Books like Amos Fortune, Free Man

If you liked Amos Fortune, Free Man, read Bud, Not Buddy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, or Holes — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates (African Americans · grades 3–7)? 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 3–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Amos Fortune, Free Man

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Why each is a match

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Bud, Not Buddy950L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler700L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Holes660L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Island of the Blue Dolphins1000L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Maniac Magee820L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Shiloh890L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
The Giver760L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (6–8). Amazon → books like this →
And Now Miguelgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s). Amazon → books like this →
Carry On, Mr. Bowditchgrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Amos Fortune, Free Man for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Old Yeller by Fred Gipson · grades 5–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (1950s).
  • Onion John by Joseph Krumgold · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).

Books like Amos Fortune, Free Man for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Old Yeller by Fred Gipson · grades 5–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (1950s).
  • Onion John by Joseph Krumgold · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).
  • Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (1950s).

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

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