13 must-read young adult books like Between Safe and Real by Dannie M. Olguin

Cover of Between Safe and Real by Dannie M. Olguin

Between Safe and Real

By: Dannie M. Olguin

4.67

Format: 326 pages, Paperback

Fifteen-year-old Zoe Wilkes has ninety-nine problems, and a boring life ain't one. With two hungry …

If you liked the young adult plot in Between Safe and Real by Dannie M. Olguin , here is a list of 13 books like this:

Cover of No Way Home by Jody Feldman

1. No Way Home

By: Jody Feldman

3.28

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

How can you save your parents when you are an ocean away? A propulsive international thriller from … read more

Similar categories in Jody Feldman's No Way Home book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
Cover of All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2) by Olivia Dade

2. All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

By: Olivia Dade

3.86

Format: 398 pages, Paperback

Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a … read more

Similar categories in Olivia Dade's All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2) book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • contemporary
"In that moment, in his enraged concern, he’d put her first. Even above his own charity, his own professional obligations. It felt … odd. Disorienting. No one ever put her first. Not even her. Not unt…"

-Olivia Dade, All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

"Someone I know writes fanfic, and he— they want me to help proofread and give feedback on their stories. But I can’t give useful feedback unless I know what a good story looks like, so I’ve been read…"

-Olivia Dade, All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

"The Saroyan Stairs were special. Before leaving for Spain, he hadn’t anticipated sharing his late-night pilgrimages there with anyone. Not even Marcus, much as Alex loved his best friend. Lauren’s pr…"

-Olivia Dade, All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

"No, she was staring up at him, brow furrowed, perched at the edge of her chair. His Wren, poised for flight. His dear friend and protector, ready to leap between him and danger. Which she, in fact, h…"

-Olivia Dade, All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

Cover of The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

3. The Bruising of Qilwa

By: Naseem Jamnia

3.75

Format: 176 pages, Paperback

In this intricate debut fantasy introducing a queernormative Persian-inspired world, a nonbinary re… read more

Similar categories in Naseem Jamnia's The Bruising of Qilwa book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
Cover of Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone

4. Dress Coded

By: Carrie Firestone

4.17

Format: 303 pages, Hardcover

In this debut middle-grade girl-power friendship story, perfect for fans of Moxie , an eighth grade… read more

Similar categories in Carrie Firestone's Dress Coded book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
"What if, instead of seeing us as covered or uncovered body parts, you saw us as people and you learned our names?"

-Carrie Firestone, Dress Coded

Cover of Long Past Summer by Noué Kirwan

5. Long Past Summer

By: Noué Kirwan

3.55

Format: 448 pages, Paperback

It's hard to move on from a broken heart--and harder to move on from a broken friendship.Mikaela Ma… read more

Similar categories in Noué Kirwan's Long Past Summer book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • contemporary
Cover of Play Like a Girl by Misty  Wilson

6. Play Like a Girl

By: Misty Wilson

4.29

Format: 272 pages, Paperback

Debut author Misty Wilson chronicles her seventh-grade experience as the only girl on her town’s fo… read more

Similar categories in Misty Wilson's Play Like a Girl book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

"There was no way the boys were gonna keep me on the sidelines. If they could play football, so could I. I was just gonna have to sign up, too."

-Misty Wilson, Play Like a Girl

Cover of The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1) by Damyanti Biswas

7. The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1)

By: Damyanti Biswas

3.72

Format: 395 pages, Paperback

On the dark streets of Mumbai, the paths of a missing dancer, a serial killer, and an inspector wit… read more

Similar categories in Damyanti Biswas's The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1) book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
"Endings are overrated."

-Damyanti Biswas, The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1)

"We men are strange beasts. Love us and we run from you. Leave us, and you’re never far from our thoughts."

-Damyanti Biswas, The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1)

"When you close yourself off from people because they might end up hurting you, you shut out not only the hurt, but life itself. You have no control over what will happen to you, but you can choose wh…"

-Damyanti Biswas, The Blue Bar (Blue Mumbai, #1)

Cover of Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp

8. Three Strike Summer

By: Skyler Schrempp

4.32

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

Four starred reviews! A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Selection A Horn Book Magazine Be… read more

Similar categories in Skyler Schrempp's Three Strike Summer book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
Cover of Don't Let in the Cold by Keely Parrack

9. Don't Let in the Cold

By: Keely Parrack

3.37

Format: 320 pages, Paperback

The storm isn't the only thing they'll have to survive. It was supposed to be just one night in … read more

Similar categories in Keely Parrack's Don't Let in the Cold book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
Cover of Gold Mountain by Betty G. Yee

10. Gold Mountain

By: Betty G. Yee

3.81

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

Working on the Transcontinental Railroad promises a fortune—for those who survive. Growing up in… read more

Similar categories in Betty G. Yee's Gold Mountain book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
Cover of In the Shadow Garden by Liz    Parker

11. In the Shadow Garden

By: Liz Parker

3.93

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Three generations of witches must discover where their magic went wrong as secrets resurface that c… read more

Similar categories in Liz Parker's In the Shadow Garden book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • contemporary
"A monarch butterfly landed on the towel, its orange wings awash in the afternoon light. A yellow-and-black tiger swallowtail perched atop her still-damp shoulders. One with blue wings hovered over Ka…"

-Liz Parker, In the Shadow Garden

"She kissed him like that until time fell away and it was only them and the stars and the warm Kentucky night. When she finally pulled away, she found the ground around their quilt covered in butterfl…"

-Liz Parker, In the Shadow Garden

"Stalks of basil to keep the evil eye at bay. A head of broccoli to heal the body. A bunch of cilantro to mend the soul. Three tomatoes for passion in the bedroom. A cucumber to keep that passion from…"

-Liz Parker, In the Shadow Garden

"While Addison might not have any misery to offer the plants in that moment, she could help them in other ways. She pulled on her gloves and started weeding the rows of fruits and vegetables and herbs…"

-Liz Parker, In the Shadow Garden

Cover of The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

12. The Passing Playbook

By: Isaac Fitzsimons

4.13

Format: 304 pages, Hardcover

Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother and a Messi-in-training. He… read more

Similar categories in Isaac Fitzsimons's The Passing Playbook book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
"As if Spencer's thoughts were sending out a homing beacon, Justice looked over in his direction, making eye contact, and Spencer understood what Gimli saw when he gazed upon Galadriel. But, no. Just …"

-Isaac Fitzsimons, The Passing Playbook

Cover of The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora

13. The Immeasurable Depth of You

By: Maria Ingrande Mora

3.72

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

How do you face your fears when everything is terrifying? Fifteen-year-old Brynn can’t stop thin… read more

Similar categories in Maria Ingrande Mora's The Immeasurable Depth of You book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
"The water rippled around her. I hated it. It didn't make sense. Dead girls shouldn't displace water. Or cry."

-Maria Ingrande Mora, The Immeasurable Depth of You

"It's not my fault you didn't think any of it was weird. Who lives in the mangroves? In a bathing suit?" "Why would I think you were dead?" I shouted. "Ghosts aren't real!"

-Maria Ingrande Mora, The Immeasurable Depth of You

"We are all made of liquid and slippery organs. Life was improbable. Fragile. It was only a matter of time before something ripped us up and ruined us and we died. It didn't take anything for me to ki…"

-Maria Ingrande Mora, The Immeasurable Depth of You

"That's what I hated thinking about the most. Oblivion. Nothing. Forever. As unfathomable as the universe around us stretching endlessly, impossibly big, horrible, terrifying... Being alive scared the…"

-Maria Ingrande Mora, The Immeasurable Depth of You

Cover of As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr

14. As Seen on TV

By: Meredith Schorr

3.26

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Fans of the Hallmark Channel and Gilmore Girls will adore this delightful rom‑com about a city girl… read more

Similar categories in Meredith Schorr's As Seen on TV book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • contemporary
Cover of Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria by George Jreije

15. Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria

By: George Jreije

4.12

Format: 304 pages, Hardcover

Twelve-year-old Shad Hadid is an aspiring baker whose life is uprooted when he discovers he’s desce… read more

Similar categories in George Jreije's Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
Cover of Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsay S. Zrull

16. Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe

By: Lindsay S. Zrull

4.33

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Bounced between foster homes since the age of seven, Jessica knows better than to set down roots. M… read more

Similar categories in Lindsay S. Zrull's Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
Cover of To Get to the Other Side by Kelly Ohlert

17. To Get to the Other Side

By: Kelly Ohlert

3.38

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Trixie isn’t exactly sure what she was thinking when she stopped her car in the middle of downtown … read more

Similar categories in Kelly Ohlert's To Get to the Other Side book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • contemporary
Cover of Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer

18. Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win

By: Susan Azim Boyer

3.86

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

Most Anticipated YA by Buzzfeed, BookRiot, Epic Reads, Publishers Weekly , and more! A fresh spin … read more

Similar categories in Susan Azim Boyer's Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult contemporary
  • young adult
  • contemporary
"The time to stand up is when everyone is putting you down."

-Susan Azim Boyer, Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win

Cover of The Ghost of Spruce Point by Nancy Tandon

19. The Ghost of Spruce Point

By: Nancy Tandon

4.11

Format: 335 pages, Kindle Edition

A young boy must unravel a curse to save his family’s beloved Maine motel in this spooky, “tightly … read more

Similar categories in Nancy Tandon's The Ghost of Spruce Point book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

Cover of Lioness of Punjab by Anita Jari Kharbanda​

20. Lioness of Punjab

By: Anita Jari Kharbanda​

4.24

Format: 316 pages, Hardcover

“We will fight here,” I commanded the warriors. “We are strong. We will have no fear. As Sikh warri… read more

Similar categories in Anita Jari Kharbanda​'s Lioness of Punjab book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
Cover of Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann

21. Etta Invincible

By: Reese Eschmann

4.30

Format: 368 pages, Hardcover

A girl with hearing loss and a boy adjusting to life in a new country connect through their love of… read more

Similar categories in Reese Eschmann's Etta Invincible book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
"I’ll be honest, Etta. The last few days have been hard for me. I think I’m just sick of all this rain. Sometimes storms… they get inside. We all need the sun."

-Reese Eschmann, Etta Invincible

Cover of The Way I Say It by Nancy Tandon

22. The Way I Say It

By: Nancy Tandon

4.52

Format: 240 pages, Hardcover

Rory still can’t say his r’s, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. First Rory’s ex-best-f… read more

Similar categories in Nancy Tandon's The Way I Say It book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • contemporary
Cover of The Turning Pointe by Vanessa L. Torres

23. The Turning Pointe

By: Vanessa L. Torres

4.13

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

A novel about a teenage Latinx girl finding freedom through dance and breaking expectations in 1980… read more

Similar categories in Vanessa L. Torres's The Turning Pointe book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
  • young adult
  • contemporary
Cover of The Swordsman of Venice by Rob Samborn

24. The Swordsman of Venice

By: Rob Samborn

4.47

Format: 153 pages, Kindle Edition

Part I: Outlaw 1589 A.D. The Republic of Venice. After Angelo Mascari is thrust into a dubiou… read more

Similar categories in Rob Samborn's The Swordsman of Venice book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

Cover of The Sleepers by K.M. Kelly

25. The Sleepers

By: K.M. Kelly

4.28

Format: 298 pages, Kindle Edition

A time bomb is ticking—but what if that time bomb is you? A chilling novel of intrigue, terror, and… read more

Similar categories in K.M. Kelly's The Sleepers book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

Cover of Between Safe and Real by Dannie M. Olguin

26. Between Safe and Real

By: Dannie M. Olguin

4.67

Format: 326 pages, Paperback

Fifteen-year-old Zoe Wilkes has ninety-nine problems, and a boring life ain't one. With two hungry … read more

Similar categories in Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • young adult contemporary
  • young adult
  • fiction
  • contemporary
  • abuse
Cover of Frances and the Monster (The Frances Stenzel Series, 1) by Refe Tuma

27. Frances and the Monster (The Frances Stenzel Series, 1)

By: Refe Tuma

4.15

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

What would you do if you accidentally brought a monster to life and set him loose on your town? … read more

Similar categories in Refe Tuma's Frances and the Monster (The Frances Stenzel Series, 1) book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
"Hobbes's voice remained calm. "We can always go home. The creature will be apprehended eventually—perhaps by our zealous Constable Montavon. There is no shame in defeat." "Of course there's shame in …"

-Refe Tuma, Frances and the Monster (The Frances Stenzel Series, 1)

Cover of Gridiron Girl (Iron Valley #1) by Tamara Girardi

28. Gridiron Girl (Iron Valley #1)

By: Tamara Girardi

4.54

Format: 318 pages, Kindle Edition

Fun friendships, high school romance, and intense competition are at the heart of book one in Tamar… read more

Similar categories in Tamara Girardi's Gridiron Girl (Iron Valley #1) book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • young adult
  • contemporary
Cover of Jaguars and Other Game by Brynn Barineau

29. Jaguars and Other Game

By: Brynn Barineau

4.44

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

1808 Rio de Janeiro. The Portuguese Court flees Napoleon to Brazil. For the first and only time in … read more

Similar categories in Brynn Barineau's Jaguars and Other Game book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
Cover of The Stars in Their Eyes (The Broken Stars, #1) by Kristy  Gardner

30. The Stars in Their Eyes (The Broken Stars, #1)

By: Kristy Gardner

3.92

Format: 320 pages, Kindle Edition

Survive together, or die. Calay and Tess’s love has kept them alive four years after the aliens… read more

Similar categories in Kristy Gardner's The Stars in Their Eyes (The Broken Stars, #1) book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

  • fiction
Cover of In My Hands by Sathya Achia

31. In My Hands

By: Sathya Achia

4.66

Format: None pages, None

After the death of her mother, 16-yo Chandra S. Chengappa leaves small-town Virginia for the jungle… read more

Similar categories in Sathya Achia's In My Hands book and Dannie M. Olguin's Between Safe and Real

24 must-read fiction books like Between Safe and Real by Dannie M. Olguin

Transform Your Habits

No Way Home

Jody Feldman

3.28

Transform Your Habits

All the Feels (Spoiler Alert, #2)

Olivia Dade

3.86

Transform Your Habits

The Bruising of Qilwa

Naseem Jamnia

3.75

Transform Your Habits

Dress Coded

Carrie Firestone

4.17

View all the books

31 Best middle grade books like Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson

Transform Your Habits

Swim Team

Johnnie Christmas

4.28

Transform Your Habits

A First Time for Everything

Dan Santat

4.39

Transform Your Habits

Mascot

Charles Waters

4.02

Transform Your Habits

Speak Up!

Rebecca Burgess

4.21

View all the books

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