Families who loved The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their children are struggling with the frustrations and awkwardness of a new blended family. The story follows five children, recently joined by their parents' marriage, who must navigate their new, often tense, home life under the roof of a grumpy stepfather they've nicknamed 'The Ogre.' When he gives them two chemistry sets that turn out to be magical, the ensuing chaos forces the rival stepsiblings to cooperate. For ages 8-12, this book uses humor and wild fantasy to explore themes of jealousy, teamwork, and learning to see things from another's perspective. It's a perfect choice for normalizing the bumpy transition of joining two families into one.