Gary D. Schmidt writes books that stay with you long after you finish them. Think about *The Wednesday Wars* with its funny moments and heart-wrenching scenes, or *Okay for Now*, a story about a boy finding his way.
He tells stories about young people dealing with tough stuff but always with hope and humor. If you love his books and want to discover authors with a similar touch, there are other authors you should check out.
Kate DiCamillo creates thoughtful, heartfelt novels that explore life’s ups and downs through genuine characters you’ll grow fond of. Her storytelling feels gentle but honest, similar to Gary D. Schmidt’s heartwarming narratives.
In “Because of Winn-Dixie,” a young girl named Opal finds a stray dog at the local supermarket. Their friendship sets in motion new connections with people in her community.
As Opal learns about the people around her, she also starts to understand her own family’s struggles better. DiCamillo’s characters are easy to connect with, and their stories quietly stay with you.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt’s thoughtful stories might appreciate Sharon Creech, an author who captures the humor and heartache of growing up. Her book “Walk Two Moons” follows thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle on a road trip with her grandparents.
As they travel, Sal shares the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother suddenly left home, while Sal herself struggles with her own mother’s absence. The journey blends humor, surprises, and tender moments that beautifully explore family and identity.
Creech’s writing will speak clearly to readers who value authentic characters and emotional depth.
Linda Sue Park writes stories that vividly show the hopes and struggles of young characters facing life’s toughest challenges. Her novel, “A Long Walk to Water,” tells two stories set decades apart in Sudan.
One storyline follows Salva, a boy separated from his family during a brutal civil war, who walks hundreds of miles to reach safety. The other centers on Nya, whose life revolves around a daily hours-long walk just to get water for her family.
Their two paths seem separate, but slowly, the connections emerge and reveal something remarkable. Fans of Gary D. Schmidt who like the emotional honesty and the strong characters overcoming hardships will find a lot to appreciate in Park’s writing.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt’s style may find a similar connection with Andrew Clements. Clements has a talent for capturing authentic moments in school life with warmth and humor.
One of his most beloved books is “Frindle,” which tells the story of inventive fifth-grader Nick Allen. Nick stirs excitement in his small-town school when he creates a new word for an everyday object—a pen becomes a “frindle.”
At first it’s just a prank, but soon his clever idea sparks unexpected events at school and throughout his community. The playful yet thoughtful story shows how small ideas can lead to big changes, a theme common in Schmidt’s stories too.
Rebecca Stead writes thoughtful stories about friendship, family, and the challenges of growing up. Her book “When You Reach Me” blends realistic life in 1970s New York with subtle elements of mystery and time travel.
The story follows a sixth-grader named Miranda who receives strange notes predicting future events, messages that slowly lead her to see her world from a new perspective.
Readers who appreciate Gary D. Schmidt’s honest characters and emotional depth will find Stead offers a similar sincerity and warmth in portraying young people’s experiences.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt might also appreciate Lois Lowry, a talented author known for memorable young adult fiction. Lowry has a gift for creating authentic characters and deep emotional stories that resonate beyond the page.
Her novel “The Giver” tells the story of Jonas, a boy in a carefully controlled, seemingly perfect society. When Jonas is assigned the role of Receiver of Memory at age twelve, he uncovers troubling truths hidden beneath the tranquil surface of his community.
Through vivid scenes and thought-provoking questions, Lowry explores themes of freedom, memory, and the cost of conformity, presenting an unforgettable journey that stays with readers long after turning the final page.
Richard Peck writes stories full of warmth, humor, and memorable characters who face life’s big questions. Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt will find plenty to love in Peck’s novel “A Long Way from Chicago.” It’s a heartfelt story about Joey and his sister Mary Alice.
Every summer, they’re sent to spend time with their tough and eccentric Grandma Dowdel in a small Illinois town. Set during the Great Depression, each summer is packed with unexpected adventures, from outrageous pranks to surprising acts of kindness.
Peck captures the excitement, humor, and wonder of childhood summers, while showing how spending time with Grandma shapes Joey and Mary Alice in ways they never imagined.
If you enjoy Gary D. Schmidt’s honest storytelling and authentic, memorable characters, Gordon Korman may be a great author for you. Korman writes engaging, heartfelt stories that balance humor and depth.
In his novel “Restart,” Chase Ambrose gets the chance to reinvent himself after losing his memory from a nasty fall. Before his accident, he was known as the school’s toughest bully. But now Chase sees his life—and himself—in new ways.
Through genuine humor and thoughtful reflection, Korman shows how complicated friendship and forgiveness can be. Readers familiar with Schmidt’s style might appreciate Korman’s relatable characters, warm humor, and stories about second chances.
Readers who appreciate Gary D. Schmidt’s thoughtful storytelling and authentic characters may also enjoy E. L. Konigsburg, an author known for insightful, imaginative novels that explore the minds of young people.
Her book “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” follows Claudia and her little brother Jamie as they secretly run away and hide inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
They live among priceless artwork, bathing in fountains and carefully avoiding museum security. Soon the siblings become fascinated by the mystery behind a beautiful angel statue; Claudia is determined to investigate its origins.
Their quest leads them toward Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler herself, an eccentric collector holding the secret they’re looking for. E. L. Konigsburg creates a memorable, lively story full of discovery and wonder.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt should take a look at Jacqueline Woodson, an author acclaimed for her honest and thoughtful storytelling. Woodson often explores family ties, friendship, and growing up, seen vividly in her book “Brown Girl Dreaming.”
This memoir-in-verse captures her childhood spent between South Carolina and New York during the civil rights era.
Through clear, heartfelt poems, Woodson paints memorable images of family Sunday dinners, neighborhood friendships, and finding her voice as a writer despite challenges.
The story connects readers closely to Woodson’s world as she searches for identity and belonging during a turbulent time.
Jerry Spinelli is a writer known for heartfelt stories about kids who feel a little different in a challenging world. His novel “Maniac Magee” centers on Jeffrey Lionel Magee, a homeless boy whose remarkable athletic skills and fearless personality turn him into a local legend.
Jeffrey arrives in a town divided by prejudice, but his carefree attitude and open heart begin to break down barriers around him.
Spinelli captures the humor, sadness, and hope of childhood and presents a memorable, moving story of a kid searching for acceptance and a place to call home.
Fans of Gary D Schmidt’s thoughtful, realistic stories about young lives will find Spinelli’s characters equally memorable and relatable.
Patricia Reilly Giff writes heartfelt stories about friendship, family, and growing up, often with relatable young characters that readers can connect to. If you’ve enjoyed Gary D Schmidt’s novels, you might appreciate Giff’s “Pictures of Hollis Woods”.
The book introduces Hollis, a twelve-year-old girl who has been moved from one foster home to another. She finally finds warmth in a new family, the Regans; however, trouble leads her to run again.
Giff weaves Hollis’s memories and her present-day struggles into a sensitive and meaningful novel about trust, belonging, and the search for home.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt might also appreciate Sara Zarr. She writes thoughtful and realistic young adult fiction with characters that feel authentic and relatable.
Her novel “Story of a Girl” follows Deanna Lambert, a teenager struggling to overcome a reputation she gained after a mistake she made at thirteen. Deanna deals with family tensions, friendships that are tested, and the constant pressure of being judged in a small town.
Zarr writes with honesty and compassion that brings the complexities of adolescence vividly to life.
Blue Balliett is an American author known for clever mystery novels involving smart, curious kids who solve puzzles and uncover secrets. If you enjoy Gary D Schmidt’s characters, who often face complex situations with courage and intelligence, Balliett could be a great match.
Her book “Chasing Vermeer” follows Petra and Calder, two bright sixth graders who unexpectedly find themselves caught in an international art scandal.
When a priceless Vermeer painting disappears, these clever kids sift through strange clues hidden in art, letters, and even odd coincidences in their everyday lives. The story is full of puzzles, secret codes, intriguing clues, and twists leading to the captivating ending.
Balliett’s storytelling connects art, math, and mystery into a tale that keeps readers guessing at every turn.
Readers who enjoy Gary D. Schmidt might appreciate Liz Kessler’s heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters.
Her novel “The Tail of Emily Windsnap” introduces readers to Emily, a twelve-year-old girl who discovers, after her first swimming lesson, that she transforms into a mermaid upon touching water.
As Emily uncovers hidden secrets about her family and herself, she embarks on adventures beneath the waves, confronts mysterious creatures, and learns important truths about friendship and identity.
The story combines real-life emotions and magical elements, themes readers of Schmidt’s works often enjoy.