Books like Share Your Smile

A warm, interactive invitation to turn your own memories and imagination into comic book magic. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Share Your Smile.

inspiring
creative
uplifting
cozy

01
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Shares:
- cozy
- warm
02
Smile
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, funny, and deeply relatable journey through the physical and social growing pains of middle school.
Feels:
- nostalgic
- empathetic
- lighthearted
03
Dork Diaries OMG! All About Me Diary
Rachel Renée Russell
A highly interactive, doodle-filled space that invites you to become the main character of your own dramatic, hilarious middle school story.
Shares:
- creative
- encouraging
- enthusiastic
- playful
04
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book
Jeff Kinney
An interactive playground of middle-school angst and deadpan humor that invites you to doodle your way through the awkwardness of growing up.
Shares:
- playful
- creative self-expression
- finding your voice
05
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Feels:
- energetic
- whimsical
- angsty-but-warm
06
How To Dork Your Diary
Rachel Renée Russell
A frantic, doodle-filled scramble through middle school drama that doubles as a creative playground for the reader.
Shares:
- playful
- creative self-expression
07
Cat Kid Comic Club
Dav Pilkey
A wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud celebration of making messy art and finding your own creative voice.
Shares:
- inspiring
- encouraging
- playful
- finding your voice
08
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
09
Wreck this journal
Keri Smith
A tactile, rule-breaking invitation to destroy your way into uninhibited creativity.
Shares:
- encouraging
- playful
10
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.
Feels:
- nostalgic
- schoolyard-tense
- emotionally turbulent
11
Kristy's Great Idea (graphic novel)
Ann M. Martin
A sunny, energetic celebration of middle-school friendship and the empowering thrill of building something from scratch with your favorite people.
Shares:
- cozy
- warm
12
On a sunbeam
Tillie Walden
A breathtakingly gorgeous, slow-burn journey through space that feels like a warm hug from a found family.
Shares:
- cozy

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