Families who loved The Return of the Indian by Lynne Reid Banks 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 is navigating the bittersweet experience of moving to a new town or struggling to keep an old friendship alive across a distance. It is an ideal choice for the imaginative 8 to 12 year old who uses storytelling and fantasy to process their own feelings of loneliness and change. As Omri settles into a new life, his longing for the magic of his past leads him to reunite with Little Bear, only to discover that both he and his friend have changed in significant ways. While the story is an exciting adventure, it serves as a thoughtful exploration of how we preserve memories and the responsibility we have toward those we care about. Parents will appreciate how it tackles the complexity of growing up and the realization that you cannot always go back to exactly how things were. It is a more mature, action-oriented sequel that rewards readers who enjoyed the first book's sense of wonder.