If you enjoy reading books by Thanhha Lai then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Thanhha Lai’s heartfelt stories about family, resilience, and culture, you’ll appreciate Linda Sue Park’s books too. Park uses clear, vivid language and relatable characters to bring readers into powerful stories.
A great example is “A Long Walk to Water,” based on true events from Sudan. It follows the journey of Salva, a boy separated from his family because of war, who faces great hardships looking for safety and hope.
At the same time, we meet Nya, a Sudanese girl whose daily walk for water shapes her whole routine and future. The lives of these two characters brilliantly connect, showing how courage and determination can bridge vastly different experiences.
Readers who enjoy Thanhha Lai’s accurate yet poetic explorations of childhood and belonging will appreciate Jacqueline Woodson. Woodson’s writing gracefully tackles themes of family, identity, and race. Her award-winning novel “Brown Girl Dreaming” is a powerful memoir in verse.
It traces Woodson’s childhood in the 1960s and 1970s, split between the North and the South, exploring the pressures of growing up African American during the Civil Rights Movement.
Through vivid memories and honest reflections, the author captures the complexities of navigating two worlds, searching for her voice and discovering her identity as a storyteller.
Katherine Applegate writes heartfelt stories about resilience, belonging, and growing up, themes readers of Thanhha Lai often enjoy. In her novel “The One and Only Ivan,” Applegate introduces Ivan, a gentle gorilla living in a glass enclosure at a shopping mall.
Ivan spends his days watching humans pass by, drawing pictures and forming friendships with other animals nearby. When a young elephant named Ruby arrives, Ivan is inspired to seek a better life for both of them.
Applegate captures Ivan’s point of view with warmth and humor, gently guiding readers through questions of kindness, freedom, and home. It’s a quiet yet powerful story about friendship and courage.
Aisha Saeed is an author whose stories explore strong themes of culture, family, and identity, similar in spirit to Thanhha Lai’s works.
Her novel “Amal Unbound” follows Amal, a young girl in rural Pakistan who dreams of becoming a teacher but ends up forced into indentured servitude by a powerful local landlord. Despite difficult circumstances, Amal remains determined and resilient.
Saeed beautifully portrays everyday life in Pakistan while tackling issues of injustice and the strength of education. Readers who enjoy moving stories filled with vibrant characters and powerful life lessons will find this book very rewarding.
Marie Myung-Ok Lee is an author known for thoughtful and emotionally rich stories that explore family life and immigrant experiences. Her novel “Finding My Voice” follows Ellen Sung, a Korean-American teenager who feels caught between two worlds.
Ellen navigates life in a mostly white Minnesota town, dealing with everyday teenage pressures and the added challenge of cultural identity.
Through Ellen’s relationships, friendships, and struggles at school, the book provides a candid yet empathetic portrait of the immigrant experience, something readers of Thanhha Lai’s work will deeply appreciate.
Books by Aida Salazar often resonate with readers who appreciate Thanhha Lai’s heartfelt storytelling. Salazar shares moving stories that blend poetry with realism and explore themes of family, identity, and culture.
In her book, “The Moon Within,” Salazar introduces Celi Rivera, a young girl facing changes in her body and emotions. Celi navigates the cultural traditions of her family and her own desire for independence.
Throughout the story, the moon serves as a guiding symbol for growth, reminding readers about the connections between self-acceptance, heritage, and the rhythms of nature.
Readers who appreciate Thanhha Lai’s heartfelt stories about courage and family bonds may find a great connection with Pam Muñoz Ryan’s books. Ryan is a versatile author who often explores themes of resilience, identity, and culture through relatable young protagonists.
In her book “Esperanza Rising,” Ryan introduces readers to Esperanza, a young girl who must leave her privileged life in Mexico behind to start anew in California during the Great Depression.
The story follows Esperanza as she adjusts to hard labor and poverty and learns powerful lessons about hope, family, and inner strength. Ryan creates vivid characters and authentic settings that draw readers intimately into Esperanza’s experience.
Readers who enjoy Thanhha Lai may also appreciate the warm, insightful stories of Andrew Clements. Clements is known for his realistic, thoughtful portrayals of school life and friendships.
In his book “Frindle,” he introduces readers to Nick Allen, a clever and creative fifth grader who challenges his strict language arts teacher by inventing a new word for “pen.”
Before long the whole school is caught up in Nick’s quirky game, but things quickly spiral beyond his control. Clements cleverly explores how language grows and shifts through the decisions—and humor—of one determined kid.
Books by Thanhha Lai often explore refugee experiences and cultural identity. In “Inside Out and Back Again,” Lai tells the story of Hà, a young girl who escapes wartime Vietnam with her family and resettles in Alabama.
Told through short and powerful free verse poems, the book captures Hà’s struggles to adapt to a new language, food, school, and the challenge of fitting into an unfamiliar world.
Readers who appreciate Lai’s honest and heartwarming portrayal of immigrant life might also enjoy authors Linda Sue Park, Pam Muñoz Ryan, or Jacqueline Woodson, who similarly bring history and personal identity to life through memorable characters.
Books by Erin Entrada Kelly often explore heartfelt stories about family, identity, and belonging. Her novel “Hello, Universe” follows four middle-school kids whose lives unexpectedly intersect after a surprising event.
Each character has their own struggles: Virgil battles shyness and family pressures, Valencia is deaf and determinedly independent, Kaori believes she possesses psychic powers, and then there’s Chet—a bully who adds tension to the story.
This warm-hearted novel tackles universal themes about friendship, courage, and finding your voice. Readers who connected with Thanhha Lai’s thoughtful portrayal of childhood experiences may find Erin Entrada Kelly equally engaging.
Books by Grace Lin often explore family bonds, immigration, and cultural heritage, themes that readers of Thanhha Lai can appreciate deeply.
In “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” Lin introduces us to Minli, a determined young girl who sets out on a quest inspired by her father’s magical stories.
Minli hopes to change her family’s fortune, and along her journey, she encounters remarkable creatures, wise friends, and rich insights into happiness and gratitude.
Lin blends Chinese folklore with touching family scenes, creating a warm fantasy world readers won’t easily forget.
Rukhsana Khan is a gifted storyteller who explores cultural identity, family ties, and belonging through the eyes of young protagonists.
Readers who appreciate Thanhha Lai’s approach to tackling complex themes from a child’s perspective may find a similar connection in Khan’s work. Her book “Wanting Mor” tells the story of Jameela, a young Afghan girl who faces unexpected struggles after losing her mother.
Jameela is left alone after her father abandons her in a Kabul marketplace, and she must find the courage and resilience to build a new life.
The narrative sheds light on traditional Afghan culture, family dynamics, and the hopeful strength that can emerge from loss and adversity. Khan’s warm and sensitive voice brings to life an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and homecoming.
If you enjoy Thanhha Lai’s heartfelt stories about young people finding their place between different cultures, Matt de la Peña might appeal to you too.
His novel “Mexican WhiteBoy” tells the story of Danny, a teen with a Mexican father and white mother who struggles to figure out where he belongs.
Danny visits his dad’s relatives during a summer in San Diego, but he feels uncertain about himself and divided between his two identities. Sports fans might especially enjoy the vivid scenes describing Danny’s growing love for baseball.
The story deals with friendship, family secrets, and personal discovery—themes that resonate with fans of Thanhha Lai’s novels.
Kelly Yang is an author who writes heartfelt novels drawn from her own experiences as an immigrant child. Her book “Front Desk” follows Mia Tang, a resourceful ten-year-old who manages the front desk at a motel where her immigrant parents work.
Mia finds herself faced with challenges at school, trouble at the motel, and has to confront prejudice, all while secretly helping immigrants in need.
Readers who appreciate Thanhha Lai’s touching narratives about cultural identity and youthful courage in books like “Inside Out & Back Again” will find Kelly Yang’s stories emotionally resonant and memorable.
Rita Williams-Garcia is an author whose stories resonate with readers who appreciate Thanhha Lai’s heartfelt narratives about family and identity.
Her novel, “One Crazy Summer,” takes place in the summer of 1968 and follows three sisters as they travel from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to reconnect with their mother.
Set against a backdrop of the Black Panther movement, the story captures their journey navigating personal relationships, racial tensions, and unexpected discoveries about family and self.
With humor and warmth, Williams-Garcia presents a realistic portrait of sisterhood and growing up during an important moment in history.