Families who loved The Incredible Magic of Being by Kathryn Erskine 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 if your child is a deep thinker who feels a cosmic weight on their shoulders or struggles with anxiety about their health and the safety of those they love. It is a beautiful choice for families navigating the turbulence of moving to a new place or managing the shifting dynamics between siblings as they grow up. The story follows nine-year-old Julian, a boy obsessed with space and the universe, who believes he has a special uni-sense due to his near-death experience at birth. Julian is convinced he will soon die and return to the stars, so he dedicates himself to fixing his family's problems and helping a grieving neighbor. Erskine treats Julian's existential dread with a light, often humorous touch that makes big questions about mortality and belonging accessible for middle-grade readers. It is a heartfelt exploration of empathy, science, and the invisible threads that connect us all.