The Baby-Sitters Club books have been extremely popular for good reason. With relatable characters navigating friendships, middle school, family, and identity, there’s a lot to love. Each member of the club brings a unique personality, allowing readers to connect with a variety of girls as they face the challenges of growing up.
I’ve compiled a list of chapter books and graphic novels tackling similar themes that are perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitters Club
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CHAPTER BOOKS FOR 3rd GRADE AND UP
Cupcake Diaries The New Batch: Emily’s Cupcake Magic by Coco Simon
Inspired by the best-selling Cupcake Diaries graphic novels, this spin-off follows Katie’s younger stepsister, Emily Green, as she navigates a new school. Nervous about making friends, she shares her sister’s delicious cupcakes and finds a caring group of girls to join her in a baking contest.
With large font and black-and-white illustrations, this is a great choice for readers transitioning to longer chapter books. Each book in the series features a different girl and the struggles she faces.
Home Sweet Forever Home (Invincible Girls series) by Rachele Alpine; illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda
While reading at a dog shelter, Lauren and her friends Ruby, Emelyn, and Myka are inspired to find ways to help the dogs get adopted. They partner with Lauren’s uncles who own a cupcake shop to create an adoption event. Animal lovers will be clamoring to read this empowering friendship story. I especially love how backmatter includes short bios of real life “invincible girls” who have selflessly helped animals. The book also includes tips for kids to help at their own local shelters. Each subsequent book is from a different friend’s point of view.
CHAPTER BOOKS FOR 5th GRADE AND UP
Girls Who Code: The Friendship Code by Stacia Deutsch
Sixth grader Lucy is thrilled to join coding club until she’s grouped with her ex-best friend Sophia, fashionista Maya, and the mysterious new girl, Erin. But when she starts receiving mysterious coding instructions, Lucy must rely on her teammates to uncover who’s behind the messages and why.
I loved how each girl’s unique personality shines and how their differences ultimately bring them together as friends and problem-solvers. Like The Babysitter’s Club, each book in the series is told from a different point of view giving readers a deeper connection to each character while exploring the exciting world of coding.
Middle School and Other Disasters: Worst Broommate Ever! By Wanda Coven, illustrated by Anna Abramskaya
It’s Heidi’s first year at boarding school and she is shocked that her roommate is her rival from elementary school Melanie Maplethorpe. The two spend the year in an epic prank war but ultimately grow closer as the year goes on.
With a large font and ample black and white illustrations, this is a good option for graphic novel lovers who have been reluctant to dive into chapter books. While this series has more of a fantasy element (Heidi is a witch), it still tackles many of the same themes as The Babysitter’s Club such as identity, friendship, and even crushes.
Maven Takes the Lead (A Girl Scouts Novel) by Yamile Saied Méndez
After spending all summer with her little brother, Maven can’t wait to start the 5th grade. She jumps at the chance to lead her class in a robotics competition despite the pushback she receives from the boys. Fortunately, the girls rally together, forming a strong team and discovering their own strengths along the way.
Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson
Filled with colorful illustrations woven into the text, this story follows Emmie, a shy, artistic 13-year-old struggling to find where she belongs. The narrative alternates between Emmie and Katie, a popular, outgoing, athletic girl, highlighting their contrasting worlds. When Emmie’s private poem about her crush is discovered, she must navigate embarrassment and learn to find her voice. The series continues with fresh perspectives from Emmie’s classmates, offering new insights and connections.
The Penderwicks: a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy (series)by Jeanne Birdsall
This modern-day classic stars a family of four sisters who travel with their widowed father to an enchanting estate called Arundel for the summer. Each sister has a uniquely captivating personality and their adventures with a young boy named Jeffrey are nothing short of delightful!
The Prettiest by Brigit Young
When a list ranking the prettiest girls in the 8th grade is shared, shy Eve is stunned to find herself at Number 1 while popular Sophie is outraged to be Number 2. Meanwhile, theater star Nessa couldn’t care less about the rankings until she sees how much the list affects her best friend Eve. In an unlikely alliance, the three girls join forces to expose the creator of the list.
This powerful, unputdownable book skillfully tackles bullying, objectification, and sexism while celebrating friendship and self-acceptance in an engaging and empowering way.
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Paws: Gabby Gets It Together by Nathan Fairbairn; illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn
A new graphic novel series with inclusive characters who display impressive problem-solving skills, financial responsibility, and navigate the ins and outs of friendship? Yes, please!
Gabby, Priya, and Mindy are three friends whose love of animals and frustration at not being allowed to have a pet drive them to start a dog walking business. They encounter several obstacles that they solve with quick wits, a hard work ethic, and helpful adults. The realistic scenarios are mixed with comical situations creating an entertaining and empowering read.
T
he CLICK series by Kayla Miller
I’ve been so incredibly impressed with the CLICK series and how authentically it navigates nuanced friendship challenges in a way that’s both engaging and accessible.
Olive is a fantastic character and role model who navigates life’s ups and downs with grace. No matter the challenge, she remains kind, stays true to herself, and confidently speaks up for what she believes in. The social dynamics at her school are equally refreshing, with diverse, realistic characters and friendship groups that are generally supportive of one another.
In the first installment, Olive’s class is preparing for a talent show and she quickly realizes that even though she has a lot of friends, she’s not part of a particular group
Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake Cure by Coco Simon
On the first day of middle school, Katie is crushed when her best friend ditches her for the popular girls. Fortunately, she finds a new group of kind, supportive friends. They bond over her mom’s delicious cupcakes and decide to bake them for a fundraiser. Each book in the series follows a different club member, offering diverse perspectives on family and identity.
Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends by Nicole Andelfinger, illustration by Claudia Aguirre
Inseparable twins Elizabeth and Jessica start middle school as close as ever, but are quickly pulled apart by their different interests. When Jessica joins a popular clique called The Unicorns, Elizabeth must decide whether to follow or stay true to her passion for the school newspaper.
Packed with sibling drama, friendship struggles, and first crushes, this story follows Elizabeth and Jessica as they navigate identity, loyalty, and growing up.
Katie the Cat Sitter by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yu
Desperate to join her friends at camp, Katie takes a part-time job as a catsitter to earn the money for the final weeks. But this is no ordinary gig. Her new workplace houses 217 cats, all owned by a mysterious woman who may or may not be a secret villain. Katie’s journey of juggling changing friendships with her first job is a humorous and engaging story that my daughter and I both could not get enough of.
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Based on her childhood, Cece Bell reinvents her younger self as a rabbit navigating elementary school with a hearing aid. With humor and heart, it’s hard not to love this courageous Cece as she forms friendships, develops a crush, and discovers her hearing aid gives her a special superpower.
Click HERE for more MIDDLE GRADE GRAPHIC NOVELS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE.
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