Books Like Ivy + Bean

Mindy and her father have recently moved from the city to a suburb in Florida where she is the only Asian girl in her school. Things start to look up for Mindy when the kids try and love her seaweed snacks. At first, she starts a snack trade-off, but later decides to start selling the snacks so she can save up money to buy a puppy. However, Mindy’s new business and friendship run into some problems along the way. If you’re looking for a chapter book with a sweet protagonist dealing with grief, moving, and fitting in with a new school crowd, this is your pick. Ages 6+

Lola is absolutely delightful! A female soccer star who’s not ashamed of her love for sports or writing or anything. This is one of those chapter books where I felt the MC’s parents were well developed! I loved this and would recommend it, especially for any soccer-loving kids! Ages 7+

Amina and her family have just moved from Syria to Indianapolis and she’s starting the third grade. She loves bananas, yellow, and science and is hoping to make some good friends at her new school. But on her first day, she quickly realizes that making friends isn’t as easy as she planned and the English language is much harder than she expected. I adored this new chapter book and the kid-friendly way in which the author portrays the challenges that immigrant children face. There are so many heartwarming family scenes and funny moments as Amina learns English expressions that make this one a charmer. Ages 7+

In this sweet, delightful story, Marya Khan has gotten herself in a fix by claiming she’s having a henna party for her birthday when, in reality, she’s having no party. Marya is convinced that all her classmates have more exciting lives than she does, but over time, she realizes that no one has a perfect life, and she needs to appreciate hers more. Ages 7+

Julia LOVES to swim and is excited to participate in Personal Best Day with her swim team. Unfortunately, she develops an ear infection, and the doctor’s orders are clear: stay out of the water. But Julia won’t give up and tries several wacky ways to stop water from getting in her ears when she swims, with disappointing and hilarious results. Eventually, she learns there are different ways to be part of a team. I loved this chapter book, especially the depiction of Julia’s immigrant parents, their sushi shop, and Julia’s adventures in the library and with frenemies. It’s an excellent choice for older readers who want the comfort of pictures in their stories. Ages 7+

When Grace finds herself as one of four Graces in her third-grade classroom, she ends up unwittingly asking to go by Just Grace. This kicks off a year of hijinks for Grace, including helping her neighbor solve the mystery of her missing cat and possibly becoming friends with a boy in her class she did not like at the start of the year. This book is funny, slice-of-life, and includes fun graphic panels since Grace likes to draw comics. Ages 7+

Phoebe loves her pet fish, Betty #2 (named after Betty #1, may she rest in peace), making lists, and her best friend, Sage. But when Camille, a tall French girl, arrives at school with unusual lunches, Phoebe can’t seem to think about anything else, including her friendship with Sage. Thanks to Camille, Phoebe discovers goat cheese, butter lettuce, and cilantro (although she’s convinced that’s not a real word). She’s determined to get invited to her new friend’s house for dinner to see what other mysterious food Camille eats. But what about Sage? Can Phoebe make a new friend and keep an old one? Ages 7+

This one is a huge favorite of many young readers! Dory is a last-born with an overactive imagination who exhausts her parents and siblings with her high energy and propensity for chaos. Join her in the first book of the series as she finds monsters around the house and puts them in their place. This series just gets better and better with each installment. Ages 7+

When eight-and-a-half-year-old Mallory McDonald’s parents tell her that they are moving, she’s mad―really mad! It’s not fair! But when she arrives at her new house, she ends up befriending a boy named Joey. Mallory’s having so much fun she forgets the pact she made with Mary Ann never to make friends with a boy next door. But, when Mary Ann comes to visit, what will Mallory do? Will she have to choose between her best friend and her new friend? This book is hilarious, relatable, and full of friendship drama in the best way. Ages 7+

Twig and Turtle are two sisters whose parents have just moved into a tiny house! The family has done some major downsizing — the kids even had to choose just five toys they could keep, and now they have to clean up after playing with their toys. Both girls are also adjusting to a new neighborhood and new school. Turtle, the younger girl, seems to be adjusting well at school, making friends and having a good time. But for the older girl, Twig, things are a bit harder. She’s self-conscious about having few clothes in rotation and being new in general. Twig is also missing their Great Dane, Bo, whom they had to leave at their Grandma’s because of the tiny house. Twig decides that the she will convince her mother to let Bo move in with them again. Twig and Turtle: Big Move to a Tiny House is a delightful start to a compelling new chapter book series featuring two sisters whose lives are changed by a move to a tiny house.

I enjoyed listening to this one on audio. It’s about a hearing-impaired girl obsessed with space. She’s convinced that she and her best friend will do a space-related afterschool activity, but then her friend bails on her, and she learns all about respecting others’ preferences and making new friends. I don’t care about space, but I loved the focus on friendship and the illustrations! Ages 7+

Ten-year-old Zara has been crowned Queen of the Neighborhood by a loving neighbor. But when her neighbor, Mr. Chapman, moves out, a new family moves in. Their daughter Naomi has other ideas for playing, and the other kids seem to like many of her ideas too. To win back her crown, Zara decides she’ll try to break a Guinness World Record. This sweet chapter book from master storyteller Hena Khan contains lovely black and white illustrations and short chapters. Zara and her friends remind me of my childhood, of playing OUTSIDE and making up games and rules for friends. Full of family, love, joy, and poignant lessons, this is a great pick for readers ages 7 and up.

Ramona and Beezus couldn’t be more different from each other. With a wild imagination, disregard for order, and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be…especially when Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus’s birthday party. Will Beezus find the patience to handle her little sister before Ramona turns her big day into a complete disaster? Ages 7+