Books like 'River Boy'
Readers who enjoyed River Boy by Tim Bowler also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy action / adventure supernatural family paranormal ghosts children sad
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Tourmaline by Terry Bolryder
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsKai, formerly a powerful storm dragon, can't seem to stop causing chaos wherever he goes, despite being collared in human form. Now he's been ejected from the company of other dragons and sent out to an island to take a vacation and not come back without a mate. Something that isn't easy to do, given that his awareness of social norms is so low that even his extravagant sexiness can't overcome it... -
Stirring the Storm by Ali Sparkes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn this exciting finale Dax and his friends are moved to the country in a bid to keep their identities a secret, but are the special forces who are transporting them their allies, or are the Children of Limitless Ability being used as pawns in a much bigger scheme? Once again it is Dax who's at the centre of things - it's him they want most of all... -
Ghost Ship by Pandora Pine
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLovers separated in death. A family terrorized for generations. Can Jude and Cope solve the mystery before it drags them under?Cope, already plagued by dreams of a watery death aboard the Titanic, is asked to help a haunted family in Nova Scotia... -
Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsJasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy... -
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The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNOW IN PAPERBACK!"Splendidly entertaining." —Kirkus Reviews★ "A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colorful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings."—School Library Journal (starred)★ "Like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld—fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order... -
Her Evil Twin by Mimi McCoy
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIs Anna's new BFF really her evil twin? Nothing is as it seems in this thrilling, bone-chilling new Poison Apple book!Anna's new friend, Emma, is everything Anna wants to be -- fearless, effortlessly fashionable, and always up for doing something new and fun. The girls even look alike, and soon they're fixing their hair the same way and sharing clothes.But Emma is also kind of a troublemaker... -
May Bird, Warrior Princess by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAt Hog Wallow Middle School, May Ellen Bird was always slightly invisible. Then she went on a long trip to the land of the dead, where ghost towns glowed blue in the dark dusk and spooky specters dwelled in cities on the Dead Sea... -
Novak Grizzly by T.S. Joyce
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Daughter of Beaston is hurting. Remington Novak is stuck in a city, her whole life altered for a man who didn’t keep her. A life change comes in many forms, but for Remi, it comes as a newspaper clipping, sent by her best friend. A Last Chance Crew up in the mountains is looking for help, and her skillset matches the requirements. Must like animals? She was a grizzly shifter... -
After All the Wreckage by L.J. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat if the future is already written? GageWhen Rory Marlowe Bishop walks out of my past and into my bar, I realize she’s not just a kid anymore. Now she’s hell on wheels and a special kind of temptation. But I can’t afford the distraction, not with the responsibility I’ve inherited... -
Awful Auntie by David Walliams
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsFrom number one bestselling author David Walliams comes another heartfelt but hilarious hoot of an adventureStella Saxby is the sole heir to Saxby Hall. But awful Aunt Alberta and her giant owl will stop at nothing to get it from her... -
Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA delightful, funny story of friendship, ghost chores, a spooky house and a professional haunter.Meet Sir Simon, Super Scarer. He's a professional ghost who has been transferred to his first house. And just in time! He was getting tired of haunting bus stops and forests and potatoes... -
Lost Lullaby by Jason Segel
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratings"Coraline meets Monsters, Inc. in this delightfully entertaining offering from actor [Jason] Segel and co-author [Kirsten] Miller." --Publishers Weekly, on book one in the series Stay up late with the hilariously frightening middle-grade novel Nightmares! The Lost Lullaby... -
Isadora Moon Makes Winter Magic by Harriet Muncaster
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIsadora Moon is special because she's different. Her mum is a fairy and her dad is a vampire and she's a bit of both. Isadora loves playing in the snow, especially when her creations come to life! But snow magic can't last forever... -
The Pretender by Rob Blackwell
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA young girl slaughters her entire family in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The police say she snapped, but Soren Chase knows the truth... -
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Dead Scary: The Ghost who refused to leave by Sally Gould
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAdam is an ordinary boy, except for one thing. He can see and talk with ghosts.When his family moves into what seems like the home of his dreams, Adam finds out it isn't his dream home after all. Edward Lawrence, a bossy ghost who was Adam's age when he died, regards the home as his own and he doesn't want to share it with an annoying boy who can see him... -
Coco Middle Grade Novel by Diana López
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsInspired by Pixar Animation Studios' latest film, Coco, this middle grade novel retells the story of Miguel's daring adventure, and features exciting new scenes about his family... -
Isadora Moon Goes on a Field Trip by Harriet Muncaster
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFans of Vampirina and the Princess in Black series will love Isadora Moon: half-fairy, half-vampire, totally unique--and totally unafraid to be different!Isadora is the only half-fairy, half-vampire in her human school. She knows what it's like to be different... -
The Haunted Howl by Eric Luper
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCleo and Evan have a secret. A collection of books so dangerous they are locked up tight. A friend has vanished inside the pages of one of them. It's up to them to find the key that will set her free. THE CURSE OF THE FULL MOON MUST BE BROKEN!On a dark and stormy night, Cleo and Evan are haunted by a disaster... -
Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSid Jones loves hanging out in the graveyard with her best friend Zen - they are desperate to see a real-life ghost!But when Sid accidentally summons a 300-year-old pirate from the dead, it opens the door to the HALFWAY HOUSE - a magical inn FULL of lost souls from across the ages, all trapped there by a sinister landlord... -
Sanctuary by Ann-Katrin Byrde
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“Omegas for alphas and betas for betas…” Ori and Patton have been best friends since they were pups. But growing up changes everything—Ori must settle on an alpha to mate, while Patton takes on the beta's work of maintaining the walled enclave their pack lives within...Categorized as:
children family paranormal action-adventure audiobook book fiction friends-to-lovers -
Lost Girl by Anne Francis Scott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLost Girl - Readers' Favorite Award Finalist in Paranormal FictionRenowned sculptor Allison Weathers doesn't believe in ghosts. But when a tragic twist of fate leads her to the small mountain town of Dawson Mills, Tennessee, she soon learns that the dead don't always stay silent. Shadows begin to shift in the rambling, old Victorian farmhouse she's purchased. Voices come from nowhere... -
Recess Is a Jungle! by Jack Chabert
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSam, Antonio, and Lucy get trapped in a monstrous hedge maze! Will they ever find their way out?This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
Gilda Joyce: The Bones of the Holy by Jennifer Allison
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen Gilda Joyce's mother announces her engagement to a man from St. Augustine, Florida, Gilda is appalled. She hasn't even given him the "Joyce Family Application" yet! But as the wedding preparations get under way, Gilda realizes she has much bigger concerns. Why does her soon-to-be stepdad keep calling Mrs. Joyce by his ex-wife's name? And why is Mrs... -
Memento Mori by Amicus Arcane
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe eerie Amicus Arcane is on the hunt for writers, ghost writers, of course, to tell one more story--the scariest story of all. Do you dare join him on this journey? Do you dare enter the Haunted Mansion...? Amicus Arcane is about to retire from his position as the ghost librarian of the Haunted Mansion... -
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Disney Animated Classics: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Sally Morgan, Marilyn Easton
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSee how Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, and others came to life in this retelling of Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas .Illustrated with a variety of paintings, sketches, and concept art from the original Disney Studio artists, this fresh retelling of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the story of the classic animated film... -
Immortal War by Justin Somper
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA bloody war is raging across the oceans, with the Pirate Federation and Nocturnals in alliance against the renegade Vampirates, led by Sidorio and Lola... -
The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsDiana and her little brother Georgie have been living in the woods behind the old Willis place, a decaying Victorian mansion, for what already seems like forever. They aren’t allowed to leave the property or show themselves to anyone... -
Being of Two Minds by Pamela F. Service
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsConnie Hendricks was a typical American teen except for her dizzy spells, when she would pass out. When this happened, she entered the mind and soul of Prince Rudolph, the fourteen-year-old heir apparent of Thulgaria, a small European country. Prince Rudolph had spells too, when he entered Connie's mind and life...Categorized as:
children family paranormal action-adventure book children-books female-author fiction -
In the City of Dreams by Tony Abbott
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe secret is out --- DROON is the series that kids, parents, and teachers are talking about! There are now over 10 million DROON books in print.Eric has been wounded during an epic battle with Ko and his beasts. Now, the young wizard lies in a coma, trapped in a dream-state halfway between fantasy and reality... -
Scream Street: Skull of the Skeleton by Tommy Donbavand
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMake no bones about it! There’s a headhunt underway — and Luke is closing in on one of the final relics — as the Scream Street series screeches ahead!None other than the Headless Horseman, the world’s most famous ghost, is appearing at Everwell’s Emporium to launch his new perfume, “Decapitation pour l’Homme... -
Ghosts Don't Ride Bikes, Do They? by Andrés Miedoso
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDesmond and Andres are in for a bike-riding adventure in the second book of the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter book series!Welcome to Kersville, a town with a spooky history and a collection of ghosts and spirits who are major mischief-makers. Most kids spend their days without ever seeing or dealing with a ghost, but some kids get stuck with a haunt... -
Glimpse by Steven Whibley
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Save them, Dean. Save them all...."Dean Curse avoids attention the way his best friend Colin avoids common sense. Which is why he isn’t happy about being Abbotsford’s latest local hero – having saved the life of a stranger, he is now front page news...Categorized as:
children family paranormal action-adventure book children-books fiction middle-grade -
The Vampire's Curse by Dan Greenburg
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn an astounding turn of events, the Shluffmuffins twins' long-lost father has reappeared years after his tragic Porta Potti accident. Wally and Cheyenne, of course, are thrilled to see their dear old dad again... -
The Loch Ness Punster by Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn the seventh and final installment of the popular 43 Old Cemetery Road series, twelve-year-old Seymour Hope has inherited a castle in Loch Ness, Scotland. It could be the perfect summer vacation spot for Seymour and his parents, Olive C. Spence and Ignatius B. Grumply. But Iggy wants nothing to do with the castle... -
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Marc by Kathi S. Barton
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“I’m talking to you, the least you can do is acknowledge me.”“Hello. Now get the fuck away from me. I’m on my lunch hour. My time, not yours.” Marc growled low and Jonny’s entire body went on alert; her cat seemed to skim along her skin. She stood up, dumping her lunch on the table and backed up.“You felt it, didn’t you?” He moved toward her slowly as he spoke low... -
Dark Fire by Angela Dorsey
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen Lisa's family was forced to sell their house and horses, life became hard enough - but then her dad finds out Lisa is going everyday to visit the horse that was once hers, her beloved Jupiter, and forbids her to go again. But nothing is going to stop Lisa, not even the new owner's nephew who threatens her...Categorized as:
children family paranormal action-adventure animals anthropomorphism book children-books -
Ghost in the Attic by Dori Hillestad Butler
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA brand-new young chapter book series from Edgar Award winner Dori Hillestad Butler! After successfully solving the mystery of the ghost in the library, Kaz and Claire land the first case for their detective agency--a haunted attic in a neighbor's home! With a little help from Grannie, Kaz and Claire discover that what appeared to be something spooky has a much simpler explanation...Categorized as:
children ghosts paranormal action-adventure book children-books contemporary fiction -
A Kingdom Rises by J.D. Rinehart, Graham Edwards
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFamily secrets combine with fantasy in this epic tale of battle, magic, strange creatures, power, and fate, in this final novel in a sweeping middle grade series that Publishers Weekly called “Game of Thrones on a mellow day.”An ancient prophecy says that when three stars appear in the sky, triplets will take the throne and peace will come to the land... -
No Way Out by Dan Poblocki
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShadow House always wins . . .Poppy, Dash, Azumi, and Dylan may have made it out of Shadow House--but the grounds are a whole new nightmare. Someone they thought was a friend is hunting them, and there's no place that's safe now that they've woken the shadow creature... -
Mennyms in the Wilderness by Sylvia Waugh
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe Mennyms, a family of life-size rag dolls living in a house in England and pretending to be human, continue to fear that their secret will be discovered by the outside world... -
Eeli by Steph Marie, Bobbie Rayne
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEeli~ I’ve been training my entire life for this; I need to be the best, the best fighter, the best dragon rider in the entire brotherhood. This is what I was born for. The only problem is that my bonded dragon, Bodhi, and I can’t seem to get it together. One minute I think we’re connecting properly, and the next she’s taking off, leading me to the one guy I don’t want to know: Slash... -
Disney Tales from the Haunted Mansion Volume III Grim Grinning Ghosts by Amicus Arcane
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTales from the Haunted Mansion, Volume III: Grim Grinning GhostsAs told by mansion librarian Amicus ArcaneThe eerie Amicus Arcane has returned from beyond the grave to share more spooky stories from inside the Haunted Mansion. What frightening fictions does this once-living librarian hold in store? And will you, foolish reader, be brave enough to listen to them all without going mad.. -
An Unexpected Guest by Heather Graham
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsKrewe Special Agent Jon Dickson and Kylie Connolly met under tough circumstances, but despite that, they discovered it seemed they were meant to be.Now, moved into a condo in the D.C... -
The Midnight Gate by Helen Stringer
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt's been two months since Belladonna Johnson discovered she was the Spellbinder, and she's full of questions about her powers. When a ghost finds Belladonna and her classmate, Steve, and gives them a mysterious map, the friends don't know if they should be looking for or hiding from the one person who holds the answers to Belladonna's powers: the Queen of the Abyss...Categorized as:
children ghosts paranormal action-adventure audiobook book children-books chosen-one -
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Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur T. Bradley
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsKendra Levin, while at Viking, acquired world rights to Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by middle-grade author Fleur Bradley, pitched as in the tradition of The Westing Game with a touch of Clue. Aneeka Kalia will edit. Five murder suspects are invited to the haunted Barclay Hotel, and it's up to the tag-along kids JJ and Penny—and a ghost—to figure out who committed the crime... -
You Can't Hide by Dan Poblocki
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPoppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan, and Azumi are all trapped within Shadow House, a sinister estate where past and present intertwine. As they fight to find a way out, the kids think the ghosts of the house are the greatest danger they face. Little do the kids know it's the secrets they're each hiding that will prove even more lethal... -
Rose and the Silver Ghost by Holly Webb
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTime has flown since Rose left the orphanage behind, and she loves her new family at Mr Fountain's magical house. But she still can't help wondering - what happened to her real family? Were they full of magic too, like her? Then Rose discovers a clue to the mystery: a silver mirror which once belonged to her mother. A mirror with a ghost..Categorized as:
children family ghosts paranormal action-adventure book children-books coming-of-age -
Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEach day, sixth-grader Rusty feeds a dog that's left chained in the frigid weather with no shelter, food, or water. When he realizes the dog has been injured, he tries to have Animal Control help - but when that fails, Rusty and his friend Andrew unchain the dog and take it... -
Time for Andrew: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAunt Blythe's house gives Andrew the creeps -- full of dark rooms, creaky noises, and the sound of a woman sobbing somewhere in the shadows. Then, in the middle of the night, Andrew awakens to find a boy standing in his room...a boy who is Andrew's double, except he looks as if he's come from the grave. He wants to follow him -- to a place where he will meet the spirits of long-dead ancestors..Categorized as:
children family ghosts paranormal action-adventure book children-books coming-of-age -
Firesong by William Nicholson
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe Manth people are at last free to seek their promised land, led by Bowman and Kestrel's mother, a prophetess. But the journey is long and hard, filled with many dangers, enemies, distractions, and temptations. And each of the travelers is preoccupied with his or her own worries...
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