Books like 'The Beautiful Something Else'
Readers who enjoyed The Beautiful Something Else by Ash Van Otterloo also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary fantasy trans-mc lgbtq realistic children non-binary-mc friendship family coming-of-age
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The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsSchool is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary... -
![Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes]()
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 49 ratingsWritten and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round.Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age family friendship realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism -
![October, October by Katya Balen]()
October, October by Katya Balen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA classic in the making for anyone who ever longed to be WILD.October and her dad live in the woods. They sleep in the house Dad built for them and eat the food they grow in the vegetable patches. They know the trees and the rocks and the lake and stars like best friends. They read the books they buy in town again and again until the pages are soft and yellow - until next year's town visit... -
![Owen by Kevin Henkes]()
Owen by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratings“Fuzzy goes where I go.”Owen’s fuzzy yellow blanket is his favorite possession. Everywhere Owen goes, his blanket goes with him. Upstairs, downstairs, in-between. Inside, outside, upside down. Everywhere! Owen’s parents are in despair—soon Owen will begin school, and he can’t take Fuzzy with him then... -
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![Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers]()
Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWith his bowl to himself, Goldfish loves his life...until one day... A personal account from a goldfish on life in his bowl as other intruders crowd him...Categorized as:
children family friendship animals anthropomorphism book children-books contemporary -
![If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Joffe Numeroff]()
If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 26 ratings"If you give a pig a party, she's going to ask for some balloons..." If you give a pig a party, she's going to ask for some balloons. When you give her the balloons, she'll want to decorate the house. When she's finished, she'll put on her favorite dress. Then she'll call all her friends—Mouse, Moose, and more... -
![Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake]()
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA novel about a girl navigating grief, trauma, and friendship.Hazel Bly used to live in the perfect house with the perfect family in sunny California. But when a kayaking trip goes horribly wrong, Mum is suddenly gone forever and Hazel is left with crippling anxiety and a jagged scar on her face. After Mum's death, Hazel, her other mother, Mama, and her little sister, Peach, needed a fresh start... -
![13 Gifts by Wendy Mass]()
13 Gifts by Wendy Mass
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWendy Mass turns to another magical birthday: 13!When Tara, a self-proclaimed shrinking violet, steals the school mascot, a goat, in order to make some friends with the popular crowd and gets caught, she gets herself in a heap of trouble... -
![Proud by Juno Dawson, Dean Atta]()
Proud by Juno Dawson, Dean Atta
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Compiled by Juno Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN.A celebration of LGBTQ+ talent, PROUD is a thought-provoking, funny, emotional read...Categorized as:
coming-of-age friendship lgbtq non-binary-mc trans-mc anthologies bisexuality contemporary -
![Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin]()
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThis is the diary . . . of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not that different from you or me: He lives with his parents, plays with his friends, and even goes to school. But unlike you or me, he never has to take a bath, he gets to eat his homework, and because he doesn't have legs, he just can't do the hokey pokey -- no matter how hard he tries. Oh, and his head looks a lot like his rear end... -
![Surprises According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney]()
Surprises According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBeing a classroom hamster means having to be ready for anything?but suddenly there are a lot of big surprises in Humphrey's world. Some are exciting, like seeing the playground during a fire drill and getting to roll around in a hamster ball... -
![The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate]()
The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsRuby’s story picks up a few months after the events of The One and Only Bob. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, Ruby’s caretaker from the elephant orphanage in Africa where she grew up is visiting. Seeing him again brings back a flood of memories - both happy and sad - of her life before the circus, and she recounts the time she spent in the African savannah to Ivan and Bob... -
![A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker]()
A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsCheery persistence wears down a curmudgeonly bear in a wry comedy of manners that ends in a most unlikely friendship.Bear is quite sure he doesn't like visitors. He even has a sign. So when a mouse taps on his door one day, Bear tells him to leave. But when Bear goes to the cupboard to get a bowl, there is the mouse -- small and gray and bright-eyed...Categorized as:
children family friendship animals anthropomorphism book children-books contemporary -
![The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery, Laura Catalan]()
The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery, Laura Catalan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA heartwarming story about family, friendship and finding your inner fire.Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he's made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier.Because Cadno isn't just any fox: he's a firefox - the only one of his kind - and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail... -
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![Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes]()
Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsThe riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester's Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting -- if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world."Julius is the baby of the world," said his parents. But Lilly, his older sister, disagreed... -
![Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole]()
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.I'm starting to realizethat a woman doesn't get that madso mad that her hair turns to snakesso mad that her rage turns blood to boulderall on her own...Categorized as:
lgbtq realistic coming-of-age friendship family young-adult contemporary mental-illness -
![Witch Hazel by Molly Idle]()
Witch Hazel by Molly Idle
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSomething magical happens when Hazel and Hilda are together. As the seasons pass, Hazel’s broom whisks the dust off many years of joyful memories, and young Hilda watches them come to life. But is it magic making memories..Categorized as:
family children coming-of-age friendship children-books death fantasy witches-wizards -
![The Second Story by Neil Patrick Harris]()
The Second Story by Neil Patrick Harris
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsGrowing up in an orphanage, Leila was bullied for being different. But she turned her hardship into skill by becoming an escape artist—a valuable trait when belonging to a group of magical best friends. When a famous psychic comes to town, however, Leila and her pals won't be able to escape the big mystery heading their way... -
![Witch Baby by Francesca Lia Block]()
Witch Baby by Francesca Lia Block
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe family that took her in called her Witch Baby and raised her as their own. But even though she tried to fit in, Witch Baby never felt as though she truly belonged. So one day she packed her bat-shaped backpack, put on her black cowboy-boot roller skates, and went out into the world to find out who she really was.. -
![The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums by Trenton Lee Stewart, Diana Sudyka]()
The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums by Trenton Lee Stewart, Diana Sudyka
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThis exclusive companion book to the bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society series is a mind-bending collection that will put YOU to the test! With full-color artwork throughout, this companion features ingenious new puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers compiled by Mr. Benedict himself, with the help of Reynie, Kate, Sticky, Constance, and other Society associates...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic action-adventure book children-books contemporary fiction -
![Graceful by Wendy Mass]()
Graceful by Wendy Mass
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAngelina D'Angelo has left town to see the world. It's now Grace's turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing—it doesn't always behave the way you'd expect it to... -
![The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart]()
The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAn extraordinary story about a family of runaways who take up residence in a small town, and the outcast boy who finds his voice and his people.In the dead of night, a truck arrives in Slaughterville, a small town curiously named after its windowless slaughterhouse... -
![Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes]()
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsThe irrepressible mouse heroine of Chester's Way and Julius, the Baby of the World returns for another true-to-life and very funny episode. Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, Mr. Slinger--until he takes away her musical purse because she can't stop playing with it in class. Lilly decides to get revenge with a nasty drawing of "Big Fat Mean Mr...Categorized as:
children family friendship realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Friendship According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney]()
Friendship According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsAfter the holidays, Humphrey is shocked by a big surprise in Room 26-a new class pet! Humphrey tries to be welcoming, but Og the frog doesn't respond to any of his friendly squeaks or visits (remember, he has a lock-that-doesn't-lock). Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic animals anthropomorphism book children-books contemporary -
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![Wild Child by Lynn Plourde]()
Wild Child by Lynn Plourde
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Time for bed," Mother Earth said."Not for a while,"said her wild child."A song, first. to play in my headbefore going to bed."So Mother Earthgave her child a song...."But then this wild child wants a snack and PJs and a kiss....Lynn Plourde's text snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall as Mother Earth gently gets her daughter ready for bed... -
![Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato]()
Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPerfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Raina Telgemeier, and Jessica Kim, a heartfelt coming-of-age middle grade novel about finding your voice and believing in your best geeky self.Riley Henderson has never taken a bus to school in her entire life. Or made an afterschool snack, or finished her homework on her own, or—ewww—done her own laundry. That’s what her older brother Devin was for...Categorized as:
family realistic coming-of-age friendship children middle-grade fiction contemporary -
![Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans]()
Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsEver since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire.Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs... -
![Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans]()
Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsMurder most fowl? In this sardonic and campy YA thriller, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself solving a murder mystery with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group . . . and trying not to get murdered... -
![さみしかった本 by Kate Bernheimer, ケイト バーンハイマー]()
さみしかった本 by Kate Bernheimer, ケイト バーンハイマー
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen a wonderful new book arrives at the library, at first it is loved by all, checked out constantly, and rarely spends a night on the library shelf. But over time it grows old and worn, and the children lose interest in its story. The book is sent to the library's basement where the other faded books live... -
![The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard]()
The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGriffin Silk is an uncommon sort of boy, from an uncommon sort of family. The warm, loving home he shares with his father, grandmother and five big sisters (The Rainbow Girls) is marked by the aching absence of his mother and baby sister. Where have they gone and will they be coming home again? When Griffin starts school and meets Princess Layla the answers to his questions gently start to unfold... -
![The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor]()
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAn Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction Nominee“Look no further for your next favorite read, because The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester has it a gripping murder mystery that will keep you turning pages, ghosts, romance, and a treasure trove of queer characters with depth and heart. Here’s something rare—a suspenseful story that also feels like a hug... -
![New Beginnings by Victoria E. Schwab]()
New Beginnings by Victoria E. Schwab
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMeet a guardian angel like no other, from a writer like no other. Bold rising star, Victoria Schwab, makes her whimsical, inspiring, and clever middle-grade debut.At a first glance, Aria seems like your average twelve-year-old girl. She has coppery hair, colored shoelaces, and a passion for cupcakes. But there's more to Aria than meets the eye... -
![Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff]()
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA haunting ghost story about navigating grief, growing up, and growing into a new gender identityIt's the summer before middle school and eleven-year-old Bug's best friend Moira has decided the two of them need to use the next few months to prepare... -
![Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London]()
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFroggy's mother knows that everyone's nervous on the first day of school. "Not me!" says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop -- flop flop flop. Froggy's exuberant antics, complete with sound effects, will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun."This is a great read-aloud with sounds and words that encourage active participation... -
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![I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black, Debbie Ridpath Ohi]()
I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black, Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThere is NOTHING boring about being a kid, but one little girl is going to have to prove it in this anything-but-boring picture book from comedian Michael Ian Black.Just when a little girl thinks she couldn't possibly be more bored, she stumbles upon a potato who turns the tables on her by declaring that children are boring... -
![Scumble by Ingrid Law]()
Scumble by Ingrid Law
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsNine years after Mibs's Savvy journey, her cousin Ledge has just turned thirteen . . . But Ledger Kale's savvy is a total dud-all he does is make little things fall apart. So his parents decide it's safe to head to Wyoming, where it's soon revealed that Ledge's savvy is much more powerful than anyone thought... -
![de wereld volgens Bertje by Betty G. Birney]()
de wereld volgens Bertje by Betty G. Birney
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe story of everyone's favorite classroom pet is now available in Spanish! You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true! In addition to his classroom escapades, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh...Categorized as:
children family friendship realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Julie and the Phantoms: Whatever Happens by Candace Buford]()
Julie and the Phantoms: Whatever Happens by Candace Buford
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJulie and the Phantoms' adventures continue in this original novel based on the hit Netflix show from Descendants director Kenny Ortega!Julie Molina is about to make it big with her band, Julie and the Phantoms. There's only one catch: All her bandmates are ghosts... -
![The Glitter Trap by Barbara Brauner, James Iver Mattson]()
The Glitter Trap by Barbara Brauner, James Iver Mattson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMiddle school is far from a fairytale for adorkable misfit Lacey Unger-Ware. When Lacey ends up with popular girl Paige Harrington's smart-mouthed fairy godmother, Katarina, trapped in her hair, life gets more magical--just not in a 'prince charming' kind of way. Katarina's wings are too damaged to continue her fairy duties, and Lacey must take over as Paige's fairy godmother... -
![Better You Than Me by Jessica Brody]()
Better You Than Me by Jessica Brody
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt's Freaky Friday meets Hannah Montana when two twelve-year-old girls--one a famous TV star, the other an obsessive fan--switch bodies with hilarious and disastrous results.Ruby Rivera is a twelve-year-old superstar with millions of followers. Skylar Welshman is a seventh grader who wants to be cool--and she's Ruby's biggest fan... -
![The Infinity Year of Avalon James by Dana Middleton]()
The Infinity Year of Avalon James by Dana Middleton
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAvalon James and Atticus Brightwell have a secret--one that they aren't allowed to discuss with anyone. This secret is shared between two best friends. When you and your best friend turn ten years old magical things are said to happen. You both will receive some kind of magical power. It can be a power you can call on time and time again. Or it can be a power that comes once when you need it most... -
![Secret Billionaire Omega by Harper B. Cole]()
Secret Billionaire Omega by Harper B. Cole
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMarcus just wants someone who will love him for him. It's hard to find someone who doesn't have an angle. Having grown up as the son of wealth, it had been hard to find friends who didn't want to use him. He could only trust his brother. But ten years ago, Marcus realized he couldn't trust anyone when his parents tried to sell him off to the highest bidder, and his brother supported them... -
![The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan]()
The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsA warm and loving story about how a non-binary person comes to understand and accept themselves by an award-winning queer author. Every morning, when Annie’s moms open up their bookshop, there’s a pile of books on the counter, waiting for the right reader to come and find them. But one day, there’s a book nobody comes for... -
![Rain Forest Rose by Terri Farley]()
Rain Forest Rose by Terri Farley
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDarby wants to visit her great-grandmother, a mysterious healer who lives in the middle of the rain forest. But she's afraid of the dark woods until she sees a beautiful, elusive pink roan mustang roaming the forest.When Darby finally braves the forest and meets her new neighbors, she uncovers a secret tragedy one that led to a terrible fight between her two best friends... -
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![Four Clues for Rani by Catherine R. Daly]()
Four Clues for Rani by Catherine R. Daly
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFor two weeks, Pixie Hollow has been in a terrible dry spell. Everyone is frazzled, especially Rani and the other water-talent fairies. When the dry spell finally ends, Queen Clarion decides it's time for a treat—a fairy treasure hunt! But on the day of the treasure hunt, Rani wakes up late. Her friends all have partners already, so Rani is stuck with the slowest-moving sparrow man around... -
![Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris, Shelly and Brown]()
Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris, Shelly and Brown
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do.While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age family friendship realistic animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Franklin and the Tooth Fairy by Paulette Bourgeois]()
Franklin and the Tooth Fairy by Paulette Bourgeois
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn this Franklin Classic Storybook, our hero discovers that, unlike most of his friends, he doesn't have teeth, and worries that he's missing out on the Tooth Fairy's magical visits... -
![Call Me Alastair by Cory Leonardo]()
Call Me Alastair by Cory Leonardo
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA funny, heart-shattering novel about a fierce parrot,a big-hearted boy and a spirited elderly widow, all learning tolive fully-fledged lives.Born in the back of a pet store, Alastair the African grey parrotdreamsof escape, to fly off with his beloved sister, Aggie...Categorized as:
children family friendship realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden]()
The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 11 ratings“Making an auspicious entry into children’s books, Laden provides a stylish, droll answer to the riddle of what dogs do while their owners sleep.” —Publishers Weekly“I have a dog. Nothing exotic or special, just an ordinary dog.” Or so this little boy thinks—until one morning, when he opens the door a little early and sees his dog jump out of a limousine...Categorized as:
children family friendship action-adventure animals book children-books contemporary -
![Thank You Bear by Greg Foley]()
Thank You Bear by Greg Foley
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEarly one morning, a little bear found a little box. He looked inside. Then he exclaimed,"Why, it's the greatest thing ever! Mouse will love this."Bear's friends aren't so sure of his newfound treasure, however. "That's not so great," says Monkey. "I've seen those before," says Owl. And by the time Bear finds Mouse, his own doubts have grown...
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