Books like Awkward

If you liked Awkward, read The Bad Guys, Allergic, or Coraline — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova (Graphic Novel · grades 3–5)? It’s most often read for its themes of basic reader, middle schools, and comics & graphic novels. 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.

10 books similar to Awkward

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Why each is a match

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The Bad Guysgrades 3–5
Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
Allergicgrades 4–6
Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Coralinegrades 3–5
Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
Skeleton Keygrades 3–5
Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, same genre (Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
Dog Man Unleashedgrades 3–6
Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (3–6), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Dramagrades 5–9
Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (5–9), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Eight Keysgrades 4–6
Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Giants Bewaregrades 3–5
Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Real Friendsgrades 2–8
Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
The Big Bad Foxgrades 3–5
Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →

Books like Awkward for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of popularity and overlapping grades (2–8).
  • Bone by Jeff Smith · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Graphic Novel) and overlapping grades (2–8).
  • Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (2–8).

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

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

  • The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell · grades 4–6 — Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2010s).
  • The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson · grades 3–8 — Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (3–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass · grades 3–5 — Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s).

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

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

  • The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell · grades 4–6 — Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2010s).
  • The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson · grades 3–8 — Same genre (Graphic Novel), overlapping grades (3–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of middle schools and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of popularity and overlapping grades (2–8).

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

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

  • Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans · grades 6–9 — Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list and the same era (2010s).
  • Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard by Ronald Wimberly · grades 9–12 — Same genre (Graphic Novel).
  • The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen · grades 5–9 — Both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, overlapping grades (5–9), and the same era (2010s).

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

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