Books like 'Heaven'
Readers who enjoyed Heaven by Angela Johnson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary mystery realistic family poc-mc teens friendship coming-of-age children high-school
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Mr. Terupt Falls Again by Rob Buyea
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsThe kids and teacher of Because of Mr. Terupt are back in this warm-hearted sequel.Fifth-grade was full of unforgettable events for Mr. Terupt and his class at Snow Hill School. Seven students were particularly affected by Mr. Terupt... -
Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratings#1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein is back with the third fantastically fun, puzzle-packed MR. LEMONCELLO adventure!On your marks. Get set. Lemon, cello, GO!Everyone's favorite game maker, Mr... -
A Gallagher Wedding by Ally Carter
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratings...Categorized as:
coming-of-age family friendship high-school realistic teens action-adventure boarding-school -
Aidan: One Night With The Doctor by T.C. Clark
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA Wallflower's Novella... Aidan Tura is a man with a plan. He lived his life just as he liked. He was a surgeon at a prestigious hospital, he'd earned countless awards in his career, and he was surrounded by good family and friends. Some would say his life was as close to perfect as it could be. But when he runs into his college sweetheart everything changes. She was his one mistake... -
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The Walk On by John Feinstein
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBestselling sportswriter John Feinstein kicks off a new series for middle grade featuring Alex Myers, a student athlete who tries to take on the sports establishment in his new town. Alex Myers is a quarterback, but from the first day of football practice, it’s clear that that position is very much filled by the coach’s son, Matt... -
Sara and the Search for Normal by Wesley King
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“It’s the vivid, insightful depiction of Sara’s internal struggles that readers will remember.” — BooklistIn this prequel to the Edgar Award–winning OCDaniel , fan-favorite Sara quests for “normal” and finds something even better along the way.Sara’s Rules to Be Normal1. Stop taking your pills19. Make a friend137. Don’t put mayonnaise on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...Categorized as:
realistic family friendship coming-of-age mental-illness middle-grade fiction young-adult -
The How & the Why by Cynthia Hand
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.Today Melly had us writing letters to our babies…Cassandra McMurtrey has the best parents a girl could ask for. They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants...Categorized as:
coming-of-age family friendship high-school poc-mc realistic audiobook boarding-school -
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIn this striking new novel by the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming, Tiffany D. Jackson tells the story of three Brooklyn teens who plot to turn their murdered friend into a major rap star by pretending he's still alive. Brooklyn, 1998. Biggie Smalls was right: Things done changed... -
Lost and Found by Anne Schraff
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWelcome to Bluford High. This widely acclaimed teen series set in an urban high school features engaging, accessible writing and appealing, contemporary storylines.Darcy Wills is in big trouble. And she does not know where to turn for help. First there was the mysterious stranger who started following her. Then there was the threatening note left on her desk at Bluford High School... -
Liam: One Night with the Wicked Chef! by T.C. Clark
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAnother story featuring everlasting love with a sensual bite!Irene James knows what she wants from a man, and sis, Liam Campbell isn’t it. She knew the power famous men had and did her best to stay well out of their way. She'd moved to New Orleans to open her dream business and help care for her nephew... -
What They Don't Know by Nicole Maggi
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThree secrets. One decision. A friendship that will change everything.Mellie has always been the reliable friend, the good student, the doting daughter. But when an unspeakable act leads her to withdraw from everyone she loves, she is faced with a life-altering choice―a choice she must face alone.Lise stands up―and speaks out―for what she believes in... -
Tonight We Rule the World by Zack Smedley
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIncludes an exclusive reader's guide from Zack SmedleyFrom the critically acclaimed author of Deposing Nathan comes an explosive examination of identity, voice, and the indelible ways our stories are rewritten by others.In the beginning, Owen’s story was blank . . . then he was befriended by Lily, the aspiring author who helped him find his voice...Categorized as:
realistic coming-of-age family high-school friendship young-adult lgbtq contemporary -
Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrom the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she's never met.Twelve-year-old Adela "Addie" Ram�rez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption... -
Mr. S: A First Day of School Book by Monica Arnaldo
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPrepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school, but can't find their teacher—only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words "Mr. S" scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether or not the sandwich must be their teacher... -
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Kalahari by Jessica Khoury
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsDeep in the Kalahari Desert, a Corpus lab protects a dangerous secret…But what happens when that secret takes on a life of its own? When an educational safari goes wrong, five teens find themselves stranded in the Kalahari Desert without a guide... -
Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSkye and Summer Tanberry are identical twins, and Skye loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skye's been feeling like second-best - it's the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he's fallen not for her, but for Summer, it hurts... -
Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsElise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Uncle and Aunt, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them. There's always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor.When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. Bullying. Not fitting in... -
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsQuinn keeps lists of everything—from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud” and all the boys she’d like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing . . -
Break Us by Jennifer Brown
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNikki Kill doesn’t see the world in black and white. Her synesthesia shades everything in view, transforming numbers, words, and emotions into colorful clues. Which means she’s a dangerous commodity to anyone with something to hide.Nikki has already taken on the Hollises—one of L.A.’s most powerful families—for murdering her half sister, Peyton... -
Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants by Andrea Beaty, Bahni Turpin
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAda Twist is full of questions. A scientist to her very core, Ada asks why again and again. One question always leads to another until she’s off on a journey of discovery! When Rosie Revere’s Uncle Ned gets a little carried away wearing his famous helium pants, it’s up to Ada and friends to chase him down... -
You Don't Even Know by Sue Lawson
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAlex Hudson is a good guy. He plays water polo. He has a part-time job. He’s doing okay at school.Then the thing that anchors Alex is ripped away and his life seems pointless... -
Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratings"Sibley Carter is a moron and a worldclass jerk." When Julian Carter-Li intercepts an angry e-mail message meant for his greedy, high-powered uncle, it sets him on the course to stop an environmental crime!His uncle’s company plans to cut down some of the oldest remaining California redwood trees, and it’s up to Julian and a ragtag group of friends to figure out a way to stop them... -
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... -
Dime by E.R. Frank
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe startling realities of teen prostitution are revealed in this eye-opening, heartbreaking story from the author of "America," which "Booklist "called a piercing, unforgettable novel and "Kirkus Reviews "deemed a work of sublime humanity. As a teen girl in Newark, New Jersey, lost in the foster care system, Dime just wants someone to care about her, to love her. A family... -
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Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAn against-the-odds love story at the heart of a book for teens about prejudice, courage, and a dark, compelling mystery—shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists Association AwardUgly people don’t have feelings. They’re not like everyone else. They don’t notice if you stare at them and turn away. And if they did notice, it wouldn’t hurt them. They’re not like real people... -
The Lying Woods by Ashley Elston
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsOwen Foster has never wanted for anything. Then his mother shows up at his elite New Orleans boarding school cradling a bombshell: his privileged life has been funded by stolen money... -
Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the field .Shenice Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, is hyper-focused when she steps up to the plate. Nothing can stop her from leading her team to the U12 fast-pitch softball regional championship... -
Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth by Jane O'Connor
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsNancy Clancy is growing up and ready for a whole new adventure . . . in her chapter book debut! Nancy and her best friend, Bree, have everything they need to solve a mystery, from their totally professional trench coats to their top-secret code...Categorized as:
children family friendship realistic audiobook children-books contemporary female-author -
What I Lost by Alexandra Ballard
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsA searing yet ultimately uplifting young adult novel about a teenage girl's recovery from anorexia.Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth has honed a dangerous skill: starving herself. Even when her parents send her to a treatment center, she can't stop. Then she begins receiving packages from someone she doesn't know... -
Ali Cross by James Patterson
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsAlex's son Ali is eager to follow in his father's footsteps as a detective, but when his best friend goes missing, what price will he have to pay to solve the mystery?Ali Cross has always looked up to his father, former detective and FBI agent Alex Cross. While solving some of the nation's most challenging crimes, his father always kept his head and did the right thing... -
Jackpot by Nic Stone
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom the author of the New York Times bestseller Dear Martin --which Angie Thomas, the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, called "a must read"--comes a pitch-perfect romance that examines class, privilege, and how a stroke of good luck can change an entire life...Categorized as:
black-mc coming-of-age family friendship high-school poc-mc realistic action-adventure -
The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThis is Noah Oakman → sixteen, Bowie believer, concise historian, disillusioned swimmer, son, brother, friend. Then Noah → gets hypnotized. Now Noah → sees changes—inexplicable scars, odd behaviors, rewritten histories—in all those around him. All except his Strange Fascinations . . -
A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsOn her way to visit her best friend, Autumn, Jenni Green suddenly finds she's been transported exactly one year forward in time. Now she discovers that in the year that's gone by, tragedy has struck and her friendship with Autumn will never be the same again...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age family friendship realistic action-adventure book children-books -
Boys Against Girls by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAbaguchie mania! Caroline Malloy thrills when Wally Hatford tells her that a strange animal called the abaguchie was spotted in their area. Wally warns Caroline not to search alone, but she is bent on finding the abaguchie. Wally and his brothers try to foil the plan, but Caroline and her sisters plan to outfox them once and for all... -
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The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSixteen-year-old Zeeta and her flighty English-teaching mom, Layla, have traveled the world together, settling in a different country every year, making a whole new set of friends and adopting new customs. This year, they’ve chosen to live in Aix-en-Provence, France, an enchanting city full of fountains, creamy yellow light, and a fascinating group of scarlet-clad street performers... -
Drew Leclair Gets a Clue by Katryn Bury
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn this modern take on Harriet the Spy , twelve-year-old Drew uses her true crime expertise to catch the cyberbully in her school—only to discover that family, friendship, and identity are the hardest mysteries to solve. Drew Leclair knows what it takes to be a great detective. She’s pored over the cases solved by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto... -
The Black Girls Left Standing by Juliana Goodman
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSixteen-year-old Beau Willet has dreams of being an artist and one day leaving the Chicago projects she's grown up in. But after her older sister, Katia, is killed by an off-duty police officer, Beau knows she has to clear her sister's name by finding the only witness to the murder; Katia's no-good boyfriend, Jordan, who has gone missing... -
This Town is on Fire by Pamela N. Harris
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom the critically acclaimed author of When You Look Like Us comes a page-turning YA contemporary novel about what happens when the latest “Becky” on the internet is your best friend. A lot is up in the air in Naomi Henry’s her spot as a varsity cheer flier, her classmates’ reaction to the debut of her natural hair, and her crush on the guy who’s always been like a brother to her...Categorized as:
realistic high-school coming-of-age poc-mc friendship contemporary young-adult audiobook -
Hidden by Helen Frost
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWhen Wren and Darra meet at age fourteen they recognize each other instantly, though they've never actually seen each other. It has been six years since something happened that affected them both profoundly: Darra's father stole a car and drove it home not knowing that Wren was hiding in the back. Darra was the only one that guessed that Wren stayed hidden in their locked garage... -
A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFollow a young girl reshaping her meaning of home.Joy Taylor has always believed home is the house she lived in her entire life. But then her dad lost his job, and suddenly, home becomes a tiny apartment with thin walls, shared bedrooms, and a place for tense arguments between Mom and Dad. Hardest of all, Joy doesn't have her music to escape through anymore... -
Black and White by Paul Volponi
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMarcus and Eddie are best friends who found the strength to break through the racial barrier. Marcus is black; Eddie is white. Stars of their school basketball team, they are true leaders who look past the stereotypes and come out on top. They are inseparable, watching each other's backs, both on and off the basketball court. But one night—and one wrong decision—will change their lives forever... -
The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA sweet story of a tree that's literally filled with secrets.What is your secret?Minty's neighborhood is full of mysteries. There's the Witch House, a spooky old farmhouse on the other side of the woods from where Minty and her best friend, Paz, live. There's the Man Bat, a seven-foot-tall half man, half bat who is rumored to fly through the woods... -
Dead Ends by Erin Jade Lange
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDane Washington is one suspension away from expulsion. In a high school full of “haves,” being a “have not” makes Dane feel like life is hurtling toward one big dead end. Billy D. spends his high school days in Special Ed and he’s not exactly a “have” himself. The biggest thing Billy’s missing? His dad... -
Saving Red by Sonya Sones
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSonya Sones, award-winning author of What My Mother Doesn’t Know, delivers a gripping, funny, and inspiring novel in verse about what happens when the person you set out to save ends up saving you... -
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The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThere is a book that teaches how to be a bully, and it will ruin Eric Haskins’ life. It all starts when his best friend, Donovan, ditches him and befriends Adrian Noble, the tallest kid in class, and a karate-kicking 10-year-old Eric calls Jason Crazy-Pants. The three boys systematically tease and humiliate Eric, eventually turning the entire class against him...Categorized as:
realistic children coming-of-age friendship young-adult middle-grade fiction mystery -
New Girl by Laura Sieveking
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsElla has started at her new high school, and Eden College is everything she hoped it would be. She is getting to know her new friends and enjoying everything Eden has to o er. Until things start to get complicated. She accidently insults Saskia, the school diva, there could be a ghost in the dorm and items have started to mysteriously disappear...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic mystery children-books contemporary young-adult middle-grade -
When I Was Joe by Keren David
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen Ty witnesses a stabbing, his own life is in danger from the criminals he's named, and he and his mum have to go into police protection. Ty has a new name, a new look and a cool new image - life as Joe is good, especially when he gets talent spotted as a potential athletics star, special training from an attractive local celebrity and a lot of female attention...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age high-school realistic 21st-century action-adventure book contemporary -
On Little Wings by Regina Sirois
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThis is a story of the countless ways we get love wrong. And why, despite every disappointment, we keep fighting to get it right. Jennifer must do the impossible – bring her mother home. When a family is torn apart by death, two sisters take violently divergent paths and the story of their family appears to end terribly and abruptly... -
Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA fresh new YA romance novel by Kristina Forest, Zyla & Kai is an epic star-crossed love story about first love and not just the will they, won’t they— but why can’t they?While on a school trip to the Poconos Mountains (in the middle of a storm) high school seniors, Zyla Matthews and Kai Johnson, run away together leaving their friends and family confused... -
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThis brilliant, New York Times bestselling novel from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship.Long ago, best friends Bridge, Emily, and Tab made a pact: no fighting. But it's the start of seventh grade, and everything is changing...
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