Books like Awkward

A warm, deeply relatable dive into the chaotic, anxiety-inducing, and ultimately rewarding world of middle school friendships. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Awkward.

warm
bustling
lighthearted
relatable

01
Crush
Svetlana Chmakova
A sweet, funny, and deeply relatable exploration of the butterflies and blunders that come with a first middle-school crush.
Shares:
- warm
- lighthearted
- earnest
- humorous
02
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- warm
- relatable
- earnest
- humorous
03
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- relatable
- earnest
- humorous
04
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney
A hilarious, highly visual survival guide to the everyday humiliations of middle school.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- humorous
05
Smile
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, funny, and deeply relatable journey through the physical and social growing pains of middle school.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- relatable
- earnest
- humorous
06
Courage
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply validating hug of a graphic memoir that makes the terrifying, isolating feelings of childhood anxiety feel manageable and shared.
Shares:
- warm
- relatable
- earnest
07
Nightschool
Svetlana Chmakova
A shadowy, energetic plunge into a hidden supernatural academy where magic, mystery, and teenage angst collide.
Shares:
- earnest
08
Real Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong.
Shares:
- relatable
- earnest
- anxious
09
The Clique
Lisi Harrison
A fierce, fashion-forward dive into the cutthroat social politics of an exclusive middle school.
Feels:
- gossipy
- high-stakes
- fashion-obsessed
10
New Kid
Jerry Craft
A warm, funny, and sharply observant graphic novel about the awkward, everyday tightrope walk of middle school and code-switching.
Shares:
- warm
- relatable
- earnest
- humorous
11
Nightschool volume 1
Svetlana Chamkova
A shadowy, supernatural coming-of-age tale where high school drama meets dark magical forces.
Shares:
- earnest
12
Kimi Ni Todoke From Me To You
Karuho Shiina
A tender, sun-drenched exploration of a misunderstood girl stepping out of the shadows and into the warmth of genuine connection.
Shares:
- earnest
- humorous
- empathetic

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