Families who loved The Spanish Kidnapping Disaster by Mary Downing Hahn 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 struggling to navigate the resentment, jealousy, or 'forced' feeling of a newly blended family. In this high-stakes adventure, stepsisters Amy and Felix are locked in a cycle of mutual dislike until a terrifying kidnapping in Spain forces them to drop their guards. The story masterfully addresses how misplaced anger and the desire to impress others can lead to real-world consequences, ultimately showing that family is built through shared trials and mutual protection. It is a gripping choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy suspense but need a gentle nudge toward empathy and sibling cooperation. Parents will appreciate how it validates the difficult feelings of step-siblings without sugar-coating the initial friction.
