Families who loved The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott 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 middle-grade child feels like the odd one out, struggles with focus in the classroom, or is beginning to navigate the confusing waters of a first crush. It is a gentle, affirming guide for the child who expresses themselves better through doodles than through small talk and who might be questioning where they fit in the social hierarchy of fifth grade. Through the eyes of Riley, a fifth grader with a wild imagination and a tendency to get distracted, the story explores identity, the discovery of a first queer crush, and the importance of finding your 'people.' The graphic novel format makes these big emotions accessible and less intimidating. It is a secular, hopeful, and deeply relatable choice for parents who want to normalize the process of self-discovery and celebrate the things that make their child unique.