Alan Gratz is an American author best known for writing historical fiction and adventure novels. If you enjoyed Refugee: The Graphic Novel, you may want to check out Alan’s work.

Gratz has written more than 20 books, including popular titles like Refugee, Prisoner B-3087, and Ground Zero, many of which explore real historical events through the perspectives of young characters. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than five years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee: The Graphic Novel, an adaptation faithful to the original book, was a USA Today bestseller!

Alan’s 2025 novel War Games, 2024 novel Heroes, 2022 novel Two Degrees, and his 2021 novel Ground Zero were all instant #1 New York Times bestsellers, and were also ABA Indie, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. His 2019 novel Allies debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and received four starred reviews, and 2018’s Grenade debuted at #3. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.

A number of Alan’s books are available at your school library.

If you enjoyed The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin you should look for their other novels.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
Out of the Easyby Ruta Sepetys
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

Bomb: The Race to Build–and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rightsby Steve Sheinkin

If you liked Looking for Smoke, you were probably drawn to a mix of YA mystery/thriller, multiple perspectives, emotional depth, and Indigenous or social themes.

If you liked the mystery aspect of this novel, you will most likely enjoy books by Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson. If you were drawn by indigenous themes you should look into the works of Angeline Boulley and Cherie Dimaline. If you like darker themes and intensity check out Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.

If you enjoyed Fake Skating, you’re probably into cute, banter-heavy YA romances with recurring elements such as fake dating, childhood friends-to-lovers, sports vibes, and lots of “will-they-won’t-they” moments . Here are some novels that should match your preferences.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by by Jenny Han

“Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.” -Amazon

Tweet Cute by by Emma Lord

At school, Pepper is a driven perfectionist trying to live up to her family’s expectations, while Jack is a laid-back class clown dealing with his own pressures. When a playful social media account for Jack’s family deli clashes with Pepper’s mom’s fast-food chain account, the two start a hilarious and increasingly personal Twitter war. -Summary

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

“Throughout the years both Rowan and Neil have been at competition with one another on everything from who has the best ideas for school functions to which one will be their graduating class’s valedictorian. However, in the twenty-four hours left they have as high school students, the two learn they share something much deeper than a rivalry.” -WorldCat

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

When eighteen-year-old Mallory begrudgingly agrees to return to chess in one last charity tournament, her surprise upset against Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world champ and bad boy of the chess world, sets her on an whirlwind adventure as she rediscovers her passion for the game. -Summary

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Seventeen-year-old Lila Reyes, furious when her parents send her to the English countryside to recover from grief and heartbreak, unexpectedly falls in love with a teashop clerk–and England, itself. -Summary

Be sure to check out Lynn’s other novels. Many of them have a similar feel to Fake Skating.

Better Than the Movies
This “sweet and funny” teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush.
Rom-com obsessed girl + enemies-to-lovers + lots of movie references

The Do-Over
In this “unequivocally hilarious and delightful” novel a teen girl has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again.
Time-loop + romance + self-growth

Betting on You
This novel follows a teen girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a bet while working at a waterpark.
Rivals-to-lovers with strong chemistry

Nothing Like the Movies
In this highly anticipated sequel to Better Than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being college students.
Second-chance romance + self-growth