Books like 'What If...'
Readers who enjoyed What If... by Samantha Berger also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
action / adventure children poc-mc realistic family female-mc
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Saturday by Oge Mora
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn this warm and tender story by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Thank You, Omu!, join a mother and daughter on an up-and-down journey that reminds them of what's best about Saturdays: precious time together. Today would be special. Today would be splendid. It was Saturday! But sometimes, the best plans don't work out exactly the way you expect... -
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsScientist Ada has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose? Why are there hairs growing inside your nose? When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source... -
Iggy Peck, Architect by David Roberts, Andrea Beaty
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA hilarious, irreverent book about doing your own thing Meet Iggy Peck—creative, independent, and not afraid to express himself! In the spirit of David Shannon’s No, David and Rosemary Wells’s Noisy Nora, Iggy Peck will delight readers looking for irreverent, inspired fun. Iggy has one passion: building...Categorized as:
children family realistic action-adventure book children-books classics female-author -
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsMolly Lou Melon is different, but this doesn't slow her down... -
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Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA reflection on immigration, family, and home.Wishes tells the honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting impact that makes on the littlest member of the family. Inspired by actual events in the author's life... -
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal, Adriana Sananes
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIn which the protagonist asks her father about the long name he gave her... -
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... -
Lesson Learned by Earl Sewell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhoever said "family comes first" never met Keysha's mom, Justine. Fresh out of jail, Justine wants to reconnect with her daughter—despite abandoning her to a father she hardly knew. Keysha is sure Justine's troubled past is going to play havoc with her own present and future... -
All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA picture book celebration of love by the Newbery Medal–winning author, Patricia MacLachlan, with luminous paintings by Mike Wimmer. Within the sanctuary of a loving family, baby Eli is born and, as he grows, learns to cherish the people and places around him, eventually passing on what he has discovered to his new baby sister, Sylvie: “All the places to love are here . . -
Hike by Pete Oswald
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsTake to the trails for a celebration of nature—and a day spent with dad.In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest... -
If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIf I built a car, it'd be totally new!Here are a few of the things that I'd do. . . .Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. There's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur... -
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her.But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there... -
The Shadow Children, the Complete Series: Among the Hidden; Among the Impostors; Among the Betrayed; Among the Barons; Among the Brave; Among the Enemy; Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo be a third child is to be in constant danger. Available for the first time, a boxed set of all seven books in the perennially popular Shadow Children series. Imagine a world where families are allowed only two children. Illegal third children—shadow children—must live in hiding. If they are discovered, there is only one punishment: Death... -
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsAn international bestseller: Grace learns that she can be anything she wants... -
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16 on the Block by Babygirl Daniels
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA girl's sixteenth birthday is supposed to be sweet, but for Summer Flynt, it was the day that her life changed forever. Young, fly, and beautiful, Summer is under the wing of her older sister, Trish. But when Trish steals something that doesn't belong to her and gets involved in a lifestyle she can't handle, she pays with her life... -
Key Player by Kelly Yang
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMia Tang is going for the goal in the fourth Front Desk novel by New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang! The Women’s World Cup coming to Southern California, everyone is soccer-crazy -- especially Mia Tang! The U.S. is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. Less exciting, though? The fact that her P.E... -
Madeline and the Bad Hat by Ludwig Bemelmans
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe Spanish Ambassador has moved next door, and Madeline knows right away that his son, Pepito, is bad news... -
Best Laid Plans by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLove wasn’t supposed to be a part of the deal…Even a famed matchmaker like Nolan Madaris’s great-grandmother can’t get it right every time. Nolan, the notorious fun-loving ladies’ man, could never connect with someone as straitlaced as tech whiz Ivy Chapman. Yet the scheme Ivy proposes is tempting—they can pretend to be a couple, just long enough to satisfy their families... -
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsInspired by various experiences from his childhood, Jim LaMarche, beloved illustrator of A Story for Bear and The Elves and the Shoemaker, brings this touching story about one boy's unexpected summer as a river rat to life with his bold, picturesque paintings.Nicky isn't one bit happy about spending the summer with his grandma in the Wisconsin woods; he'd much rather be back in the city... -
Alfie: by Thyra Heder
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birthday, when Alfie disappears! Then, in an innovative switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend... -
Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe Mother-Daughter Book Club goes to summer camp in this seventh and final installment of the Mother-Daughter Book Club series!After so many summers together, Emma, Jess, Megan, Becca, and Cassidy are reunited for one final hurrah before they go their separate ways... -
The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, Bagram Ibatoulline
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratings"Pick whatever you like most. Then I’ll tell you its story." When a little girl visits her great-grandfather at his curio-filled home, she chooses an unusual object to learn about: an old cigar box. What she finds inside surprises her: a collection of matchboxes making up her great-grandfather’s diary, harboring objects she can hold in her hand, each one evoking a memory... -
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe sky’s no limit as the author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish winds up his Creatrilogy with a whimsical tale about seeing the world a new way.Marisol loves to paint... -
Baseball Great by Tim Green
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFrom New York Times bestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green comes a baseball book pulsing with action. Baseball Great offers a baseball story attuned to today’s headlines, a totally involving, character-driven, sports-centered thriller. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica. As a young reviewer on Brightly... -
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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... -
Football Hero Unabridged Da by Tim Green
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsTy Lewis is elated when the school coach recruits him for the football team. Unfortunately, Ty's Uncle Gus his guardian since the death of Ty's parents insists the boy has no time for sports. He has to earn his keep by scrubbing toilets for Gus's cleaning service... -
Recollection by Shienny M.S.
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Karena kamu tahu siapa aku yang sesungguhnya, bahkan di saat aku meragukan diriku sendiri."Saat berburu, Elya menemukan seorang pemuda sekarat di antara jasad prajurit Legiun Falthemnar dan membawanya pulang untuk dirawat. Karena pemuda itu tak ingat jati diri atau bahkan namanya sendiri, Elya memanggilnya Lucca, yang artinya anak hilang... -
The Sheikh's Marriage Bargain by Leslie North
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLaila Tindall is only in Raihan to hone her pottery skills and visit her ailing grandfather. Marriage was never in the picture. But when her grandfather is tricked into signing a binding marriage contract to a man she finds repugnant, she has one choice: Run away... -
The Sheikh’s Fake Engagement by Leslie North
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHamid Al-Qasha has been a stickler for his country’s traditions ever since his father the king died when Hamid was just sixteen. But even he’s thrown when a merchant insists on paying a debt by invoking an ancient law allowing him to use his lovely daughter Talitha as collateral... -
Phantom by Harley Wylde
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCharisma -- My mother died when I was a teen. My dad had never been in the picture, and I ended up in the system. When the high school quarterback took advantage, no one believed me. Then I landed in true hell… my foster mom was a monster who preyed on the children in her home. When I aged out of the system, I stayed in the hopes I could save the boys who were assigned to live with her... -
Samurai by Harley Wylde
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGrey -- Desperate times call for desperate measures, otherwise I’d never have signed a contract with Knox’s Pleasure Emporium. Selling myself for a few hours once is far better than my other option -- letting my mother’s loan shark use me however he sees fit in order to recoup his money. I can’t even be angry with Mom since she’s no longer with us... -
Show Me What You Got by Weston Parker
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe’s hot, rash, and rude. Oh, and stupidly rich.Just my kind of alpha a-hole. Not!Never in a million years did I expect to find a devious mixture of love and lust overseas. I’m an American girl, living in Australia to help my sick momma. And she’s not getting any better. If nothing else, Mister McHottie is a great distraction... -
Fiona's Lace by Patricia Polacco
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn Irish family stays together with the help of Fiona’s talent for making one-of-a-kind lace in this heartwarming immigration story from the New York Times bestselling creator of The Keeping Quilt.Many years ago, times were hard in all of Ireland, so when passage to America becomes available, Fiona and her family travel to Chicago...Categorized as:
family children poc-mc realistic historical-fiction children-books historical fiction -
A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTwo young girls not only witness but help to change history in this inspiring and urgent Civil Rights-era picture book by three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Angela Johnson.There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice...Categorized as:
realistic poc-mc children family historical-fiction children-books historical social-commentary -
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The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, Sonia Sanchez
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year* "The Little Red Hen gets an appealing girl-power update...Young makers of all genders will be inspired." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred reviewRuby's mind is always full of ideas.One day, she finds some old boards and decides to build something... -
Magic Trap by Jacqueline Davies
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsJessie and Evan Treski have waged a lemonade war, sought justice in a class trial, unmasked a bell thief, and stood at opposite ends over the right to keep secrets. Now they are creating a magic show--a professional magic show, in their own backyard! They practice, they study, and they practice some more... -
Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, Sophie Blackall
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsRuby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family...Categorized as:
family realistic poc-mc children female-mc historical-fiction children-books fiction -
How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA New York Times bestselling picture book -- from the creators of the hilarious HOW TO... series -- about a child spending time with his grandpa...Categorized as:
children family realistic action-adventure book children-books female-author fiction -
Brave Irene by William Steig
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"Brave Irene" is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker's daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that's brewing-- quite an errand for a little girl... -
Chopsticks (Hyperion Picture Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Scott Magoon
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMeet Chopsticks! They've been best friends forever. But one day, this inseparable pair comes to a fork in the road. And for the very first time, they have to figure out how to function apart. From New York Times best-selling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and rising artistic talent Scott Magoon, this witty and inventive tale celebrates both independence and the unbreakable bonds of friendship... -
Unbound: A Novel in Verse by Ann E. Burg, Bahni Turpin
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFrom the award-winning author of All the Broken Pieces and Serafina's Promise comes a new novel-in-verse that is a gripping, transcendent story about a little-known piece of slave history. The day Grace is called from the slave cabins to work in the Big House, Mama makes her promise to keep her eyes down... -
Judy Moody Goes to College by Megan McDonald, Peter H. Reynolds
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe eighth installment in the popular and best-selling series starring independent-minded third-grader, Judy Moody. The need for a math tutor leads to Judy getting a taste of college life... -
Today I Feel Silly Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, authors of I’m Gonna Like Me and Where Do Balloons Go?, Today I Feel Silly helps children understand and appreciate their shifting moods... -
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... -
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Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt by Rhiannon Williams
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn the most thrilling fantasy of the year, a young girl must pretend to be a boy to rescue her brother from a secret order of monster hunters. Ottilie Colter and her brother, Gully, have always fended for themselves. So when Gully goes missing one night, Ottilie sets out to find him – and soon makes a horrible discovery... -
Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA middle grade debut by author, Erin Bow, about a young girl who defies her family’s expectations in order to save her brother and become an eagle hunter. It goes against all tradition for Aisulu to train an eagle, for among the Kazakh nomads, only men can fly them... -
The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAmbassador, you are go for launch in T- minus 5…4…3…2…. Get ready to blast off with this high-action, high-stakes middle grade adventure that’s perfect for fans of Chris Grabenstein and Peter Lerangis!Miranda Regent can’t believe she was just chosen as one of six kids from around the world to train for the first ever mission to Mars... -
The Sheikh's Tempting Nanny by Leslie North
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn hopes of proving to his oldest brother he can do something responsible, playboy Sheikh Imran Khalid volunteers to find a suitable nanny for his niece and nephew. He’s a bit ashamed of how he’s wasted his life so far, with too much time spent partying, and is rather desperate to improve his image—especially to his brothers. American Sarah Jenner might just be the answer he’s looking for... -
The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll): A Picture Book by Winsome Bingham
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and E.B. Lewis, The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll) is a powerful, full-color picture book story celebrating a journey crucial to our the walk to vote—a perfect read aloud.My granny is taking me on THE WALK.“Because leaders are not born,” she says. “They’re made through molding and modeling.”“What’s the walk?” I ask.“You’ll see... -
Summer Is Here by Renée Watson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNew York Times bestselling creators Renée Watson and Bea Jackson offer a picture book ode to a picture-perfect summer day, from sunrise to sunset.Summer is here!No dark clouds in the sky,it's a perfect day for play.What joy will summer bring me today?Summer is finally here, and she's bringing the most perfect day! From sunup to sundown, there's so much to do on this lovely summer day...Categorized as:
family children poc-mc female-mc children-books action-adventure fiction season-summer
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