1990
WISE Score
Think Diary of a Wimpy Kid but with a bit more heart and a lot more 'how do I actually fit in?' energy.
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A Kid Like Me is a win for parents looking for 'brain rot' alternatives that kids will actually read. Norm Feuti avoids the mean-spiritedness that sometimes creeps into middle-grade diaries, opting instead for a story that feels honest about how weird and hard it is to be ten years old.
It’s a safe bet for a weekend read or a school book report. If your kid liked Big Nate or Smile, they’ll tear through this. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s a very well-made wheel.
Perfect for the 7-12 crowd. It’s the ideal bridge for kids who have outgrown early readers but aren't quite ready for the heavy angst of YA novels.
Norm Feuti has a track record of creating emotionally grounded, kind-hearted content for kids. This story focuses on the messy but necessary process of finding one's identity without being overly cynical.
While it follows the familiar 'middle school survival' trope, Feuti’s cartooning style is expressive and engaging, making the internal social struggle visually dynamic.
It's a middle-grade graphic novel from a reputable publisher. No red flags for violence, language, or inappropriate themes. It's as safe as a library book gets.
The book tackles social navigation and the pressure to fit in, providing solid social-emotional mirrors for kids dealing with cliques and friendship shifts.
While middle-grade graphic novels are a dime a dozen lately, this one sticks the landing because it acknowledges a reality most of them ignore: money. Ethan isn't just "the new kid" or "the awkward kid." He’s the working-class kid. In the ecosystem of middle school, where having the right shoes or the newest tech acts as a social passport, Ethan is traveling without papers.
This creates a specific kind of friction that feels much more grounded than the usual "I'm clumsy and have a crush" tropes. If your kid is starting to notice who has what—and how that dictates who sits where—this story provides a necessary mirror. It’s less about the "drama" of being poor and more about the quiet, daily calculation of trying to fit into a social landscape that feels expensive.
If you’re worried your kid is stuck in a loop of "brain rot" YouTube shorts, this is the corrective. The pacing is relentless in the way only a seasoned graphic novelist can pull off. There isn’t a wasted panel. It’s built for the kid who looks at a wall of text and immediately checks out.
We see this a lot with the I Survived series, where high-stakes peril keeps the pages turning. A Kid Like Me does the same thing but with social stakes. The "threat" isn't a lion or a volcano; it’s the threat of being invisible or, worse, being the target of the wrong clique. It’s a low-stress way to build reading stamina without the book feeling like "homework."
If your house is already full of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate, you know the vibe: cynical, slightly mean-spirited, and focused on the protagonist's ego. This book is the antidote to that. It keeps the humor and the fast-paced visuals but swaps the cynicism for actual heart. Ethan is a character you actually want to win, rather than a protagonist you’re just laughing at.
It sits comfortably next to Raina Telgemeier’s Smile or Terri Libensen’s work, but with a bit more grit. It’s a great bridge for kids who have finished those series and want something that feels a little more mature without jumping into the heavy themes of YA.
Don't just hand this over and walk away. The "class divide" and "fitting in" themes are perfect for a low-key car ride conversation. You don't need to make it a lecture. Just asking which characters seem like "status seekers" can open up a lot of doors. For a deeper look at how to handle these specific school dynamics, our guide on Navigating Middle School Status and Real Friendship covers the exact social hurdles Ethan faces and how to help your kid jump them.
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