Books like Don't Call Me Ishmael!

A hilarious and heartfelt survival guide to the mortifying ordeal of being known in middle school. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Don't Call Me Ishmael!.

awkward
warm
lighthearted
triumphant

01
NERDS
Michael Buckley
A high-energy, gadget-filled romp where schoolyard outcasts transform into world-saving secret agents.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- humorous
02
Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass
Meg Medina
A tense, deeply empathetic exploration of how the looming threat of high school violence can shrink your world, and what it takes to expand it again.
Shares:
- earnest
03
Ratburger
David Walliams
A delightfully grotesque and cheeky underdog story where the adults are awful, the humor is delightfully gross, and the heart shines through the grime.
Feels:
- zany
- chaotic
- gross-out
04
How I survived bullies, broccoli and Snake Hill
James Patterson
A hilarious, high-energy romp through the chaotic, prank-filled battleground of middle school summer camp.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- self-deprecating
- humorous
05
The Bully
Paul Langan
A tense, highly relatable high school drama about finding the courage to stand your ground when you feel completely alone.
Shares:
- earnest
06
The Schwa was here
Neal Shusterman · 2004
A grounded, empathetic exploration of what it means to feel invisible and the quiet power of finally being seen by a friend.
Shares:
- warm
- wry
07
Ungifted
Gordon Korman
A hilarious, high-energy collision of chaos and intellect that proves there is more than one way to be smart.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- wry
- humorous
08
Mrs. Kormel Is Not Normal!
Dan Gutman
A high-energy, laugh-out-loud ride where the adults are weirder than the kids and everyday routines turn into absurd adventures.
Shares:
- lighthearted
09
Just My Rotten Luck
James Patterson
A hilarious, doodle-filled survival guide to the chaotic, awkward, and surprisingly triumphant battleground of middle school.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- triumphant
- self-deprecating
- humorous
10
The Wednesday Wars
Gary D. Schmidt
A funny, tender, and deeply observant journey through a 1960s school year, where Shakespearean drama meets the very real turmoil of growing up.
Shares:
- warm
- wry
- earnest
- humorous
11
Michael
Tony Bradman · 1991
A gentle, encouraging exploration of what it means to march to the beat of your own drum in a world of rigid expectations.
Shares:
- earnest
12
The Thing About Georgie
Lisa Graff · 2007
A warm, observational middle-grade journey about navigating school projects, changing families, and figuring out what makes you uniquely you.
Shares:
- warm
- lighthearted
- wry
- earnest

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