Families who loved The Problem Child by Michael Buckley 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 feeling the heavy weight of family responsibility or struggling with the fear of being 'the difficult one' in the sibling dynamic. This third installment in the Sisters Grimm series finds Sabrina and Daphne digging deeper into the mystery of their missing parents, with Sabrina grappling with intense anger and a desire for power to protect those she loves. It is a story about finding bravery in the face of deep-seated secrets and learning that even the most 'troubled' child has a place and a purpose. While it is wrapped in the fun of fractured fairy tales, it addresses the very real emotional toll of family separation and the burden of being a protector. This is an excellent choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy complex mysteries and are ready for slightly darker, more nuanced emotional stakes within a fantasy setting.