If you enjoy reading books by Rebecca Stead then you might also like the following authors:
Kate DiCamillo writes heartfelt stories with characters who feel real and struggles that resonate.
One of her books, “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” follows a china rabbit who starts out selfish but learns about love and loss after being separated from his comfortable life. As he’s passed from person to person, his heart softens, and each encounter transforms him.
DiCamillo blends tenderness with adventure in a way that keeps you turning the pages.
Jennifer L. Holm writes heartfelt stories that capture the struggles and joys of growing up. One of her books, “Turtle in Paradise,” is set in the 1930s and follows a girl named Turtle who is sent to live with relatives in Key West.
Her life changes as she gets to know her lively cousins and their gang of friends. The kids come up with clever plans to make money, and Turtle stumbles upon a hidden treasure map that leads to an unexpected adventure.
Holm has a way of making you care about her characters, and the setting feels so alive that you can almost feel the heat of a Florida summer.
Katherine Applegate is an author known for creating heartfelt stories that connect with readers of all ages. One of her standout books is “The One and Only Ivan,” which tells the story of a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall enclosure.
Ivan spends his days watching television, painting, and reflecting on his life. The story unfolds through Ivan’s eyes as he forms a unique bond with a young elephant named Ruby and begins to question his surroundings.
It’s a tale that explores friendship and hope with simple yet beautiful storytelling.
Patricia Reilly Giff is a children’s author who writes stories filled with heartfelt moments and relatable characters. One of her books, “Pictures of Hollis Woods,” tells the story of a foster child named Hollis who has a knack for art and a longing for a family.
Hollis’s journey takes her through memories of her happiest placement and her current life with an eccentric retired art teacher. The story paints a vivid picture of a girl searching for belonging and piecing together what family truly means.
Readers will find themselves absorbed in Hollis’s perspective, rooting for her as she navigates her emotions and choices.
Ann M. Martin is best known for her work in children’s literature, particularly “The Baby-Sitters Club” series. These books follow a group of middle-school friends who run a babysitting business while navigating friendships, family challenges, and school life.
In “Kristy’s Great Idea,” Kristy forms the club as a way to organize babysitting jobs, bringing together girls with different personalities and backgrounds. The story captures their teamwork, struggles, and the ups and downs of young friendships.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with strong friendships, her books are worth exploring.
Wendy Mass writes stories filled with heart and relatable characters. One of her books, “Every Soul a Star,” follows three very different kids—Ally, Bree, and Jack—who meet at a campground during a total solar eclipse.
Each of them comes to the campsite for a different reason, but their lives intersect in unexpected ways. Ally loves astronomy and dreams of discovering a comet, Bree is more concerned with popularity, and Jack struggles with self-confidence.
Their perspectives shift as they navigate friendships, personal growth, and the awe of standing under the rare spectacle of the eclipse. It’s the kind of story that feels real and stays with you.
Natalie Lloyd writes stories filled with charm and warmth, often with a touch of magic. Her book, “A Snicker of Magic,” takes place in a quirky town called Midnight Gulch, where magic used to exist. The story follows Felicity Pickle, a girl who sees words everywhere she goes.
She learns about her town’s mysterious past and tries to bring the magic back. The book is full of heartfelt moments and colorful characters. Fans of Rebecca Stead might enjoy the mix of real-life struggles and a hint of the extraordinary.
Claire Legrand writes stories that blend heartfelt emotion with a touch of the extraordinary. Her book “Some Kind of Happiness” is about a girl named Finley Hart, who spends the summer at her grandparents’ home, grappling with anxiety and family secrets.
Finley escapes into her notebook, where she writes about a magical forest that mirrors her own struggles. As she uncovers hidden truths about her family, the line between reality and her fantasy world begins to blur.
If you enjoy stories that explore real emotions within mysterious settings, you might enjoy this one.
Lisa Graff crafts heartfelt stories with unforgettable characters. One of her books, “Absolutely Almost,” follows Albie, a boy who struggles with school and often feels overlooked. His journey highlights the power of kindness and finding your own strengths.
Readers watch as Albie bonds with his quirky babysitter and learns that being “okay” is more than enough. Fans of Rebecca Stead might enjoy the way Graff explores real emotions through ordinary, yet meaningful, moments.
Gail Carson Levine is an author who has a knack for taking familiar stories and giving them a unique twist. Her book “Ella Enchanted” is a fun retelling of the Cinderella story but with a clever spin.
Ella is cursed at birth to always obey commands, which puts her in some difficult and dangerous situations. Despite this, she’s smart and determined, and she tries to outwit the curse while navigating life, friendship, and love.
The story has humor, adventure, and a heroine you can really root for.
Jerry Spinelli is an author known for writing stories that focus on young characters navigating unique challenges. One of his well-loved books, “Stargirl,” follows a girl named Stargirl Caraway, whose bold individuality shakes up a small high school.
Stargirl plays the ukulele, carries a pet rat, and performs random acts of kindness, but her free spirit stirs mixed reactions from her classmates. The story looks at how conformity can affect relationships and identity.
Spinelli’s characters feel real, with emotions that readers can connect with.
Jacqueline Woodson is an author known for her heartfelt and thoughtful storytelling. One of her standout books is “Brown Girl Dreaming.”
It’s a memoir written in verse, where Woodson reflects on her childhood growing up in both South Carolina and New York during the 1960s and 1970s. She shares her experiences of family, identity, and finding her love for writing.
Through her words, you get a sense of the challenges and joys she faced as she navigated her world. The way she captures the innocence and curiosity of childhood feels honest and vivid, leaving readers with moments that linger long after they’ve finished the book.
Linda Sue Park is a writer who crafts stories that feel heartfelt and real. Her book, “A Single Shard,” takes readers to Korea in the 12th century. It follows Tree-ear, an orphan who dreams of becoming a potter.
He works for a master potter and faces challenges that test his determination. The story gives a vivid sense of the time and place, with a focus on hope and perseverance. Fans of Rebecca Stead might enjoy how Park creates characters with depth and strong personal growth.
Lynne Rae Perkins is a storyteller who captures the wonder and small moments of growing up. Her book, “Criss Cross,” follows a group of teenagers during a summer filled with changes, questions, and quiet discoveries.
The story moves between their lives as they navigate friendships, family, and the search for meaning in ordinary days. One memorable thread shows a girl, Debbie, imagining her life with more excitement while wondering if anything will ever happen to her.
It’s a book that lingers on those little things that shape who we are.
Sharon Creech writes heartfelt stories that often explore family and self-discovery. One of her standout books, “Walk Two Moons,” follows a girl named Salamanca on a road trip with her grandparents as she retraces the path her mother took before she disappeared.
Along the way, she shares another story about her friend Phoebe, who discovers unsettling changes in her own family. The book weaves these stories together with moments that surprise and stay with you. Creech has a knack for creating characters who feel real and deeply human.