Families who loved The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan 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 feels trapped by a streak of bad luck or feels like an outsider after a big life change. Eugenia Wang is convinced her family is cursed, and moving to a new town only seems to prove it. Through the accessible medium of a graphic novel, this story explores the heavy weight of anxiety and the pressure of cultural expectations with a light, humorous touch. It is a perfect fit for middle graders navigating the 'triple threat' of a new school, complex family dynamics, and the search for self-confidence. Parents will appreciate how Stan Yan uses the concept of a 'curse' as a metaphor for the internal narratives children build about themselves. The story validates the very real stress of trying to fit in while honoring one's heritage. It offers a hopeful roadmap for moving from passive victimhood to active resilience. At its heart, this is a story about realizing that while we cannot control every 'misfortune,' we have the power to define who we are in spite of them.
