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Essential Books for Kids Who Feel Left Out
15 items
By
Shannon Fryar
Books recommended by a school counselor for teens who struggle socially
Newberry Winner about outsiders finding each other.
Hello, Universe: Newbery Award Story on Bullying
The gold standard for kids who feel different.
Wonder: 0884605417889: Palacio, R. J. - Amazon.com
Verse novel; social struggles + family; huge with reluctant readers.
The Crossover: A Newbery Award Winner
Differently abled girl finding her voice; beloved in counseling.
Out of My Mind (The Out of My Mind Series)
Middle school outcasts; anti-bullying themes
The Misfits Series - Penguin Random House
Raw, real; social struggles + identity
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Graphic novel; difficulties of change; debut middle grade
A Graphic Novel (The New Girl #1)
Belonging, friendship, immigrant experience
Front Desk (Front Desk #1) (Scholastic Gold)
Gifted, quirky girl finds her people
Counting by 7s: Holly Goldberg Sloan
A girl navigating loss, friendship falling apart, and finding her way back. Deeply emotional middle grade book.
Each Little Bird That Sings: Wiles, Deborah
A biracial girl caught between two worlds; belonging and identity themes that resonate hard with middle schoolers.
Blended: Draper, Sharon M. - Books - Amazon.com
Quiet, overlooked kid finds his people through unexpected connections - understated but powerful.
Okay for Now: A National Book Award Winner
Loneliness, finding your voice, unlikely friendships - Newberry winner and a counselor's dream read.
The One and Only Ivan: A Gentle Friendship Story
A bully wakes up with no memory of who he was. Told from multiple perspectives including his victims; great for a social dynamics conversation.
Restart: Korman, Gordon - Books - Amazon.com
A kid running from a hard past who finds belonging through track. Raw, real, and hugely popular with middle schoolers who feel like outsiders.
Ghost (Track) - Jason Reynolds - Amazon.com
