovering that the very traits others see as weaknesses are actually unique strengths. While the world is dark and the stakes are high, the core of the book is a deeply compassionate exploration of identity, neurodivergence, and the courage it takes to trust oneself. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who enjoy high-stakes adventure and are ready for some intense, gritty sequences.