Books like 1984

If you liked 1984, read Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451, or The Handmaid's Tale — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like 1984 by George Orwell (Dystopian Fiction · 1090L · grades 9–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and language and thought. The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 9–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to 1984

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Why each is a match

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Animal Farm1170L
Shares themes of language and thought and propaganda, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (1170L vs 1090L). Amazon →
Fahrenheit 451890L
Shares themes of rebellion, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Dystopian Fiction). Amazon →
The Handmaid's Tale750L
Shares themes of totalitarianism, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and same genre (Dystopian Fiction). Amazon →
The Diary of a Young Girl1080L
Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, a close reading level (1080L vs 1090L), and the same era (1940s). Amazon →
Anthem880L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, same genre (Dystopian Fiction), and a close reading level (880L vs 1090L). Amazon →
Brave New World870L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Dystopian Fiction), and a close reading level (870L vs 1090L). Amazon →
Antigonegrades 9–12
Shares themes of individual vs state, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Pygmaliongrades 9–12
Shares themes of language and thought, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time1090L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list and a close reading level (1090L vs 1090L). Amazon →
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave1080L
Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1080L vs 1090L). Amazon →

Books like 1984 for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen · 1020L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1020L vs 1090L).
  • My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett · 990L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, a close reading level (990L vs 1090L), and the same era (1940s).
  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Shares themes of language and thought.

Books like 1984 for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

  • The Giver by Lois Lowry · 760L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and same genre (Dystopian Fiction).
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London · 1120L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1120L vs 1090L).
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen · 1020L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1020L vs 1090L).
  • The Pearl by John Steinbeck · 1010L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, a close reading level (1010L vs 1090L), and the same era (1940s).
  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Shares themes of language and thought.

Books like 1984 for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 9–12— same scoring, different audience.

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen · 1100L — Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list) and a close reading level (1100L vs 1090L).
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston · 1080L — Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list) and a close reading level (1080L vs 1090L).
  • A Separate Peace by John Knowles · 1110L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1110L vs 1090L).
  • Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad · 1070L — Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list and a close reading level (1070L vs 1090L).
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou · 1070L — Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list) and a close reading level (1070L vs 1090L).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

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