Dashka Slater writes engaging stories for children and young adults, blending fantasy and realism. Her notable books include The Antlered Ship and The 57 Bus, a thoughtful narrative on identity and empathy.
If you enjoy reading books by Dashka Slater then you might also like the following authors:
Jason Reynolds is an American author known for his thoughtful and vibrant storytelling, often centered around young characters navigating challenging circumstances. His book Long Way Down explores the emotional journey of fifteen-year-old Will.
After his brother is fatally shot, Will considers revenge and steps into an elevator with a gun tucked in his waistband. With each floor he passes, he encounters figures from his past who reveal hidden truths and perspectives about violence and grief.
Reynolds tackles tough topics with honesty and compassion, making Long Way Down a powerful choice for readers who appreciate the empathy and depth in Dashka Slater’s narratives.
If you enjoy Dashka Slater’s thoughtful look at complex social issues, then Ibram X. Kendi might catch your interest too. Kendi is a historian and an engaging writer who examines race in America with clarity and honesty.
In his book Stamped from the Beginning, Kendi traces racial ideas through American history by focusing on figures like Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, and Angela Davis.
He shows clearly how racist ideas were built over time, shaped by thinkers, politicians, and ordinary citizens. Kendi makes historical accounts accessible and emphasizes the human impact behind major events.
For readers who appreciated Slater’s The 57 Bus, Kendi’s storytelling provides another opportunity to explore complicated topics through compelling personal narratives and careful research.
Readers who enjoy Dashka Slater’s thoughtful storytelling might also appreciate Elizabeth Partridge’s powerful narratives that tackle important themes.
In her book Boots on the Ground, Partridge tells the stories of the Vietnam War through the eyes of the people who experienced it firsthand. She shares vivid accounts from soldiers, nurses, refugees, and activists, blending personal narratives with historical context.
Partridge takes readers deep into the complexities of war and its lasting impact on individuals. Her honest and compassionate writing reveals the human stories often overshadowed by history books.
Readers who enjoyed Dashka Slater’s thought-provoking narratives and engaging true-life storytelling may appreciate the work of Steve Sheinkin.
Sheinkin has a knack for crafting lively and insightful nonfiction, often focused on pivotal historical events told through personal stories.
His book Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon offers a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes account of how scientists, spies, and politicians competed during World War II to develop the first atomic bomb.
Sheinkin highlights suspenseful espionage missions, secret labs, and tense global politics, all woven together in a way that reads as exciting as any thriller.
Tanya Lee Stone is an author who writes nonfiction for young readers with honesty and sensitivity. Her books explore true events and social issues that speak directly to teenagers, often covering stories about courage and change.
For readers who enjoyed Dashka Slater’s style of telling compelling, real-life narratives, Stone’s book Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles could be a great choice.
It details the experiences of the first African American paratroopers during World War II. She highlights their bravery, struggles, and fight against racial prejudice.
Stone’s book offers an insightful look into an overlooked chapter of history through clear storytelling and engaging detail.
If you enjoy Dashka Slater, you might also appreciate Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Bartoletti’s books often dive into real-life stories and history, highlighting lesser-known yet powerful narratives.
Her book The Boy Who Dared tells the true story of Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who resisted Hitler’s regime by secretly distributing anti-Nazi leaflets. Helmuth’s bravery and determination shine through, even as he faces enormous risks under a harsh dictatorship.
This story draws readers into a challenging historical moment, filled with meaningful acts of courage and deep personal questions.
Brendan Kiely is an American author who writes stories exploring complex social issues with honesty and sensitivity.
His novel All American Boys, co-written with Jason Reynolds, follows two high school students, Rashad and Quinn, whose lives intersect after Rashad becomes a victim of police brutality.
As the boys navigate school, friendship, family dynamics, and the reality of racial tension in their community, the novel reveals multiple perspectives on privilege and justice.
Fans of Dashka Slater’s The 57 Bus will appreciate how Kiely’s characters face difficult moral questions and personal challenges in an accessible and authentic storytelling style.
Readers who enjoy Dashka Slater’s thoughtful narratives might also appreciate Nic Stone. Stone’s book Dear Martin centers around Justyce McAllister, a high-achieving high school student caught between conflicting worlds.
After an unjust encounter with police, Justyce starts writing letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a way to process his experiences and explore questions about race, privilege, and identity.
Nic Stone tackles heavy themes with honesty, compassion, and sensitivity, drawing readers into Justyce’s struggle to make sense of a world filled with contradictions.
Angie Thomas is an author known for powerful storytelling that tackles important social issues through the eyes of relatable teen characters.
Her novel, The Hate U Give, follows Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old girl who moves between two very different worlds: her poor, predominantly Black neighborhood and her mostly white, upscale private school.
After Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend by a police officer, her life is thrown into turmoil. Starr’s journey explores themes of identity, racism, and activism.
For readers who appreciated Dashka Slater’s thoughtful exploration of complex issues in The 57 Bus, Angie Thomas offers another thought-provoking narrative about race, justice, and finding your voice in a complicated world.
Jewell Parker Rhodes is an author who tells powerful stories about race and identity. Her book Ghost Boys follows Jerome, a twelve-year-old boy who is shot by a police officer but continues to observe the world as a ghost.
Jerome connects with the ghost of Emmett Till, a boy from the past who faced similar tragedy, and together they explore how history repeats itself. Through Jerome’s eyes, readers see his family’s grief and the misunderstandings surrounding his death.
Readers who appreciate Dashka Slater’s stories about justice and empathy will find Jewell Parker Rhodes’ exploration of these themes equally meaningful and memorable.
Readers who enjoyed Dashka Slater’s thoughtful storytelling and emotional depth may also appreciate Ruta Sepetys, an author skilled at uncovering powerful stories from historical events.
Her novel Between Shades of Gray follows Lina, a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl, and her family as Soviet forces deport them to Siberia during World War II.
Through Lina’s eyes, we experience the resilience, courage, and quiet strength people discover even in the harshest circumstances. Sepetys creates characters who face impossible choices and survive unimaginable hardships, shedding light on a forgotten chapter in history.
If historical fiction that explores human experiences through sincere storytelling resonates with you, Sepetys delivers exactly that.
Books by Neal Shusterman often mix thought-provoking themes with gripping storytelling. If you enjoyed Dashka Slater’s The 57 Bus, you might appreciate Unwind by Neal Shusterman.
Set in a dystopian future after a second civil war over reproductive rights, Unwind follows teens Connor, Risa, and Lev. They’re trying to escape a frightening fate called unwinding, where their organs are harvested for transplantation.
The story explores tough ethical questions about life, choice, and society. Shusterman keeps readers engaged on every page, creating a narrative that’s exciting and resonates deeply.
If you enjoy Dashka Slater’s emotional and thought-provoking storytelling, you might appreciate the work of Phillip Hoose. In his nonfiction book Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, Hoose brings to life a lesser-known but powerful figure from the civil rights movement.
Claudette Colvin was a brave teenager who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus well before Rosa Parks famously did. Hoose captures Colvin’s experience vividly, mixing interviews, photos, and historical detail to illuminate her courage and the obstacles she faced.
It’s an insightful read that highlights hidden stories from history and shows how complex the road to justice can be.
Books by Candace Fleming share the narrative depth and strong storytelling found in Dashka Slater’s work. Her book The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia gives an intimate look at the lives of Russia’s last imperial family.
Fleming sets the historical events vividly against a backdrop of revolution, social unrest, and opulence, providing readers with a clear picture of the reasons behind the empire’s dramatic collapse.
Through letters, diaries, and captivating details, she reveals the humanity and tragedy behind historical figures, which makes their story engaging and unforgettable.
Deborah Heiligman writes thoughtful nonfiction books that bring historical figures and events vividly to life. Her book Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers follows the close relationship between artist Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo.
Heiligman uses their personal letters to paint an intimate portrait of their devotion to each other. She shows readers how Theo supported Vincent throughout his artistic struggles and personal setbacks.
If you enjoy Dashka Slater’s sensitive storytelling and real-life explorations, Deborah Heiligman’s books might resonate with you too.