Clare Vanderpool writes books that really stick with you. Her stories often feature young people figuring things out in interesting times and places. If you are searching for authors who create novels with a similar atmosphere, this list is for you.
These writers also tell stories about growing up, set against vivid backdrops from history. They are good at making you think and feel, all while keeping you turning pages. Get ready to meet some new favorites.
Katherine Paterson is an author known for heartfelt stories set in small towns and close-knit communities. Her thoughtful storytelling often focuses on young characters who face meaningful challenges and friendships.
In her book “Bridge to Terabithia,” readers meet Jess Aarons, a young boy struggling to fit in at school and at home. Jess develops a deep friendship with Leslie Burke, whose imaginative outlook transforms his daily life.
Together, Jess and Leslie create their own hidden kingdom called Terabithia, a magical place where they escape from everyday troubles. But when tragedy strikes unexpectedly, Jess must find his own way to handle loss and discover strength he never knew he had.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s impactful novels about friendship, resilience, and personal journeys may appreciate Paterson’s warm and deeply moving stories.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s heartfelt storytelling will appreciate Kate DiCamillo’s novels. DiCamillo writes stories full of warmth, depth, and unforgettable characters.
In her novel “Because of Winn-Dixie,” readers meet Opal, a young girl who has just moved to a new town. Opal finds companionship in a stray dog she names Winn-Dixie.
Through this unusual friendship, she connects with fascinating people in her community and uncovers touching truths about family, loss, and friendship. This book shows readers simple yet profound lessons about life, with humor and charm along the way.
Lois Lowry is an American children’s author known for stories of deep emotional power set within impactful historical events or imagined societies.
If you are drawn to Clare Vanderpool’s tales of young characters navigating life’s challenges with bravery, Lowry’s “Number the Stars” might resonate with you.
Set during World War II in occupied Denmark, the book follows ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen as she faces danger to protect her Jewish friend Ellen from Nazi persecution.
Lowry explores courage, friendship, and sacrifice through Annemarie’s eyes, highlighting ordinary people’s quiet strength during extraordinary times.
Sharon Creech is a wonderful storyteller who often explores themes of family, identity, and belonging through the eyes of relatable young protagonists. Her writing style is heartfelt and vivid, with enough depth to resonate with fans of Clare Vanderpool.
One of her standout novels, “Walk Two Moons,” takes readers on a road trip alongside thirteen-year-old Salamanca, or Sal for short. Sal travels cross-country with her grandparents in search of her mother, who left home and never returned.
As miles pass, Sal reflects on the memories, friendships, and mysteries that mark her young life, revealing a poignant tale about grief, love, and understanding.
Readers who appreciate stories that blend realism with emotional insight, similar to Vanderpool’s “Moon Over Manifest,” might find Creech’s storytelling equally engaging.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s heartfelt storytelling may also appreciate author Pam Muñoz Ryan. Ryan often writes stories filled with warmth, resilience, and memorable characters.
Her book “Esperanza Rising” shares a moving tale of Esperanza, a young girl whose comfortable life in Mexico suddenly shifts when tragedy forces her family to California during the Great Depression.
Esperanza faces difficult situations on a farm labor camp; yet through it all, she learns important lessons about family, hope, and inner strength. This novel beautifully captures the struggles and courage of immigrant families, offering a story both touching and inspiring.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s attention to historical detail and rich storytelling may appreciate Elizabeth George Speare. Speare writes historical novels with characters who face significant personal challenges, authentically set against well-researched backgrounds.
One of her notable works, “The Witch of Blackbird Pond,” centers on Kit Tyler, a spirited young woman who leaves her carefree home in Barbados to live with strict Puritan relatives in colonial Connecticut.
Kit soon finds herself at odds with her new community due to her independent nature and unfamiliar customs. When suspicions of witchcraft arise, she must navigate prejudice and suspicion to protect herself and those she grows to love.
The book captures the tension and drama of early colonial America while vividly portraying the courage required to stand against societal pressures.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s heartfelt storytelling might appreciate Gary D. Schmidt’s novels that blend humor and depth. Schmidt often writes about young people’s struggles against challenging circumstances, highlighting their resilience and growth.
In his book “Okay for Now,” Doug Swieteck moves to a small town and grapples with family troubles, struggles at school, and finding his place in a new community.
Doug’s discovery of drawing, friendship, and a connection to Audubon’s artwork provide meaningful moments that balance out his hardships. Schmidt creates characters who are relatable, authentic, and memorable, making “Okay for Now” a thoughtful read for fans of Vanderpool.
Books by Anne Ursu often blend relatable characters, imaginative settings, and thoughtful storytelling. If you enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s rich narratives and emotionally resonant stories, you might appreciate Ursu’s “Breadcrumbs.”
This book tells the story of Hazel, a girl who must journey into a mysterious, enchanted forest to find her best friend Jack. Jack has suddenly disappeared, lured into a magical world inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tales.
Like Vanderpool, Ursu crafts characters that feel authentic, placing them in adventures that explore friendship and bravery. “Breadcrumbs” combines realistic struggles of growing up with fairy-tale magic, making it a memorable read.
Brian Selznick crafts imaginative stories that blend written storytelling and intricate illustrations beautifully. Readers who appreciate Clare Vanderpool’s emotional narratives and attention to historical detail may find something special in Selznick’s work.
In his novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” Selznick introduces Hugo, a young orphan living secretly inside a busy Paris train station. Hugo spends his days mending broken clocks and trying to unlock the mystery left behind by his late father.
The story combines text with remarkable pencil drawings, creating a captivating world of silent films, hidden mechanisms, and secrets waiting to be discovered.
For those who enjoyed Vanderpool’s blend of adventure and heartfelt storytelling, Brian Selznick’s books offer a similar depth and warmth.
Karen Cushman writes historical fiction that opens windows into everyday life in past eras through characters who feel fresh and relatable.
In her book “Catherine, Called Birdy,” Cushman introduces readers to fourteen-year-old Catherine, the spirited daughter of a medieval English knight.
Told through Catherine’s witty and honest diary entries, the book reveals her daily life, her humorous struggles against the marriage plans her father arranges, and her determination to forge her own path.
Fans of Clare Vanderpool’s character-driven historical novels set against rich, detailed backgrounds will likely find a lot to appreciate in Cushman’s writing.
Susan Cooper is an author known for capturing historical legends and folklore in thoughtful and imaginative ways. Her novel “Over Sea, Under Stone” introduces readers to three siblings who spend their summer vacation in a mysterious English coastal village.
When they discover an old map hidden in their great-uncle’s house, the children realize they’re on the trail of the legendary Holy Grail. But they’re not the only ones searching for it.
Soon the adventure turns into a race that pits them against a secretive and dangerous group determined to claim the Grail’s power. Cooper blends mythology, history, and a timeless sense of wonder that readers of Clare Vanderpool will certainly appreciate.
Patricia MacLachlan is an author you might enjoy if you appreciate Clare Vanderpool’s heartfelt storytelling. MacLachlan often explores themes of family, loss, and the comfort found in unexpected places.
Her book “Sarah, Plain and Tall” tells the story of two siblings named Anna and Caleb, whose father invites a mail-order bride to their prairie home after losing their mother. Sarah is practical, warm, yet distant at first.
The children’s cautious hope and quiet yearning for connection pull you gently into their world. MacLachlan uses simple, thoughtful language that conveys deep emotional depth, similar to how Vanderpool carefully builds her characters’ inner lives.
Madeleine L’Engle is a celebrated author known for weaving stories that explore family, adventure, and timeless connections. If you enjoy Clare Vanderpool for her gentle yet profound storytelling, Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” offers a similar atmosphere.
In this book, young Meg Murry struggles with feelings of isolation and self-doubt, but her life shifts dramatically when she, her brother Charles Wallace, and a new friend, Calvin, travel through space and time.
They must rescue Meg’s father from a mysterious evil force spreading darkness across the universe. With themes of courage, friendship, and love, the novel blends realistic characters with imaginative worlds that pull readers into an unforgettable story.
Readers who enjoy Clare Vanderpool might also appreciate the storytelling of Ruth Vander Zee. Vander Zee writes sensitively and simply, drawing readers into emotional narratives rooted in history and personal experience.
Her book “Erika’s Story” tells a powerful tale inspired by real events from World War II. Erika knows little of her origins: as an infant, she was thrown to safety from a train headed for a concentration camp, with only the briefest note of explanation.
The story gently explores themes of identity, survival, and resilience through Erika’s eyes. Vander Zee’s thoughtful approach and clear prose beautifully capture this unforgettable piece of history.
If you enjoy Clare Vanderpool’s heartfelt storytelling and rich historical settings, Eva Ibbotson is an author worth exploring. Known for her charming characters and imaginative plots, Ibbotson often blends history with a dash of whimsy.
Her book “Journey to the River Sea” follows Maia, an orphan who leaves England for Brazil in the early 1900s. Maia anticipates an exciting life near the Amazon River, but soon discovers her distant relatives are rigid and cold.
Maia’s adventure unfolds vividly through the wonders of the rainforest, surprising friendships and unexpected discoveries about herself. Readers who appreciate stories filled with warmth, historical detail, and adventurous journeys could find Eva Ibbotson’s work engaging.