Books like A Tale of Two Cities

If you liked A Tale of Two Cities, read Great Expectations, Allies, or The Scarlet Letter — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Historical Fiction · 1170L · grades 9–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of revolution, sacrifice, and resurrection. 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 A Tale of Two Cities

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Why each is a match

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Great Expectations1150L
Shares themes of class, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and a close reading level (1150L vs 1170L). Amazon →
Alliesgrades 5–9
Shares themes of sacrifice, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–9). Amazon →
The Scarlet Letter1420L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (1420L vs 1170L). Amazon →
Jane Eyre890L
Shares themes of class, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (10–12). Amazon →
The Hunger Games810L
Shares themes of sacrifice, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (6–9). Amazon →
The Book Thief730L
Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (8–11). Amazon →
A Streetcar Named Desiregrades 11–12
Shares themes of class, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and overlapping grades (11–12). Amazon →
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhoodgrades 9–12
Shares themes of revolution, both on the AP English Literature & Composition list, and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Animal Farm1170L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list) and a close reading level (1170L vs 1170L). Amazon →
Frankenstein1170L
Both on the AP English Literature & Composition list (+1 more shared list) and a close reading level (1170L vs 1170L). Amazon →

Books like A Tale of Two Cities for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis · 950L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (950L vs 1170L).
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson · 810L — Shares themes of class and both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list.
  • One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia · 750L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and same genre (Historical Fiction).
  • Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner · 550L — Shares themes of sacrifice and both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list.
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis · 1000L — Same genre (Historical Fiction) and a close reading level (1000L vs 1170L).

Books like A Tale of Two Cities for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis · 950L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (950L vs 1170L).
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor · 920L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (920L vs 1170L).
  • Dragonwings by Laurence Yep · 870L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and same genre (Historical Fiction).
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson · 810L — Shares themes of class and both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list.
  • One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia · 750L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and same genre (Historical Fiction).

Books like A Tale of Two Cities for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • The Odyssey by Homer · 1130L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1130L vs 1170L).
  • 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 1170L).
  • A Separate Peace by John Knowles · 1110L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list and a close reading level (1110L vs 1170L).
  • 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 1170L).
  • My Ántonia by Willa Cather · 1010L — Same genre (Historical Fiction) and a close reading level (1010L vs 1170L).

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

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