What books are similar to Alligator Sue?

The 10 closest matches to Alligator Sue by Sharon Arms Doucet on ReadingList include So B. It, Avalon High, Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life, Black Brother, Black Brother, and Blubber. Each is scored on shared themes (tall tales, alligators, and identity), shared award lists, genre, and reading level (grades 3–5), and links to the curricula, states, and grades where it is assigned in US schools, with primary sources.

Are books like Alligator Sue reading-level appropriate?

Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades 3–5), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.

How does ReadingList choose similar books?

Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Books like Alligator Sue

If you liked Alligator Sue, read So B. It, Avalon High, or Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Alligator Sue by Sharon Arms Doucet (Realistic Fiction · grades 3–5)? It’s most often read for its themes of tall tales, alligators, and identity. 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 3–5 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audible30-day trial

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Amazon links below are affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

So B. Itgrades 5–8: Shares themes of identity, both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction). Amazon →
Avalon Highgrades 3–5: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life890L: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Black Brother, Black Brothergrades 5–8: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Blubbergrades 4–7: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Dear Mr. Henshawgrades 4–6: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Genesis Begins Againgrades 5–8: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Ghost730L: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Ghost Boys360L: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Invisible Isabelgrades 3–6: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon →

Books like Alligator Sue for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K–2— same scoring, different audience.

Ida B. and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
Say What? by Margaret Peterson Haddix · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
Togo by Robert J. Blake · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
When the Wolves Returned by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).

Books like Alligator Sue for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

My Dog, My Hero by Betsy Cromer Byars · grades 3–5 — Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–5).
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks · 780L — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita · grades 3–5 — Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–5).
Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds · grades 3–6 — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).

Books like Alligator Sue for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li · grades 6–9 — Shares themes of identity and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks · 780L — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds · grades 3–6 — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
The Cybil War by Betsy Byars · grades 3–6 — Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).

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

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

Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li · grades 6–9 — Shares themes of identity and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen · grades 5–9 — Shares themes of identity, both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, and overlapping grades (5–9).
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang · 530L — Shares themes of identity.
Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper · grades 7–10 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction) and the same era (2000s).
Life of Pi by Yann Martel · 830L — Shares themes of identity.

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

← Back to Alligator Sue