28 Best childrens books like Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler

Cover of Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler

Where You've Got to Be

By: Caroline Gertler

4.04

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

“Heartfelt, honest, and beautifully told—Nolie’s NYC story is a must-read. Bonus points for an abso…

If you liked the childrens plot in Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler , here is a list of 28 books like this:

Cover of A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1) by Adam Gidwitz

1. A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1)

By: Adam Gidwitz

3.80

Format: None pages, Hardcover

In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and i… read more

Similar categories in Adam Gidwitz's A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1) book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus

2. Nothing Else But Miracles

By: Kate Albus

4.11

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

From the author of A Place to Hang the Moon comes a hopeful World War II story about three scrappy … read more

Similar categories in Kate Albus's Nothing Else But Miracles book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

3. Attack of the Black Rectangles

By: Amy Sarig King

4.21

Format: 258 pages, Hardcover

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic and finds some words… read more

Similar categories in Amy Sarig King's Attack of the Black Rectangles book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"Why do they treat kids like we don't mean anything?"

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"If you're comfortable learning history, it's the wrong history."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"I love banned books. I used to read as many to you as I could when you were little, Mac."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

"But if we want to change the world so it's good for everyone, it's important to talk about the truth."

-Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

Cover of The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

4. The Puppets of Spelhorst

By: Kate DiCamillo

4.19

Format: 149 pages, Hardcover

From master storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes an original fairy tale—with enchanting illustrations b… read more

Similar categories in Kate DiCamillo's The Puppets of Spelhorst book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"The moon has no master," said the owl. "The moon is its own king." "Or queen," said the girl. The moon rose higher."

-Kate DiCamillo, The Puppets of Spelhorst

Cover of The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh

5. The Lost Year

By: Katherine Marsh

4.50

Format: 368 pages, Hardcover

A middle-grade survival story that traces a family secret back to the Holodomor, a terrible famine … read more

Similar categories in Katherine Marsh's The Lost Year book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

6. A First Time for Everything

By: Dan Santat

4.39

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkwa… read more

Similar categories in Dan Santat's A First Time for Everything book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
Cover of Good Different by Meg Eden  Kuyatt

7. Good Different

By: Meg Eden Kuyatt

4.52

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

A extraordinary novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate he… read more

Similar categories in Meg Eden Kuyatt's Good Different book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"Fight for words, even if it's hard."

-Meg Eden Kuyatt, Good Different

"You may have different needs than some folks in your class, but that doesn't make you the ­«wrong» version and other people the «normal» version. You are Selah. And you are not the only one feeling t…"

-Meg Eden Kuyatt, Good Different

Cover of Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 2) by Dusti Bowling

8. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 2)

By: Dusti Bowling

4.32

Format: 310 pages, Hardcover

“High School. Two words that struck fear into the heart of every armless middle schooler I knew. Wh… read more

Similar categories in Dusti Bowling's Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 2) book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Long Lost by Jacqueline  West

9. Long Lost

By: Jacqueline West

4.14

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

Eleven-year-old Fiona has just read a book that doesn’t exist. When Fiona’s family moves to be … read more

Similar categories in Jacqueline West's Long Lost book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

10. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

By: Pedro Martín

4.27

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

A poignant, hilarious, and unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican-American boy’s family and t… read more

Similar categories in Pedro Martín's Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
"It was like the driveway at Disneyland but with way more automatic weapons."

-Pedro Martín, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

"I like to say that my stories are 100% true 90% of the time. My memory and my heart like to play tricks on each other. The results are what makes my stories."

-Pedro Martín, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

Cover of Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

11. Simon Sort of Says

By: Erin Bow

4.31

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a ho… read more

Similar categories in Erin Bow's Simon Sort of Says book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"Dad picks Denver [to get his rabies shots], and he's totally fine, but he's going to be away for three days. "Just like Jesus," Mom says. I can hear the phone say, "Isobel!"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

"In the tabernacle did the [squirrel]--" "Eat the Host?" says Dad. "Yes he did." "And was it--" "Consecrated?" says Dad. "Yes it was." ... "What, uh, happened to the squirrel?" "That squirrel is now 3…"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

"The dog- Todd?- looks up from its leaking beer, puffs a sigh, then crosses the room to head-butt the fridge door closed. "Ummm" I manage "Did you see he got a--" "It's okay," she says. "He only has o…"

-Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says

Cover of Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise #2) by Dan Gemeinhart

12. Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise #2)

By: Dan Gemeinhart

4.54

Format: 282 pages, Hardcover

From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Dan Gemeinhart comes a standalone companion to the critic… read more

Similar categories in Dan Gemeinhart's Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise #2) book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"But it's not the sandwich that matter Coyote. It's someone bringing you the sandwich."

-Dan Gemeinhart, Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise #2)

"I'm gonna go ahead a fast-forward the story a bit here. Because, basically some boring stuff happened and then some very exciting stuff happened, and I think it's best to just skip the crust and go s…"

-Dan Gemeinhart, Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise #2)

Cover of Squished: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd

13. Squished: A Graphic Novel

By: Megan Wagner Lloyd

4.17

Format: 248 pages, Paperback

From the Eisner-nominated duo behind the instant bestseller Allergic comes a fun new graphic novel … read more

Similar categories in Megan Wagner Lloyd's Squished: A Graphic Novel book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

14. Invisible

By: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

4.16

Format: 208 pages, Paperback

For fans of Twins and Allergic, a must-have graphic novel about five very different students who ar… read more

Similar categories in Christina Diaz Gonzalez's Invisible book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1) by Dan Gemeinhart

15. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1)

By: Dan Gemeinhart

4.46

Format: 344 pages, Hardcover

Five years. That's how long Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus,… read more

Similar categories in Dan Gemeinhart's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1) book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"But when someone's hurting, you gotta do something. Always kindness"

-Dan Gemeinhart, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1)

"Driving toward something is better than driving away from something."

-Dan Gemeinhart, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1)

"I guess that's how regrets are...they're anchors, not balloons. And we were sunk"

-Dan Gemeinhart, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1)

"The best kind of goodbye is the kind where you don’t actually have to leave the person behind."

-Dan Gemeinhart, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Coyote Sunrise #1)

Cover of Between Monsters and Marvels by Alysa Wishingrad

16. Between Monsters and Marvels

By: Alysa Wishingrad

4.48

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover

In the next standalone high-stakes middle-grade fantasy by Alysa Wishingrad, the author of the Juni… read more

Similar categories in Alysa Wishingrad's Between Monsters and Marvels book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate  O'Shaughnessy

17. Lasagna Means I Love You

By: Kate O'Shaughnessy

4.40

Format: 368 pages, Library Binding

What are the essential ingredients that make a family? Eleven-year-old Mo is making up her own reci… read more

Similar categories in Kate O'Shaughnessy's Lasagna Means I Love You book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler

18. The Color of Sound

By: Emily Barth Isler

4.31

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

Twelve-year-old Rosie is a musical prodigy whose synesthesia allows her to see music in colors. Her… read more

Similar categories in Emily Barth Isler's The Color of Sound book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • childrens
  • jewish
  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • fiction
"With the violin nestled below my chin, I feel more at home than I ever have in any house. With my fingers on the soundboard and my right hand holding the bow, I close my eyes briefly and breathe. It'…"

-Emily Barth Isler, The Color of Sound

Cover of Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

19. Genesis Begins Again

By: Alicia D. Williams

4.35

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover

This is the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who is filled with self-loathing and must overcome in… read more

Similar categories in Alicia D. Williams's Genesis Begins Again book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"Right now, for me, it's only about winning"

-Alicia D. Williams, Genesis Begins Again

"Every family has some form of crazy, trust me."

-Alicia D. Williams, Genesis Begins Again

"When mama does my hair, she spills all the tea."

-Alicia D. Williams, Genesis Begins Again

"You've got your mama's smile. Never really noticed before."

-Alicia D. Williams, Genesis Begins Again

Cover of Lost Kites and Other Treasures by Cathy Carr

20. Lost Kites and Other Treasures

By: Cathy Carr

4.33

Format: 272 pages, Hardcover

Cathy Carr’s Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a moving and heartfelt middle-grade novel about ment… read more

Similar categories in Cathy Carr's Lost Kites and Other Treasures book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
Cover of Ode to a Nobody by Caroline Brooks DuBois

21. Ode to a Nobody

By: Caroline Brooks DuBois

4.14

Format: 304 pages, Hardcover

A devastating tornado tears apart more than just houses in this striking novel in verse about a gir… read more

Similar categories in Caroline Brooks DuBois's Ode to a Nobody book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"It's eighth grade - laugh or be laughed at."

-Caroline Brooks DuBois, Ode to a Nobody

"I'm afraid to want it, but I want to be a writer"

-Caroline Brooks DuBois, Ode to a Nobody

"Maybe tomorrow, I'll try to turn this into a poem."

-Caroline Brooks DuBois, Ode to a Nobody

"(Maybe if more homes were concrete they wouldn't be damaged so easily.)"

-Caroline Brooks DuBois, Ode to a Nobody

Cover of Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

22. Thirst

By: Varsha Bajaj

4.14

Format: 192 pages, Hardcover

The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone. … read more

Similar categories in Varsha Bajaj's Thirst book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

23. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

By: Sally J. Pla

4.57

Format: 336 pages, Hardcover

Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad, but will she find the coura… read more

Similar categories in Sally J. Pla's The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • fiction
Cover of Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

24. Iveliz Explains It All

By: Andrea Beatriz Arango

4.19

Format: 272 pages, Library Binding

How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening? One girl takes on seventh grade while f… read more

Similar categories in Andrea Beatriz Arango's Iveliz Explains It All book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
"and it's important to stop, be kind to ourselves, and ask for help- ask for love."

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

"But you have to be somewhere I can find. You understand? Somewhere I can find. I nod, because I know what he is saying and what he is not saying. He can't find me if I'm not here. (p. 113 of the hard…"

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

"I am not okay, and sometimes I wish people wouldn't believe me when I say I am. I wish they would ask, just one more time, and I wish they wouldn't tiptoe around me like I'm a poem, so I could show t…"

-Andrea Beatriz Arango, Iveliz Explains It All

Cover of What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski

25. What Happened to Rachel Riley?

By: Claire Swinarski

4.23

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

An eighth grader uses social media posts, passed notes, and other clues to find out why a formerly … read more

Similar categories in Claire Swinarski's What Happened to Rachel Riley? book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier

26. The Many Fortunes of Maya

By: Nicole D. Collier

4.20

Format: 240 pages, Hardcover

In this lyrical novel that will appeal to fans of Meg Medina, Maya turns to her trusty "wheel of fo… read more

Similar categories in Nicole D. Collier's The Many Fortunes of Maya book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles

27. Not an Easy Win

By: Chrystal D. Giles

4.08

Format: 256 pages, Library Binding

FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess--can he find a way to get on the bo… read more

Similar categories in Chrystal D. Giles's Not an Easy Win book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis

28. Coyote Queen

By: Jessica Vitalis

4.27

Format: 272 pages, Hardcover

When a twelve-year-old decides that she must get herself and her mother out of a bad situation, an … read more

Similar categories in Jessica Vitalis's Coyote Queen book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • fiction
Cover of The House Swap by Yvette Clark

29. The House Swap

By: Yvette Clark

4.13

Format: 304 pages, Hardcover

The Parent Trap meets The Holiday in this heartwarming and funny story of two girls, one American a… read more

Similar categories in Yvette Clark's The House Swap book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction
Cover of Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler

30. Where You've Got to Be

By: Caroline Gertler

4.04

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover

“Heartfelt, honest, and beautifully told—Nolie’s NYC story is a must-read. Bonus points for an abso… read more

Similar categories in Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • childrens
  • jewish
  • realistic fiction
  • middle grade
  • fiction
Cover of The Rabbit's Gift by Jessica Vitalis

31. The Rabbit's Gift

By: Jessica Vitalis

4.16

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover

When the delicate balance between the people of a small country and the mythic rabbits of age-old l… read more

Similar categories in Jessica Vitalis's The Rabbit's Gift book and Caroline Gertler's Where You've Got to Be

  • middle grade
  • childrens
  • fiction

28 Best fiction books like Where You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler

Transform Your Habits

A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1)

Adam Gidwitz

3.80

Transform Your Habits

Nothing Else But Miracles

Kate Albus

4.11

Transform Your Habits

Attack of the Black Rectangles

Amy Sarig King

4.21

Transform Your Habits

The Puppets of Spelhorst

Kate DiCamillo

4.19

View all the books

15 best-selling childrens books like Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

Transform Your Habits

The Eyes and the Impossible

Dave Eggers

4.25

Transform Your Habits

Ferris

Kate DiCamillo

4.30

Transform Your Habits

The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity

Nicholas Day

4.15

Transform Your Habits

The Lost Year

Katherine Marsh

4.50

View all the books

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