If you enjoy reading books by Varian Johnson then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Varian Johnson's authentic storytelling about young people's lives, Jason Reynolds might be a great fit. He writes stories that speak directly to young readers, highlighting friendship, identity, and community with honesty and sensitivity.
His book Ghost explores themes of overcoming personal challenges and finding your strength, following a boy who joins a track team and discovers a new way to channel his feelings.
Nic Stone is known for engaging, accessible stories that confront real-world issues faced by young people today, much like Varian Johnson. She honestly examines identity, race, and friendship through relatable characters you grow to care about.
Her notable novel, Dear Martin, tells the powerful story of a high school student grappling with racial profiling and injustice, making readers reflect deeply on social issues in contemporary America.
Kwame Alexander crafts narratives in vivid verse, bringing poetry to life in ways that grab your heart and imagination. Like Varian Johnson, he addresses family dynamics, adolescent struggles, and self-discovery in emotionally resonant stories readers won't easily forget.
Try his novel The Crossover, which captures basketball, brotherhood, and the ups and downs of growing up, all told through fast-paced, rhythmic poetry.
Readers drawn to Varian Johnson's realistic portrayal of young lives might appreciate Angie Thomas. She writes honestly about difficult social issues and how they impact teens, inviting readers into conversations of race, social justice, and finding your voice.
Her book The Hate U Give powerfully narrates the experience of Starr Carter, a teen navigating two vastly different worlds and speaking up amid tragedy and racial injustice.
If you enjoy Varian Johnson's insightful look into young people's friendships, challenges, and self-discovery, you'll likely connect with Jerry Craft's storytelling style.
He captures the humor, awkwardness, and struggles of growing up through warm-hearted graphic novels that are easy to relate to.
His acclaimed book New Kid follows Jordan Banks, a boy adjusting to a new school environment, highlighting themes of self-identity, belonging, and friendship in an engaging comic format.
Lamar Giles creates exciting mysteries that speak authentically about the experiences of young people. His stories often tackle real-life issues teens face, from identity to friendship to social justice, all wrapped in tightly plotted narratives.
Readers who liked Varian Johnson's thoughtful mysteries will appreciate Giles's style, especially in Fake ID, where a teen in witness protection must solve a murder to survive.
Kekla Magoon writes thoughtful, realistic fiction that explores deep social themes like activism, race, and community. Like Varian Johnson, Magoon presents complex issues through engaging narratives and compelling young characters.
Her novel The Season of Styx Malone blends humor and heart as two brothers find adventures and life lessons in unexpected friendships.
Renée Watson crafts realistic fiction that sensitively explores themes of family, friendship, identity, and belonging. Her relatable characters often grapple with real-life struggles, much like the characters Varian Johnson brings to life.
Her book Piecing Me Together portrays the powerful story of a teen girl striving to find her voice, identity, and self-worth amid life's challenges.
Christopher Paul Curtis weaves humor and history into his stories, creating warm and memorable characters. Readers who enjoy Varian Johnson's approach of examining deeper themes through relatable characters will find Curtis's style appealing.
His celebrated novel Bud, Not Buddy tells the humorous yet touching journey of a young boy searching for family during the Great Depression.
Rita Williams-Garcia captures authentic, lively voices in stories about family, identity, and African American history. Her writing resonates with readers who appreciate the thoughtful way Varian Johnson handles serious topics and relatable characters.
Her novel One Crazy Summer follows three sisters on a summer visit to their estranged mother, humorously and poignantly exploring practice, sisterhood, resilience, and social activism.
Sharon M. Draper is known for her heartfelt stories that explore family life, friendships, and difficult issues with honesty and sensitivity. Her characters are young people facing challenges like disability, loss, or questions of identity.
If you enjoyed Varian Johnson's thoughtful storytelling, you'll probably appreciate Draper's Out of My Mind. This book shares the perspective of Melody, a bright girl with cerebral palsy whose story is both eye-opening and inspiring.
Jacqueline Woodson writes lyrical and thoughtful novels about young people navigating family, friendships, race, and growing up. She captures voices and experiences with emotional depth, often set against vivid and memorable backdrops.
If Varian Johnson's authentic characters speak to you, try Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming. This beautiful verse memoir narrates her childhood in the 1960s and 70s, reflecting on questions of identity, race, and belonging.
Jewell Parker Rhodes creates stories about young protagonists dealing with meaningful and timely issues, especially topics related to race, history, and social justice.
Like Varian Johnson, she approaches difficult topics with respect and hopefulness, crafting narratives that inspire empathy.
In Rhodes's Ghost Boys, the reader meets Jerome, a young boy whose story powerfully engages with themes of racism, police violence, and meaningful connections across history.
Brandy Colbert writes engaging, highly relatable stories focused on identity, relationships, and issues teenagers face daily, including confronting prejudice and exploring family history. Fans of Varian Johnson's realistic, thoughtful fiction may enjoy Colbert's Little & Lion.
This novel explores complicated family dynamics, mental health, identity, and the loyalties that test young people as they grow up.
Ibi Zoboi's fiction thoughtfully weaves together themes of identity, immigration, racism, and belonging with vibrant storytelling and authentic dialogue. Like Johnson, Zoboi excels at creating believable and relatable young voices that speak truthfully of their experiences.
Her powerful novel, American Street, follows young Haitian immigrant Fabiola as she navigates family, culture, and new friendships while adjusting to life in Detroit.