Families who loved There Will Be Bears by Ryan Gebhart 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 with the changing health of a beloved grandparent or feeling like they no longer fit in with their old friend group. It tells the story of thirteen-year-old Tyson, who attempts to reclaim a sense of normalcy by sneaking his ailing grandfather out of a nursing home for one last elk hunt. The story balances dry humor with the heavy reality of aging and the complexities of growing up. It is ideal for middle schoolers (ages 10-14) who appreciate survival adventures but are also ready to navigate themes of family loyalty, the ethics of making difficult choices, and the bittersweet process of saying goodbye to childhood. Parents will value how it honors the deep bond between generations while showing the messy, realistic side of independence.