Families who loved Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles 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 middle-schooler is beginning to notice the heavy weight of adult problems, like family finances, or is feeling the confusing pressure to start 'dating' when they aren't ready. Where the Heart Is follows thirteen-year-old Rachel during a summer of significant transition. While she navigates a difficult job caring for a neighbor's farm, she also witnesses her parents' mounting stress over a potential foreclosure. Simultaneously, she must navigate a changing friendship with Micah, who wants to be more than friends, leading Rachel to question her own identity and what it means to truly follow her heart. It is a compassionate, realistic look at the loss of childhood innocence and the resilience of family bonds, perfect for ages 10 to 14.