Readalikes Archives - Reading Middle Grade

20 Sweet Chapter Books Like Sophie Mouse

Katie Wickliff — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:12:27 +0000

If your child loves cozy chapter books about forest animals and their sweet friendships, there’s a good chance they’re already discovered The Adventures of Sophie Mouse. In this series, Sophie is a thoughtful young mouse who lives in Silverlake Forest with her family and friends and has many everyday adventures. However, if your reader has finished this series and is looking for something similar, there are plenty of other gentle stories to explore next. Our readalikes for fans of Sophie Mouse include books about friendship, helping others, and learning from mistakes. Many of the adventures take place in nature settings, and all are entertaining but low-stakes– nothing too scary here! If you’re looking for a place to start, our family highly recommends the Heartwood Hotel series, the Wellie Wishers series, and the Good Dog series.

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14 Books for Kids Who Love Refugee by Alan Gratz

Afoma Umesi — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:40:59 +0000

Recommending readalikes can be a tricky process, but I enjoy the process of finding similar threads running through even books that appear different on the surface. Today’s pick is Alan Gratz’s Refugee, a heartrending middle grade book about three kids (living in different time periods) escaping violence and unrest and becoming refugees in the process. Alan Gratz writes moving adventure/survival stories for kids and it's tough to find an author exactly like him, but I’ve chosen other stories with similar themes. You’ll meet kids who have to leave their homes because of unrest, insecurity, and war and travel with them as they make home in new places. If your kids are looking for books like Refugee by Alan Gratz, you can confidently hand them these books.

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Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities for Fantasy Fans

Katie Wickliff — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:55:46 +0000

Keeper of the Lost Cities is a hit fantasy series that follows Sophie Foster, a telepathic girl who discovers that she’s actually an elf. As Sophie tries to untangle her mysterious past, she’s drawn into a hidden realm filled with adventure, conspiracy, and dangerous secrets that threaten both her worlds. If your reader loved following Sophie’s journey, this diverse list of readalikes will definitely capture their attention. Many of these stories feature young heroes discovering their true identities, fighting against evil forces, and finding their place in magical schools, all while navigating the complexities of growing up. Not sure where to begin? Our family favorites include the Nevermoor series, Witchlings, and the Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall. Let’s get started!

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Books Like for Teens Who Like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Afoma Umesi — Thu, 08 May 2025 18:56:32 +0000

Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved is a hugely popular series--especially after the beloved Netflix adaptations. I read it years ago and completely understand the huge appeal of its swoon-worthy plot and characters. If your teens are fans of Lara Jean's story, I have some recommendations they will also love. Obviously, none of these books is exactly the same as TATB, but I'm sharing some of my favorite teen romances with a similar vibe as Jenny Han's bestselling trilogy. Many of these books have a similar fake dating trope, love triangle, family-centric spirit, and a cast you can love and root for.

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20 Action-Packed Books Like Percy Jackson

Katie Wickliff — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:19:09 +0000

When my 13-year-old was a bit younger, he dove headfirst into the Percy Jackson universe, emerging with a strong interest in Greek mythology and a craving for more books with similar elements. This list of our favorite Percy Jackson readalikes includes stories with the same appeal, some rooted in Greek mythology, while others explore the legends and traditions of Mexican, Hindu, Chinese, Native American, and African American cultures. Still others are engaging fantasy quests filled with diverse, relatable protagonists and mythological creatures. My son enjoyed several of the books on this list, and we’re certain you’ll find the perfect adventure for your Percy Jackson fan. Enjoy!

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Books for Kids Who Love Wonder

Afoma Umesi — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:08:55 +0000

It's been ages since I first watched the Wonder movie, but over a decade after the book's release and years after the subsequent movie adaptation, I still get requests from folks whose kids want more books like Wonder. If your kids fall into this category, I know you'll enjoy the books on this list!

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Books for Kids Who Love The Boxcar Children

Katie Wickliff — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:08:14 +0000

Originally published over 100 years ago, The Boxcar Children is a beloved series that has captivated generations of children with the adventures of the orphaned Alden siblings. If your reader loves the series and is eager for new books with similar elements, this list of readalikes is perfect for them. While many of these books are mysteries, some are adventure stories that feature siblings or friends working together toward a common goal. If you’re looking for a place to start, our family favorites include The Bletchley Riddle, The 39 Clues Graphic Novels, and A Place to Hang the Moon. Enjoy!

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Books Like Ivy + Bean

Afoma Umesi — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:48:34 +0000

Ivy + Bean is a popular chapter book series about two dissimilar girls who become unexpected friends and enjoy plenty of adventures with a healthy dose of humor, mischief, and heart. If your kid loves the friendship, mischief, and adventure in the Ivy + Bean series, here are 20 other chapter books with just as much heart and humor. Some of these focus on unlikely friendships, while many feature spunky female protagonists like Bean finding their way in the world.

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Books to Read If You Love the I Survived Series

Katie Wickliff — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:08:04 +0000

The I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis is perennially popular in our school library, loved by many middle grade readers. Each book focuses on a different historical event, featuring kids who face incredible challenges—surviving natural disasters, wars, and deadly illnesses. If your reader enjoys these stories, our list of read-alikes offers even more captivating survival adventures for a wide age range. Some of our family favorites include Catherine’s War, Out of Range, and Westfallen. Let’s get started!

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15 Books Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Afoma Umesi — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:17:14 +0000

If your kids can't get enough of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it's not hard to figure out why. These books combine the popular notebook format with relatable storytelling and occasional slapstick humor in a way that is simply irresistible for young readers. Many parents tell me that this series is all their kids will read -- and I get it. If you've found something that works (and new books in the series keep getting released), why stop? Although this series is far from my favorite, I'm a huge proponent of leaning into what your kids like. It's the only sure-fire way to keep them reading, while nudging them out of their comfort zones every now and again. That's what the books on this list are for! All of them have a similar format to the Wimpy Kid books and feature wacky, slapstick humor. I've also included picks for a wide range of ages so you can reach everyone, from the elementary schooler to the almost-high schooler who loves this series!

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