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Independent book recommendations for young readers ages 0-18.

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Theme

emotional growth

Books about emotional growth for readers of all ages.

Cover of If Only

If Only

Sue Vyner

Ages 9–14familyabsence and loss

Cover of One More Step

One More Step

Sheree Fitch

Ages 8–12divorcefamily relationships

Cover of Life in the desert

Life in the desert

Tres Seymour

Ages 14–18emotional growthhigh school life

Cover of Lost soul, be at peace

Lost soul, be at peace

Maggie Thrash

Ages 12–18grief and lossself-discovery

Cover of Glumly

Glumly

Robin Klein

Ages 6–10cheerfulnessoptimism

Cover of The willow man

The willow man

Sue Purkiss

Ages 9–14familysiblings

Cover of Kiss, kiss, Pout-Pout Fish

Kiss, kiss, Pout-Pout Fish

Deborah Diesen

Ages 3–7lovefriendship

Cover of Boys don't cry

Boys don't cry

Malorie Blackman

Ages 13–18masculinityteenage parenthood

Cover of Headsparks

Headsparks

Robert Coles

Ages 12–16adolescenceself-discovery

Cover of Rush

Rush

Jonathan Friesen

Ages 12–16family conflictresilience

Cover of Reaching Dustin

Reaching Dustin

Vicki Grove

Ages 10–14friendshipbelonging

Cover of Watching the roses

Watching the roses

Adèle Geras

Ages 12–16family relationshipsemotional growth

Cover of Don't cosplay with my heart

Don't cosplay with my heart

Cecil Castellucci

Ages 13–18self-discoveryfamily relationships

Cover of Sticks and stones

Sticks and stones

Nicole C. Kear

Ages 7–11sibling relationshipskindness

Cover of Stargone John

Stargone John

Ellen Kindt McKenzie

Ages 8–12disability and inclusionteacher-student relationships

Cover of Been clever forever

Been clever forever

Bruce Stone

Ages 13–18self-discoveryemotional growth

Cover of I did it, I'm sorry

I did it, I'm sorry

Caralyn Buehner

Ages 3–7apologyresponsibility

Cover of America

America

E. R. Frank

Ages 14–18identitybelonging

Cover of Dead jealous

Dead jealous

Sharon Jones

Ages 13–18jealousyrelationships

Cover of Gruff the Grump

Gruff the Grump

Steve Smallman

Ages 3–8friendshipkindness

Cover of Saving Grace

Saving Grace

Katherine Spencer

Ages 10–15grief and losshealing

Cover of Girls in tears

Girls in tears

Jacqueline Wilson

Ages 11–16friendshipgrowing up

Cover of Meet Sophie

Meet Sophie

Nancy N. Rue

Ages 8–12friendshipimagination

Cover of "I don't care!" said the bear

"I don't care!" said the bear

Colin West

Ages 3–7friendshipkindness