Families who loved The Planet, the Portal, and a Pizza by Wendy Mass 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 like their life doesn't quite fit the mold or they are struggling to find a sense of belonging in their peer group. Through the lens of a high-stakes multiverse adventure, this story validates the experience of kids who feel unusual or 'othered' by their circumstances. It follows twelve-year-old Piper, whose parents are eccentric inventors, as she teams up with visitors from another dimension to solve a mystery and save her family. The narrative beautifully explores themes of self-identity and the importance of finding your 'crew.' It is perfectly paced for middle-grade readers aged 8 to 12, offering a mix of humor, gentle emotional depth, and accessible science fiction that feels both imaginative and deeply human.
