When looking for something new to read, kids and grown-ups alike may gravitate toward the classics. This makes sense: Classic and popular literature are often easy to find, recommended by others, or simply the only recognizable item on the library shelf. After you’re finished reading the classic, however, what should you turn to next? And what about the readers who are uninterested in classic or popular literature all together? This month’s S-Collection blog is designed for readers in this exact predicament. After briefly introducing a well-known book by a popular author, a recommendation is provided for a more recent and perhaps lesser-known book with a similar topic, theme, and/or style. The first set of recommendations focuses on read-alikes for classic picture books, while the second moves on to books for slightly older readers. The S-Collection has what you need to read beyond the classics this August!
PICTURE BOOKS
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Silverstein, Shel
The Giving Tree. 1964. Picture Book.
This classic picture book follows a boy and a tree throughout their lives. The tree never hesitates to give the boy what he needs, even if it is from her own branches and leaves. Eventually, she is reduced to a stump that the boy, now an old man, can sit on.
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Mora, Oge
Thank You, Omu! 2018. Picture Book.
For another book about the satisfaction one can find in sharing, check out this sweet story about Grandma Omu and her famous stew. As she cooks it one night in her home, she hears a knock at the door. It is a little boy who smelled her delicious dinner through the window, and Omu can’t help but give him a bowl. Soon, many members of Omu’s community are knocking at the door, wondering if they could get a taste. Omu denies no one, and by suppertime, there is no stew left for her. While the boy in The Giving Tree at times does not appear to be grateful for all the tree does for him, Omu’s community is different: They thank her with a potluck and notes of gratitude by the end of the night.
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If you like…
Dr. Seuss
The Lorax. 1971. Picture Book.
This book highlights the importance of taking care of the Earth by telling the story of the Once-ler, whose efforts to create a successful business resulted in total environmental destruction.
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Becker, Aaron
The Last Zookeeper. 2024. Picture Book.
While the use of words stands out in The Lorax, it is the lack of words that makes The Last Zookeeper such an interesting read. Through beautiful and detailed pictures, readers are immersed in a dystopian world wherein the ocean waters have risen and destroyed most life on Earth. A kind and gentle robot, however, has made it their mission to save the zoo animals under their care. Using the wreckage around them, the robot creates a massive ark capable of carrying the animals to safety. Clear environmental messages and lovable nonhuman characters shine throughout, making this a solid choice for The Lorax lovers.
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If you like…
Bemelmans, Ludwig
Madeline. 1939. Picture Book.
In this classic picture book, first in the eponymous series, readers are introduced to Madeline, a feisty seven-year-old girl living at a boarding school in Paris.
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Zhang, Kat
The Amy Wu series. 2019-2024. Picture Book.
Lovers of spirited heroines like Madeline are sure to enjoy the adventures of Amy Wu. In her debut, Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao (2019), readers watch as she struggles to make bao as lovely and delicious as her family’s. Amy’s tenacity leads her to a discovery: Using smaller bits of dough – “Amy-sized,” in fact – is the key. The book ends with a bao dough recipe for readers who want to try and cook alongside Amy. Other books in the series see Amy tackle arts and crafts, dumpling parties, dancing, and festivals, maintaining her cheerful, spunky attitude throughout.
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If you like…
Sendak, Maurice
Where the Wild Things Are. 1963. Picture Book.
The mischievous Max escapes his bedroom and travels to the land of the Wild Things in this popular picture book.
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Kane, Karen
Monster Hands. 2024. Picture Book.
If you’re looking for another book about unruly monsters to follow Where the Wild Things Are, try this story about two boys battling the monsters under their bed. Milo made the mistake of reading a scary book before turning off the lights, and he’s simply too scared to sleep. Luckily, his friend Mel lives just next door and their bedroom windows face each other. The pair communicates with American Sign Language (ASL), and Mel shows Milo how they can create “monster hands” – spooky hand-shadow puppets with teeth – to scare the monsters away. Readers will see clear comparisons between Milo, Mel, and Max, and will love watching these boys conquer their nighttime fears.
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JUVENILE FICTION
If you like…
Cleary, Beverly
Beezus and Ramona. 1955. Juvenile Fiction.
This book is first in the award-winning Ramona Quimby series. Readers are introduced to the high-spirited Ramona and her older sister “Beezus” as they deal with friends, family, and school.
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Yang, Kelly
The Front Desk series. 2018-2023. Juvenile Fiction.
It’s the 90s, and Mia Tang and her family are recent immigrants to the United States from China. The first in the series, Front Desk (2018), introduces readers to Mia and the motel her family works at, as well as the colorful characters who call it home. As the series continues, Mia navigates American prejudice, attends a new school, fights for what is right, and discovers a passion for journalism. Mia, like Ramona, takes on life with endless perseverance and a can-do attitude that is sure to draw in fans of Cleary’s classic series.
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If you like…
Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. 1997. Juvenile Fiction.
This incredibly popular book is the first in the Harry Potter series. The series follows Harry and his classmates Ron and Hermione as they learn magic at a wizarding academy.
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Messenger, Shannon
The Keeper of the Lost Cities series. 2012-2024. Juvenile Fiction.
Much like Harry learning he is a wizard, twelve-year-old Sophie learns she is an elf in the eponymous first book of this long-running middle grade series. With this revelation comes the news that Sophie needs to move away from her family in California and into the Lost Cities, a fantasy realm full of magical creatures like herself. Also like Harry, Sophie must begin attending the magical academy Foxfire to hone her skills and learn how to fight the Neverseen, a group of evil criminals. Fans of magic and mystery will be enchanted by this sweeping fantasy series.
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If you like…
Dahl, Roald
Matilda. 1988. Juvenile Fiction.
Book-loving child genius Matilda discovers she has telekinetic powers in this classic Roald Dahl novel.
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Stewart, Trenton Lee
The Mysterious Benedict Society series. 2007-2011. Juvenile Fiction.
For other books about quirky and clever kids, check out this beloved series from author Trenton Lee Stewart. In book one, Reynie and his companions Constance, Kate, and Sticky all complete a series of bizarre tests to be inducted into the Mysterious Benedict Society. Their task is to combat the evil “Sender,” a villainous figure with plans to brainwash the world. To do so, the characters must go undercover at a school for criminals. Their adventures continue in multiple sequels, one of which delves deep into the past of the Society’s founder, the titular Mr. Benedict. The witty style and use of wordplay is sure to appeal to fans of Roald Dahl’s writing style, as well as the well-developed and eccentric characters.
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If you like…
Keene, Carolyn
Nancy Drew and the Secret of the Old Clock. 1959. Juvenile Fiction.
This first installment of the classic Nancy Drew series introduces the young sleuth Nancy as she investigates a mystery in her town.
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Johnson, Varian
The Parker Inheritance. 2018. Juvenile Fiction.
A more modern take on the classic kid-detective model, The Parker Inheritance is set in a small South Carolina town with a history of racial tension. Main character Candice’s grandmother used to live there, and, years ago, her choice to have the tennis courts dug up caused her to lose her job as the town’s first African American city manager. In the attic of her old house, however, Candice finds a mysterious letter indicating that a buried treasure exists somewhere nearby, perhaps explaining her grandmother’s choice made years prior. Candice befriends local kids to help solve the mystery, ultimately shedding a light on the presence of racism in America. Nancy Drew fans will enjoy the intricate puzzle, which is blended in seamlessly with details and insights from the past, in this fast-paced middle grade mystery.
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