Families who loved With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies? by Angela Shelf Medearis 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 comes home feeling invisible or when their long term friendship suddenly feels like a competition. It is an essential choice for children grappling with the confusing shift from childhood playmates to the complex social hierarchies of the pre-teen years. The story follows Delores as she navigates the sting of being outshone by a flashy new friend while neglecting the people who truly care for her. Through relatable school scenarios, it explores the heavy weight of jealousy and the courage required to admit when you have been a bad friend. It provides a realistic roadmap for rebuilding self-confidence after being treated like a second choice. Parents will appreciate how the book validates the painful reality of social rejection while offering a hopeful path toward genuine connection and self-acceptance.
