38 Books like Blended

The Skin I'm In

by Sharon G. Flake • 2000

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

4.16

17k+

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

The Skin I'm In 93%

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

by Sharon G. Flake 2000

4.16

17k+ ratings

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

Black Brother, Black Brother

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2020

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

4.17

8k+

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Black Brother, Black Brother 92%

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2020

4.17

8k+ ratings

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Ghost Boys

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2018

A Black boy killed by police lingers as a ghost, seen only by the officer's daughter.

4.33

34k+

🚨 Police Violence 👻 Ghost Narrator ⚖️ Racial Reckoning 💔 Childhood Grief 🕰️ Historical Echoes

Ghost Boys 92%

A Black boy killed by police lingers as a ghost, seen only by the officer's daughter.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2018

4.33

34k+ ratings

🚨 Police Violence 👻 Ghost Narrator ⚖️ Racial Reckoning 💔 Childhood Grief 🕰️ Historical Echoes

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After 92%

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas • 2017

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

4.45

1.0M+

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

The Hate U Give 91%

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

by Angie Thomas 2017

4.45

1.0M+ ratings

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You 91%

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

We Are All Made of Molecules

by Susin Nielsen • 2015

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

3.82

17k+

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

We Are All Made of Molecules 91%

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

by Susin Nielsen 2015

3.82

17k+ ratings

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

Sweet Sixteen

by Annelise Heurtier • 2013

A Black teen integrates an Arkansas high school; a white classmate learns silence has a price.

3.92

1k+

🏫 School Desegregation ✊🏾 Civil Rights Era 🏚️ Jim Crow South 👥 Dual Narratives 👁️ Racial Awakening

Sweet Sixteen 91%

A Black teen integrates an Arkansas high school; a white classmate learns silence has a price.

by Annelise Heurtier 2013

3.92

1k+ ratings

🏫 School Desegregation ✊🏾 Civil Rights Era 🏚️ Jim Crow South 👥 Dual Narratives 👁️ Racial Awakening

Punching the Air

by Ibi Zoboi • 2020

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

4.39

24k+

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

Punching the Air 91%

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

by Ibi Zoboi 2020

4.39

24k+ ratings

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

4.46

4k+

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman 91%

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

by Gennifer Choldenko 2024

4.46

4k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound 91%

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

by Catherine Bruton • 2019

A Syrian refugee discovers a ballet class in Manchester and dares to dance again.

4.40

2k+

🩰 Ballet Dreams 🧳 Child Refugee Story 💔 War Trauma Healing 🫂 Found Family 🏚️ Syrian Civil War

No Ballet Shoes in Syria 90%

A Syrian refugee discovers a ballet class in Manchester and dares to dance again.

by Catherine Bruton 2019

4.40

2k+ ratings

🩰 Ballet Dreams 🧳 Child Refugee Story 💔 War Trauma Healing 🫂 Found Family 🏚️ Syrian Civil War

Money Hungry

by Sharon G. Flake • 2001

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

4.10

4k+

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

Money Hungry 90%

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

by Sharon G. Flake 2001

4.10

4k+ ratings

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

Other Words for Home

by Jasmine Warga • 2019

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

4.40

35k+

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Other Words for Home 90%

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

by Jasmine Warga 2019

4.40

35k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Kiki and Jacques

by Susan Ross • 2015

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

3.74

151

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Kiki and Jacques 90%

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

by Susan Ross 2015

3.74

151 ratings

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Dear Martin

by Nic Stone • 2017

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

4.33

86k+

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Dear Martin 90%

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

by Nic Stone 2017

4.33

86k+ ratings

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan • 2013

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

4.14

88k+

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Counting by 7s 90%

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

by Holly Goldberg Sloan 2013

4.14

88k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

The Science of Breakable Things

by Tae Keller • 2018

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

4.12

5k+

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

The Science of Breakable Things 90%

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

by Tae Keller 2018

4.12

5k+ ratings

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

Room to Dream

by Kelly Yang • 2021

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

4.37

6k+

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Room to Dream 90%

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

by Kelly Yang 2021

4.37

6k+ ratings

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Aniana del Mar Jumps In

by Jasminne Mendez • 2023

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

4.02

895

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

Aniana del Mar Jumps In 90%

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

by Jasminne Mendez 2023

4.02

895 ratings

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

Bouncing Back

by Scott Ostler • 2019

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

4.05

220

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

Bouncing Back 90%

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

by Scott Ostler 2019

4.05

220 ratings

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Curtis • 1999

A 10-year-old runaway treks across 1930s Michigan, certain a famous bandleader is his lost father.

3.98

116k+

📉 Great Depression 🚸 Orphan Protagonist 🏃 Runaway Child 🔍 Missing Father 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family

Bud, Not Buddy 90%

A 10-year-old runaway treks across 1930s Michigan, certain a famous bandleader is his lost father.

by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999

3.98

116k+ ratings

📉 Great Depression 🚸 Orphan Protagonist 🏃 Runaway Child 🔍 Missing Father 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea • 2010

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

4.35

46k+

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Because of Mr. Terupt 90%

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

by Rob Buyea 2010

4.35

46k+ ratings

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

The Star Outside My Window

by Onjali Q. Raúf • 2019

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

4.31

3k+

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

The Star Outside My Window 90%

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

by Onjali Q. Raúf 2019

4.31

3k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

If You Come Softly

by Jacqueline Woodson • 1998

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

4.03

13k+

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

If You Come Softly 90%

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

by Jacqueline Woodson 1998

4.03

13k+ ratings

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

Auggie & Me

by R.J. Palacio • 2015

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

4.27

42k+

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Auggie & Me 90%

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

by R.J. Palacio 2015

4.27

42k+ ratings

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper • 2010

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

4.34

191k+

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

Out of My Mind 90%

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

by Sharon M. Draper 2010

4.34

191k+ ratings

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

Falling Short

by Ernesto Cisneros • 2022

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

4.05

2k+

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Falling Short 90%

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

by Ernesto Cisneros 2022

4.05

2k+ ratings

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Forget Me Not

by Ellie Terry • 2017

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

3.91

16k+

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Forget Me Not 90%

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

by Ellie Terry 2017

3.91

16k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Guitar Notes

by Mary Amato • 2012

A cellist and guitarist trade notes in a practice room that become their only honest conversations.

4.04

6k+

🎵 Musical Coming Of Age 🎻 Opposites Attract 📝 Secret Friendship 😰 Parental Pressure 🎶 Music As Healing

Guitar Notes 90%

A cellist and guitarist trade notes in a practice room that become their only honest conversations.

by Mary Amato 2012

4.04

6k+ ratings

🎵 Musical Coming Of Age 🎻 Opposites Attract 📝 Secret Friendship 😰 Parental Pressure 🎶 Music As Healing

A Thousand Perfect Notes

by C.G. Drews • 2018

Beck plays piano to survive his mother's rage. August teaches him to play for himself.

4.16

5k+

🎹 Musical Prodigy 😰 Abusive Parent 🩹 Child Abuse Recovery ☀️ Grumpy X Sunshine 🏠 Found Family

A Thousand Perfect Notes 90%

Beck plays piano to survive his mother's rage. August teaches him to play for himself.

by C.G. Drews 2018

4.16

5k+ ratings

🎹 Musical Prodigy 😰 Abusive Parent 🩹 Child Abuse Recovery ☀️ Grumpy X Sunshine 🏠 Found Family

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

by Sally J. Pla • 2023

Wildfire takes her father's cabin. The Pacific gives her a surfboard, a mentor, and a voice.

4.50

3k+

🧩 Autistic Protagonist 🫂 Found Family 🏄 Surfing As Healing 🗣️ Breaking The Silence 🏖️ Small Beach Town

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn Summary

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn 90%

Wildfire takes her father's cabin. The Pacific gives her a surfboard, a mentor, and a voice.

by Sally J. Pla 2023

4.50

3k+ ratings

🧩 Autistic Protagonist 🫂 Found Family 🏄 Surfing As Healing 🗣️ Breaking The Silence 🏖️ Small Beach Town

Everything Sad Is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri • 2020

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

4.30

44k+

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

Everything Sad Is Untrue 90%

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

by Daniel Nayeri 2020

4.30

44k+ ratings

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim

by Patricia Park • 2023

A racist remark makes a scholarship kid the face of her prep school's diversity campaign.

3.96

2k+

🏫 Prep School 🎓 Scholarship Kid 🌐 Code-Switching 🧬 Hybrid Identity 🌏 Immigrant Family

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim Summary

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim 90%

A racist remark makes a scholarship kid the face of her prep school's diversity campaign.

by Patricia Park 2023

3.96

2k+ ratings

🏫 Prep School 🎓 Scholarship Kid 🌐 Code-Switching 🧬 Hybrid Identity 🌏 Immigrant Family

We Are Not Like Them

by Christine Pride • 2021

A Black journalist's best friend is married to the officer who killed a Black teen.

4.06

53k+

🫂 Female Friendship 🤝 Interracial Friendship 👥 Dual Perspective 🚔 Police Brutality ⚖️ Moral Complexity

We Are Not Like Them 90%

A Black journalist's best friend is married to the officer who killed a Black teen.

by Christine Pride 2021

4.06

53k+ ratings

🫂 Female Friendship 🤝 Interracial Friendship 👥 Dual Perspective 🚔 Police Brutality ⚖️ Moral Complexity

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish 90%

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

Hurricane Child

by Kacen Callender • 2018

Haunted by a spirit and her absent mother, an island girl falls for the new student.

3.78

5k+

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Middle Grade 💖 First Queer Crush 🌴 Caribbean Setting 👻 Spirits And Ghosts 💔 Missing Mother

Hurricane Child 90%

Haunted by a spirit and her absent mother, an island girl falls for the new student.

by Kacen Callender 2018

3.78

5k+ ratings

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Middle Grade 💖 First Queer Crush 🌴 Caribbean Setting 👻 Spirits And Ghosts 💔 Missing Mother

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

by Chanel Miller • 2024

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

4.18

4k+

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All 90%

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

by Chanel Miller 2024

4.18

4k+ ratings

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M