Book picks similar to
Just Like Jenny by Sandy Asher


young-adult
dance
kid-books
childhood-nostalgia-rereads

Bedtime Stories for Girls


Joff Brown - 2011
    Specially selected traditional tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Ugly Duckling, combine with wonderful, original stories to make an ebook that is sure to be kept and treasured.

The Agent With a Bone to Pick


D.R. Tara - 2014
    After finding him on the road and adopting him, his parents give him a life that most dogs could only imagine, riding with Mummy on her scooter and playing cricket with Daddy. In Story 1, Jack spies on Mummy as she shops in a mall. In doing so, he foils the efforts of a robber who tried to steal Mummy’s purse. His efforts result in an invitation to join the police force as a special agent. In Story 2, Jack goes undercover to solve a case of looting in the neighbourhood. In story 3 Jack finds a great friend in Scoobie, and the two friends spend quality time playing together.

My Mom's a Mortician (Kevin Kirk Chronicles, Vol. 1)


Patricia Wiles - 2004
    After all, normal people don’t live in houses with dead bodies downstairs! Once in Armadillo, Arkansas, Kevin tries to adapt to the family business. When he’s targeted by the biggest bully in the seventh grade, Kevin begins to “hear” advice from an unlikely source — Cletus McCulley, an old Mormon fisherman and one of his mother’s dead customers. Cletus’s messages from beyond the grave lead Kevin to uncover not only the bully’s secrets, but the truth about a family tragedy that shattered his parents’ faith and led them away from God. It’s up to Kevin to find the courage to face the bully, and to find a way to help his family heal. Winner of the 2004 Middle Grade Fiction Award from the Association for Mormon Letters.“This portrayal of small-town Mormon life sets an excellent example for future children’s novels set outside the highly-concentrated Mormon communities of the West.”—Association for Mormon Letters

To Be a Dancer


Elizabeth Bernard - 1987
    In the company are Alexandra, the daughter of Russian dancers who have defected; bubbly Kay; deceitful, beautiful Pamela; limber Linda; and Madame Preston. Leah is the most gifted dancer of the group, but she has trouble believing it and almost lets petty jealousies thwart her.

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain


Eugene Yelchin - 2021
    In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family.

Babysitters Club Collection #11 (The Babysitters Club, #31-33)


Ann M. Martin - 1999
    Dawn's Wicked Stepsister32. Kristy and the Secret of Susan33. Claudia and the Great Search

You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye


Patricia Hermes - 1982
    In fact, that first small indication of something wrong escapes the whole family. Three weeks later though there can be no escape. Sarah's mother has been diagnosed with incurable cancer and the love this family shares becomes a desperate clinging. But Sarah's mother has a gift. A gift for reaffirming life. And even as she leaves that gift, another one, a letter, will help bring Sarah through the most painful and trying time she has ever had.One of the most honest portraits of death, courage, and, most especially, love can now be shared again with a new generation of children."Hermes, author of this . . . uncompromisingly candid story makes the reader aware of life's priceless moments and the need for courage."-Publishers Weekly "A vivid, painful believability." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A sensitive, touching account." -Instructor Magazine "This book is by far the best liked book in my reading class. We have read this book in my fifth grade class for the last eight years. The book gives us an opportunity to discuss many issues confronted by young kids while growing up. It also provides an opportunity to discuss death and the loss of a loved one. The students and I have had many heart wrenching talks while reading this book. Many tears have been shed by my students while reading and discussing this book. This is my all time favorite book to read in class." -Online review

Trapped in Death Cave


Bill Wallace - 1984
    But from a note Grampa left, Gary suspects he was murdered. The note tells of a million dollars in gold hidden in a cave and an old Indian curse promising that anyone who touches it will die! Gary and his friend Brian are sure that if they find the gold, they will also find Grampa's killer. But treasure hunting can be deadly. Now they are stuck in a dark cavern full of tangled skeletons, restless Indian spirits, and a murderer out for their blood! Will Brian and Gary ever get out of Death Cave alive?

The True History of a Little Ragamuffin


James Greenwood - 1866
    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Inkheart: Movie Storybook. Adapted by Sonia Sander


Cornelia Funke - 2008
    After a mysterious stranger visits them, Mo tells Meggie they must go into hiding. But why? - and from whom?

The Same Stuff as Stars


Katherine Paterson - 2002
    Grandma spends most of her time wrapped in a blanket by the wood stove.There is one bright spot in Angel's world: a mysterious stranger who teaches Angel all about the stars and planets and constellations. Carving out a new life proves harder than Angel ever imagined. But she feels a tiny spark of hope when she remembers what the stranger said that she is made of the same stuff as stars.

The Undertaker's Gone Bananas


Paul Zindel - 1978
    Hulka, his sinister new neighbor, that the man was evil. Then one morning, while spying on the man, who works as an undertaker, Bobby thinks he witnesses a violent crime. Bobby is determined to expose Mr. Hulka, and he asks his best friend, Lauri, to help him. The two sleuths discover much more than they bargained for. Can Bobby and Lauri stop the evil Hulka before he claims his next victims?

The Cybil War


Betsy Byars - 1981
    Falling in love with her was easy, but winning her is not. Simon's best friend, Tony, is also swooning over Cybil, and he'll stop at nothing to ruin Simon's chances of impressing her. When Simon realizes what Tony is up to, the war is on... but only Cybil can decide the outcome. Who will be the lucky winner of Cybil's heart?"Young love, fifth-grade variety, portrayed with warmth and humor and that extra, penetrating touch one expects of Byars."—Kirkus ReviewsAn ALA Notable Book

The Little Gymnast


Sheila Haigh - 1985
    With a lot of work and determination, Anda becomes the best gymnast in her class but family money is tight and she must win the regional championship and the accompanying scholarship or give up gymnastics completely.

Girls Only! All About Periods and Growing-Up Stuff


Victoria Parker - 2004