Books like Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety

If you liked Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety, read A Bird Will Soar or Show Me a Sign (Show Me a Sign, Book 1) — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety by Rob Harrell? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety

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Why each is a match

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A Bird Will Soargrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
Show Me a Sign (Show Me a Sign, Book 1)grades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinngrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
The Truth As Told by Mason Buttlegrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
Wildoakgrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
A Dog Called Homelessgrades 3–6
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon →
A Mango-Shaped Spacegrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
After Ever Aftergrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Anything But Typicalgrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
As Brave As Yougrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →

Books like Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

  • Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).

Books like Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 9–12— same scoring, different audience.

  • Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • This Is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio · grades 9–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

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