Rebecca Stead writes middle grade books that are full of heart and mystery. She writes about kids in a way that feels real, and her stories often explore themes of friendship and growing up.
If you enjoy books with a similar feel, here are some authors you might want to check out.
Kate DiCamillo is an author whose thoughtful, imaginative stories resonate with readers who appreciate Rebecca Stead’s style. Her novel “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” follows the adventures of a china rabbit named Edward.
Edward is proud, vain, and cared for deeply by a young girl named Abilene. But after falling overboard on an ocean voyage, Edward becomes separated from those who love him. He embarks on an extraordinary journey across different places and people.
Each new encounter changes him, slowly teaching Edward how to love and feel loss, joy, and compassion. DiCamillo writes with sensitivity and warmth; she creates memorable characters who remain with you long after finishing the story.
Jennifer L. Holm is an author readers often turn to if they enjoy Rebecca Stead’s memorable and thoughtful stories. Holm writes novels that feel authentic and capture the everyday warmth and humor of childhood in vivid detail.
A great example is her book “Penny from Heaven,” which tells the story of Penny, an 11-year-old girl growing up in the 1950s. Penny navigates her Italian-American family’s quirks, secrets, and traditions, uncovering family mysteries along the way.
Holm captures both the lighthearted adventures and genuine emotions of a meaningful childhood summer. Penny’s story offers insight into family bonds and the curious charm of discovering who you are and where you come from.
Books by Katherine Applegate often blend gentle storytelling with thoughtful themes, similar to what readers appreciate in Rebecca Stead’s novels.
In “The One and Only Ivan,” Applegate tells the heartwarming story of Ivan, a gorilla who spends his days behind the glass walls of a mall enclosure.
Ivan reflects on his life in simple but touching detail, forming friendships with Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. When Ruby, a young elephant, arrives, Ivan decides he must help her find a life better than his own.
Told from Ivan’s unique perspective, the story highlights friendship, empathy, and the power of hope. This book will resonate with readers who enjoy Rebecca Stead’s thoughtful, character-centered tales.
If you enjoy Rebecca Stead’s thoughtful and relatable stories, Patricia Reilly Giff offers another great choice. Her novel “Pictures of Hollis Woods” follows a young girl named Hollis, who moves through several foster homes.
Hollis finds comfort and meaning through her drawings and paintings, each one carefully capturing moments and memories. As she searches for belonging, Hollis looks back on her time with the Regan family, a past that shapes who she is and whom she hopes to become.
Patricia Reilly Giff crafts stories full of warmth, emotion, and characters who feel truly real.
Readers who enjoy Rebecca Stead’s thoughtful and relatable storytelling might appreciate Ann M. Martin’s honest portrayal of friendship and growing up. In her novel “Rain Reign,” Martin introduces Rose Howard, a girl fascinated by homonyms, rules, and prime numbers.
Rose struggles at school and at home. Her dog Rain is the loyal companion who makes life easier to navigate. When a storm splits them apart, Rose must use her talent for details and structure to bring Rain back to her.
The story gently explores family, courage, and the challenges of finding your way around unexpected setbacks.
Wendy Mass is an author who writes thoughtful stories that blend intriguing characters with real-life experiences and a touch of mystery. If you liked Rebecca Stead’s “When You Reach Me,” try reading “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life.”
In this book, Jeremy receives a mysterious locked box from his late father, labeled to hold the meaning of life. The problem is that the keys to open it are missing. Jeremy and his best friend Lizzy go on a quest to track them down.
Their adventure is full of unexpected discoveries about friendship, family, and what really matters in life. Wendy Mass balances humor, emotion, and suspense in a story that’s both entertaining and meaningful.
Books by Natalie Lloyd often combine heartfelt storytelling with touches of magic and mystery. Her novel “A Snicker of Magic” follows young Felicity Pickle, a girl who sees words floating everywhere around her.
Felicity moves to Midnight Gulch, a quirky town that once overflowed with magic. She hopes to finally find a place she can call home. As Felicity uncovers the town’s hidden story, she discovers a past filled with secrets, ice cream, and family magic.
Lloyd’s style is warm, imaginative, and emotionally honest, qualities readers of Rebecca Stead’s stories will appreciate.
If you enjoy Rebecca Stead’s genuine stories and relatable characters, Claire Legrand might be a great discovery for you. Her novel “Some Kind of Happiness” follows eleven-year-old Finley Hart, a girl struggling with anxiety and family secrets.
Finley escapes into her notebook, creating Everwood, a magical forest kingdom that reflects her own hidden fears and hopes.
But when Finley spends the summer at her grandparents’ house, reality and fantasy begin to overlap as she discovers secrets in the woods behind their home—and mysteries within her own family.
Through Finley’s eyes, Legrand blends emotional honesty, gentle suspense, and thoughtful storytelling.
Lisa Graff writes thoughtful and imaginative stories for middle-grade readers, full of warmth, humor, and insight about growing up. Her writing often captures the emotions and struggles of young characters who feel authentic enough to remind readers of Rebecca Stead’s books.
In “A Tangle of Knots,” Graff tells the story of Cady, an orphan girl gifted at baking perfect cakes suited to each person’s personality. Her life intersects with a curious cast of characters who all have their special talents.
As their paths come together, a larger mystery unfolds about identity, family, and destiny, pulling readers into a heartfelt, magical adventure.
If you enjoy Rebecca Stead’s blend of thoughtful storytelling and likable, courageous characters, consider exploring Gail Carson Levine’s books.
Levine creates enchanting worlds filled with charm, wit, and relatable heroines who find themselves in situations they never anticipated. In “Ella Enchanted,” Ella struggles against a fairy’s curse that forces her into complete obedience.
Her journey as she navigates friendship, humor, and a touch of romance makes this an entertaining, heartfelt read.
Fans of stories with quietly strong characters, meaningful challenges, and a dash of magic may find Gail Carson Levine shares Rebecca Stead’s appealing storytelling style.
Jerry Spinelli is an author whose stories often explore themes of friendship, individuality, and the challenges of adolescence with warmth and humor.
His book “Stargirl” tells the story of Leo Borlock, a high school student intrigued by Stargirl Caraway, the eccentric new girl who shakes things up in his small Arizona town.
Stargirl’s unique personality and refusal to conform spark fascination as well as ridicule from her peers. Through Leo’s eyes, the story explores friendship, first love, acceptance, and the difficulty of staying true to oneself.
Fans of Rebecca Stead’s thoughtful and warm storytelling might find Spinelli’s genuine characters and relatable journeys equally engaging.
Jacqueline Woodson writes heartfelt, insightful books that explore the challenges and joys of childhood friendship, family life, and personal identity, themes readers of Rebecca Stead will appreciate.
One of her notable novels is “Harbor Me,” a powerful story about six students with different backgrounds who meet each week in a room without adults. There, they share their struggles, hopes, and fears.
As their friendship grows, readers experience the trust and compassion that hold the group together. For those who enjoy stories by Rebecca Stead, Jacqueline Woodson’s “Harbor Me” offers a sensitive and memorable look at the power in understanding one another.
Linda Sue Park is an author whose stories often blend heartfelt narratives with thoughtful reflection, appealing strongly to fans of Rebecca Stead. Her novel “A Long Walk to Water” follows two vivid stories from different timelines in Sudan.
The book tells the story of Salva, a boy separated from his family during civil unrest, who endures harsh experiences to survive. Alongside, readers meet Nya, a girl whose daily life revolves around the challenging task of fetching water from a distant pond.
Their struggles and perseverance weave together in surprising and inspiring ways, highlighting the strength and resilience of children in difficult circumstances.
Books by Lynne Rae Perkins often have the warmth and thoughtfulness that readers of Rebecca Stead enjoy. In “Criss Cross,” Perkins shares an intertwined story about a group of friends in a small town who navigate the gentle changes of adolescence.
Through humor, friendship, and everyday adventures, the characters explore those quiet moments when life shifts in unexpected ways. The narrative blends realistic scenes with moments of insight, capturing how ordinary experiences can quietly become meaningful.
Readers who appreciate authentic, subtle storytelling might find Lynne Rae Perkins a refreshing discovery.
Readers who enjoy Rebecca Stead’s warm and thoughtful storytelling may also appreciate author Sharon Creech. Creech writes stories that explore family life, friendship, and self-discovery, often through the eyes of young characters.
Her book “Walk Two Moons” follows Salamanca Tree Hiddle (also known as Sal) on a cross-country journey with her grandparents.
As they travel, Sal shares the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother mysteriously vanished one day, leaving Phoebe confused and determined to find answers.
All the while, Sal quietly wrestles with her own loss and comes to understand her family and herself in ways she’d never expected. Creech’s writing is heartfelt, layered, and resonant, filled with relatable characters that linger in readers’ imaginations.