Families who loved The Unofficial Lola Bay Fan Club by C. M. Surrisi 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 tricky transition to middle school or struggling with friendship groups that feel like they are shifting beneath their feet. It is an essential read for the child who feels the 'sting' of being left behind by an old best friend or who is tempted to change themselves just to fit in with a cooler, more intense crowd. The story follows Iris as her shared love for pop star Lola Bay becomes a battleground for social status. Through Iris's journey, the book explores the pressure of groupthink, the danger of toxic 'new' friendships, and the importance of listening to your gut when a friend starts making choices that feel wrong. It is a realistic, compassionate guide for handling the social 'gray areas' of the tween years.
