Families who loved The Meantime by Bernie MacKinnon 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 is feeling the heavy weight of being an outsider or is processing their first direct encounters with systemic prejudice and community hostility. The Meantime follows a Black family as they move into a predominantly white, middle-class suburb, only to be met with escalating tension and open resentment from neighbors and peers alike. It is a raw look at the emotional toll of maintaining one's dignity in a space that feels unwelcoming. Written with psychological insight, the story explores themes of identity, family solidarity, and the frustration of injustice. While it tackles difficult social realities, it serves as a powerful mirror for children in similar situations and a window for others to understand the daily courage required to navigate biased environments. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who are ready for honest, often uncomfortable conversations about race and belonging.