Book cover of Armstrong and Charlie

Book description

Charlie isn't looking forward to sixth grade. If he starts sixth grade, chances are he'll finish it, and he'll be older than his older brother ever was. Armstrong isn't looking forward to sixth grade either. He'll have to wake up at five thirty to ride a bus to an all-white…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Armstrong and Charlie as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love the unique and true voices in this alternating-narrator story of two boys in LA who differ by race and neighborhood but end up in the same sixth-grade class, thanks to bussing.

The hilarious dialogue, combined with the sobering elements of grief and bullying, takes this gem way beyond the usual “unlikely friendship” trope.

I delighted in watching these two boys flail and ultimately thrive in the quagmire that is early adolescence.  

If you love Armstrong and Charlie...

Ad

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Armstrong and Charlie?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Armstrong and Charlie.

Browse books like Armstrong and Charlie

Book cover of The Assignment
Book cover of We Dream of Space
Book cover of A Death-Struck Year

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Armstrong and Charlie, you might also like...

Book cover of The Bridge: Connecting The Powers of Linear and Circular Thinking

The Bridge by Kim Hudson,

The Bridge provides a compassionate and well researched window into the worlds of linear and circular thinking. A core pattern to the inner workings of these two thinking styles is revealed, and most importantly, insight into how to cross the distance between them. Some fascinating features emerged such as, circular…

Book cover of And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown

And Then They Were Gone by Judy Bebelaar,

Of the 918 Americans who died in the shocking murder-suicides of November 18, 1978, in the tiny South American country of Guyana, a third were under eighteen. More than half were in their twenties or younger.

The authors taught in a small high school in San Francisco where Reverend Jim…

5 book lists we think you will like!