Books like 'Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key'
Readers who enjoyed Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary psychological realistic humor children family bullying domestic-drama male-mc friendship
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Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsMelody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom - the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged because she cannot tell them otherwise... -
![The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig]()
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend…Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party... until, that is, a new kid comes to class.When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship realistic children-books contemporary disability female-author -
![내 토끼가 또 사라졌어! by Mo Willems]()
내 토끼가 또 사라졌어! by Mo Willems
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsKorean edition of the last story of Knuffle Bunny series, KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems, the author of a three-time Caldecott Honor winner (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, and Knuffle Bunny Too)... -
![Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival]()
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA sensitive and reassuring story about what to do when a worry won't leave you alone. Meet Ruby—a happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger... And a little bigger... Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about... -
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![This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel]()
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsAn alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here and here.This is how a family keeps a secret…and how that secret ends up keeping them.This is how a family lives happily ever after…until happily ever after becomes complicated.This is how children change…and then change the world.This is Claude. He’s five years old, the youngest of five brothers, and loves peanut butter sandwiches...Categorized as:
bullying coming-of-age domestic-drama family friendship humor realistic 21st-century -
![Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt]()
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA extraordinary novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate her difference.Selah knows her rules for being normal.She always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on, so that she has to run to the bathroom and hide in the stall until she can calm down... -
![The Story of Our Secrets by Shari Low]()
The Story of Our Secrets by Shari Low
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsColm O’Flynn was loved by his close circle of family and friends, however his death came too soon for everyone to make peace with their past.Shauna, his second wife, adored him. But one night she broke their marriage vows, and didn’t get time to ask Colm’s forgiveness.Jess was the first Mrs O’Flynn... -
![One Moment by Linda Green]()
One Moment by Linda Green
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFinn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time. Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home. Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in... -
![Jabari salta by Gaia Cornwall]()
Jabari salta by Gaia Cornwall
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsJabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age family realistic action-adventure black-mc book children-books -
![Seabreeze Reunion by Jan Moran]()
Seabreeze Reunion by Jan Moran
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhat could possibly go wrong at a family reunion? At the Seabreeze Inn, you just never know...Ivy and Shelly are looking forward to hosting a long-awaited family reunion at the Seabreeze Inn... -
![Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt]()
Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"A brave and breathtaking musical... -
![Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst]()
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsThe perennially popular tale of Alexander's worst day is a storybook that belongs on every child's bookshelf.Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair.And it got worse...His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag... -
![The Cool Bean by Jory John, Джори Джон]()
The Cool Bean by Jory John, Джори Джон
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsEveryone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done... -
![An Unusual Boy by Fiona Higgins]()
An Unusual Boy by Fiona Higgins
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsMeet Jackson - a very unusual boy in a world that prefers 'normal'...Julia Curtis is a busy mother of three, with a husband often away for work, an ever-present mother-in-law, a career, and a house that needs doing up. Her fourteen-year-old daughter, Milla, has fallen in love for the first time, and her youngest, Ruby, is a nine-year-old fashionista who can out-negotiate anyone... -
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![The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart]()
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIt's been three months since The Night on the Bathroom Floor--when Lily found her older sister Alice hurting herself. Ever since then, Lily has been desperately trying to keep things together, for herself and for her family. But now Alice is coming home from her treatment program and it is becoming harder for Lily to ignore all of the feelings she's been trying to outrun...Categorized as:
realistic family friendship coming-of-age bullying romance mental-illness young-adult -
![Real by Carol Cujec, Peyton Goddard]()
Real by Carol Cujec, Peyton Goddard
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMy name is Charity. I am thirteen years old. Actually, thirteen years plus eighty-seven days. I love sour gummies and pepperoni pizza. That last part no one knows because I have not spoken a sentence since I was born. Each dawning day, I live in terror of my unpredictable body that no one understands... -
![Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick]()
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsThirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute)... -
![The Good Egg by Jory John]()
The Good Egg by Jory John
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn this follow-up to Jory John and Pete Oswald’s popular picture book The Bad Seed, meet the next best thing: a very good egg, indeed!The good egg has been good for as long as he can remember. While the other eggs in his carton are kind of rotten, he always does the right, kind, and courteous thing... -
![Sunshine Avenue by Jan Moran]()
Sunshine Avenue by Jan Moran
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsJunie Raines is ready for a second chance at life on a sunny island off the coast of Southern California. She’s managing the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel, a Victorian-era beach resort, but her sister Maileah is driving her bonkers. And now she wants to live with her... -
![A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart]()
A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsDiscover a unique, funny and moving debut that will make you laugh, cry and smile. Meet thirtysomething dad, AlexHe loves his wife Jody, but has forgotten how to show it. He loves his son Sam, but doesn't understand him. Something has to change. And he needs to start with himself.Meet eight-year-old SamBeautiful, surprising, autistic. To him the world is a puzzle he can't solve on his own... -
![Can You See Me? by Libby Scott]()
Can You See Me? by Libby Scott
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsEndearing, insightful and warmly uplifting, Can You See Me? is a story of autism, empathy and kindness that will touch readers of all ages. Tally is eleven years old and she's just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there's something that makes Tally not the same as her friends... -
![Sabtu Bersama Bapak by Adhitya Mulya]()
Sabtu Bersama Bapak by Adhitya Mulya
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratings“Hai, Satya! Hai, Cakra!” Sang Bapak melambaikan tangan. “Ini Bapak. Iya, benar kok, ini Bapak. Bapak cuma pindah ke tempat lain. Gak sakit. Alhamdulillah, berkat doa Satya dan Cakra. … Mungkin Bapak tidak dapat duduk dan bermain di samping kalian. Tapi, Bapak tetap ingin kalian tumbuh dengan Bapak di samping kalian. Ingin tetap dapat bercerita kepada kalian... -
![Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae]()
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsGerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship humor action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Coral Weddings by Jan Moran]()
Coral Weddings by Jan Moran
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhile Marina and Jack contemplate their future, her sister Kai and her new fiance Axe are planning their wedding. When disagreements threaten to derail the wedding, the sisters' grandmother, the indomitable Ginger Delavie, doles out unusual advice. Soon, an unforgettable event unfolds... -
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![I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer]()
I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsMercer Mayer’s Little Critter is having quite the grumpy day in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he’s cranky on the slide or stubborn in the sandbox, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story... -
![After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick, Nick Podehl]()
After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick, Nick Podehl
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsEven though the cancer should be far behind him, Jeffrey still worries that it will return. He's got normal teen stuff to deal with, too - friends, parents, girls, school.Normally, he'd ask his older brother, Steven, for advice. But Steven, always the trusty, responsible one, is finally rebelling and has taken off to Africa to join a drumming circle and 'find himself.'Jeffrey feels abandoned... -
![Finding Me by Judith Keim]()
Finding Me by Judith Keim
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSheena Sullivan Morelli and her sisters, Darcy and Regan, receive the unexpected news that their Uncle Gavin Sullivan, the black sheep of the family, has left them a hotel on the Gulf coast of Florida. The gift comes with a twist. They must live together for one year at the hotel and prepare the hotel to receive guests within a year... -
![Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz]()
Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTo Molly Nathans, perfect is:• The number four• The tip of a newly sharpened number two pencil• A crisp, white pad of paper • Her neatly aligned glass animal figurinesWhat’s not perfect is Molly’s mother leaving the family to take a faraway job with the promise to return in one year...Categorized as:
children domestic-drama family friendship realistic children-books contemporary disability -
![The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle]()
The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNew town, new school, new friends. It was difficult for Ginny at first, but her senior year is finally starting to feel kind of normal. That is, until she sees him—the beautiful mystery in her English class. He has never spoken a word to anyone. He moves through each day at school without making eye contact. His name is Smitty Tibbs, but everyone calls him the Alien... -
![No, David! by David Shannon]()
No, David! by David Shannon
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsWhen author and artist David Shannon was five years old, he wrote a semi-autobiographical story of a little kid who broke all his mother's rules. He chewed with his mouth open, jumped on the furniture, and he broke his mother's vase... -
![Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine]()
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsTen-year-old Caitlin, who has Asperger's Syndrome, struggles to understand emotions, show empathy, and make friends at school, while at home she seeks closure by working on a project with her father... -
![A Life Without You by Shari Low]()
A Life Without You by Shari Low
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTouching, funny, and bittersweet, this is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and call your best friend to tell her you love her. Dee and Jen have been best friends since their days of teenage crushes, bad 90's make-up and huge hair... -
![What She Saw by Wendy Clarke]()
What She Saw by Wendy Clarke
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsShe lied to her daughter to save her family. Everyone knows Leona would do anything for her daughter Beth: she moved to Church Langdon to send Beth to the best school, worked hard to build a successful business to support them and found them the perfect little cottage to call home. Leona and Beth hike together, shop together, share their hopes and fears with one another... -
![It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini]()
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 43 ratingsLike many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life--which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job--Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy... -
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![Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls]()
Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratings"My name is Sam. I am eleven years old. I collect stories and fantastic facts. By the time you read this, I will probably be dead." Sam loves facts. He wants to know about UFOs and horror movies and airships and ghosts and scientists, and how it feels to kiss a girl. And because he has leukaemia he wants to know the facts about dying. Sam needs answers to the questions nobody will answer... -
![Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes]()
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsSheila Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn't always know better!This classic picture book about overcoming fear is written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon... -
![Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin]()
Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe first thing you’re going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is…Riley isn’t exactly out yet... -
![Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz]()
Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA powerful story of two unlikely friends brought together by the love of a dog ‘Timeless and clever.’ Sophie Dahl Sometimes rivals just need a helping paw... It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies...Categorized as:
family friendship children realistic middle-grade animals young-adult children-books -
![The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill]()
The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsOh, would that all bullying problems could be solved so easily! Mean Jean is the reigning Recess Queen, pushing and smooshing, hammering and slammering the other kids whenever they cross her. And then one day a puny new girl shows up on the playground and catches Mean Jean completely off-guard... -
![Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes]()
Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsMaguire is bad luck.No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time the roller coaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch... -
![600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster]()
600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA thirty-nine-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Edward Stanton lives alone on a rigid schedule in the Montana town where he grew up. His carefully constructed routine includes tracking his most common waking time (7:38 a.m.), refusing to start his therapy sessions even a minute before the appointed hour (10:00 a.m... -
![Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton]()
Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsAdam is a pretty regular teen, except he's navigating high school life while living with paranoid schizophrenia. His hallucinations include a cast of characters that range from the good (beautiful Rebecca) to the bad (angry Mob Boss) to the just plain weird (polite naked guy). An experimental drug promises to help him hide his illness from the world... -
![Something Like Happy by Eva Woods]()
Something Like Happy by Eva Woods
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWith wry wit and boundless heart, Eva Woods delivers an unforgettable tale of celebrating triumphs great and small, seizing the day, and always remembering to live in the moment.“It's simple, really. You're just meant to do one thing every day that makes you happy. Could be little things. Could be big. In fact, we're doing one right now…”Annie Hebden is stuck... -
![George by Alex Gino]()
George by Alex Gino
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsBE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy... -
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![Og så drukner jeg ... by Ditte Wiese, Mathilde Eusebius]()
Og så drukner jeg ... by Ditte Wiese, Mathilde Eusebius
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHvis ikke du præsterer perfekt, er du en taber! Sådan tænker den 18-årige Josephine, der forsøger at være ligeså perfekt og dygtig som sine venner.Hun har lagt en plan for sit liv. Hun har valgt en fornuftig uddannelse, den rigtige kæreste og den korrekte diæt. Det er godt, og det er perfekt. Men der er noget, der sitrer i hende. Små bølger af noget forkert, der presser på og holder hende vågen...Categorized as:
family friendship audiobook contemporary female-author fiction psychological young-adult -
![My Mother's Eyes: A Short Story by Jeremy Ray]()
My Mother's Eyes: A Short Story by Jeremy Ray
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“You’re wrong, Jordie. You’ll see. Draw me just one more time.”No one knows if his mother will come out of her coma, so fourteen-year-old Jordie memorializes her in the only way he knows how: by drawing her. His older brother doesn’t approve of these sketches, but Jordie’s determined to capture the person she used to be... -
![The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy]()
The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHave you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete's new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about "The Promise"...Categorized as:
realistic bullying children friendship children-books fiction psychological contemporary -
![Lark Song by Jane Bailey]()
Lark Song by Jane Bailey
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey want to move on—but one terrible truth could shatter it all.As a widowed mother of three, new love seems impossible for Freya—until she meets Duncan, and suddenly she feels alive again. But there are secrets afflicting Freya’s family, some more sinister than others, that could destroy their relationship before it has a chance to flourish... -
![Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe]()
Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNo matter how many times Kyle rewrites the scene, he can't get it right. He tries it in the style of Hitchcock, Tarantino, Eastwood, all of his favorite directors—but regardless of the style, he can't remember what happened that day in the shed. The day Jason died... -
![Year We Fell From Space by Amy Sarig King]()
Year We Fell From Space by Amy Sarig King
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe deeply affecting next book from acclaimed author Amy Sarig King.Liberty Johansen is going to change the way we look at the night sky. Most people see the old constellations, the things they've been told to see. But Liberty sees new patterns, pictures, and possibilities. She's an exception. Some other exceptions:Her dad, who gave her the stars...Categorized as:
realistic family bullying coming-of-age children friendship middle-grade mental-illness
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