What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Fosters
Bradley Bredeweg · Series · 2013
If you loved The Fosters, start with Instant Family (Sean Anders, 2018) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 2 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Fosters across media.
If you loved The Fosters, you likely crave these stories that explore the messy, beautiful complexities of non-traditional family bonds.
Books on the same thread
The Giver Quartet
Lois Lowry · Book · 2014
Explores: Utopian Societies, Hidden Powers, Loss of Innocence.
Just as The Fosters examines the struggle of finding one's place within a community, this story explores the tension between individual identity and the expectations of a collective society.
Little Fires Everywhere
Celeste Ng · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with The Fosters: Adoption.
Readers who appreciated the intricate family dynamics in The Fosters will find a similar depth here as the narrative dissects how different family structures impact personal growth and privilege.
The Giver
Lois Lowry · Book · 1993
Shares a thread with The Fosters: Coming of Age.
This narrative mirrors the core conflict of The Fosters by highlighting the struggle of a young person forced to navigate a rigid system that ignores their unique perspective.
Berenstain Bears
Stan and Jan Berenstain · Book · 1962
Explores: Family Life, Sibling Relationships, Problem Solving.
If the focus on sibling relationships and domestic problem-solving in The Fosters resonated with you, these stories offer a foundational look at navigating early family life and change.
Films on the same thread
Instant Family
Sean Anders · Film · 2018
Shares 3 threads with The Fosters: foster care, adoption, family dynamics.
This film provides a perfect companion to The Fosters, capturing the emotional highs and lows of the foster care system and the immediate challenges of bonding with teenage siblings.
Short Term 12
Destin Daniel Cretton · Film · 2013
Shares a thread with The Fosters: Foster Care.
Much like the empathetic approach seen in The Fosters, this film dives deep into the realities of foster care and the healing power of compassion amidst past trauma.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
Viewers who enjoyed the serialized, character-driven family drama of The Fosters will appreciate this long-running exploration of community life and the shifting nature of complex human relationships.
The Bossticks
Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick / Dear Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: personal branding, work-life balance, self-optimization.
If you were drawn to the partnership and shared life goals depicted in The Fosters, this podcast offers an intimate look at how two people build a professional life together.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of The Fosters?
The Fosters follows police officer Stef Foster and school vice principal Lena Adams as they raise a family including Brandon, Mariana, and Jesus. Their lives change significantly when they welcome Callie, a teenager with a difficult background, into their home and dynamic family structure.
Who are the central parents in The Fosters?
The central parents in The Fosters are Stef Foster, who works as a police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, who serves as a school vice principal. Together, they navigate the complexities of raising their biological and adopted children while integrating new additions into the household.
Who joins the family in The Fosters?
In The Fosters, the family dynamic is disrupted and expanded when Lena meets Callie. Callie is a hardened teenager with a history of abuse who has spent her life moving through various foster homes before being introduced to the household of Stef and Lena.
Is The Fosters focused on a specific family?
Yes, The Fosters centers on a close-knit family led by Stef Foster and Lena Adams. The household includes Stef's biological son Brandon, their adopted twins Mariana and Jesus, and eventually Callie, whose arrival brings unexpected changes to the lives of all the family members.