What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLike Stars on Earth
Aamir Khan · Film · 2007
If you loved Like Stars on Earth, start with Atypical (Robia Rashid, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Like Stars on Earth across media.
What hooked you in Like Stars on Earth was the profound, empathetic exploration of neurodivergence and the resilience of the human spirit.
Books on the same thread
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green · Book · 2012
Shares a thread with Like Stars on Earth: Coming-of-Age.
Like Stars on Earth captures the vulnerability of childhood, and this book mirrors that emotional depth by exploring how young people navigate difficult realities with grace and courage.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Mark Haddon · Book · 2003
Explores: Autism, Family Secrets, Problem Solving.
If you valued the unique perspective of Ishaan in Like Stars on Earth, you will appreciate this story which centers on a boy navigating the world through his own lens.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as Like Stars on Earth uses imagination to process internal struggles, this book beautifully illustrates how a child uses his inner world to cope with complex feelings.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Like Stars on Earth: Self-Discovery.
Like Stars on Earth follows a boy who feels misunderstood by the adults around him, a theme that resonates deeply in this story of a child discovering his true potential.
Series on the same thread
The Good Doctor
David Shore · Series · 2017
Explores: Outsider Perspective, Overcoming Prejudice, Professional Growth.
Much like the teacher-student dynamic in Like Stars on Earth, this show highlights the importance of mentorship and patience when supporting someone with a different way of seeing reality.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Moon Ji-won · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Like Stars on Earth: Coming-of-age.
If the journey toward self-acceptance in Like Stars on Earth moved you, you will find a similar spirit of resilience as this character overcomes prejudice to embrace her potential.
Atypical
Robia Rashid · Series · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Like Stars on Earth: Self-Discovery, Coming-of-age, Family Drama.
Like Stars on Earth focuses on the family dynamics surrounding a child's unique needs, and this series provides a similarly honest, character-driven look at the challenges and triumphs of growth.
Never Have I Ever
Mindy Kaling · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Like Stars on Earth: Self-Discovery.
If you connected with the personal transformation in Like Stars on Earth, you will appreciate this character's messy, heartfelt evolution as she attempts to find her place in the world.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
The human-centric storytelling in Like Stars on Earth finds a direct parallel here, where personal narratives uncover the big feelings and hidden struggles behind everyday life experiences.
Common Man
Podcast
Explores: Positivity, Encouragement, Personal Development.
Like Stars on Earth acts as a beacon of encouragement, and this podcast continues that mission by offering the same type of uplifting, personal growth-oriented content to its listeners.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Like Stars on Earth about a student struggling in school?
Yes, Like Stars on Earth follows eight-year-old Ishaan Awasthi, who faces significant difficulties with his schoolwork. His inability to meet academic expectations leads adults to prioritize marks and neatness over his creative interests, eventually resulting in his transfer to a boarding school.
What is the primary conflict in Like Stars on Earth?
The primary conflict in Like Stars on Earth involves the disconnect between Ishaan Awasthi and the adults in his life. While Ishaan finds wonder in his surroundings, the adults focus strictly on academic performance, leading to his displacement at a boarding school.
Does Like Stars on Earth focus on a young child?
Yes, the protagonist of Like Stars on Earth is an eight-year-old boy named Ishaan Awasthi. The narrative centers on his experiences as a child who struggles to conform to the academic demands placed upon him by the adults in his world.
Why is Ishaan sent to boarding school in Like Stars on Earth?
In Like Stars on Earth, Ishaan Awasthi is sent to boarding school because he cannot get anything right in his current classroom. His struggles with homework and academic performance cause the adults around him to remove him from his home environment.