Books like Bud, Not Buddy

If you liked Bud, Not Buddy, read Maniac Magee, Dragonwings, or Refugee — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (Historical Fiction · 950L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of family, identity, and perseverance. 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 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Bud, Not Buddy

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.

Maniac Magee820L
Shares themes of family and race, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (820L vs 950L). Amazon →
Dragonwings870L
Shares themes of family and perseverance, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Historical Fiction). Amazon →
Refugee800L
Shares themes of family, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), and same genre (Historical Fiction). Amazon →
Ghost Boys360L
Shares themes of family, identity, and race, both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list, and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry920L
Both on the Newbery Medal list (+2 more shared lists), same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (920L vs 950L). Amazon →
Shiloh890L
Shares themes of family, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (890L vs 950L). Amazon →
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone880L
Shares themes of identity, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (880L vs 950L). Amazon →
Walk Two Moons770L
Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (770L vs 950L). Amazon →
One Crazy Summer750L
Shares themes of family and race, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Historical Fiction). Amazon →
Blended610L
Shares themes of family, identity, and race, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon →

Books like Bud, Not Buddy for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L — Shares themes of family, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (750L vs 950L).
  • Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume · 470L — Shares themes of family, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (2–5).
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary · 860L — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+3 more shared lists) and a close reading level (860L vs 950L).
  • I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis · 590L — Shares themes of family, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (2–5).
  • Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne · 510L — Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (1–4).

Books like Bud, Not Buddy for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • Rascal by Sterling North · grades 5–8 — Shares themes of family and perseverance, both on the Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney · 950L — Shares themes of family, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (950L vs 950L).
  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson · 990L — Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (990L vs 950L).
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis · 1000L — Shares themes of family, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (1000L vs 950L).

Books like Bud, Not Buddy for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • Rascal by Sterling North · grades 5–8 — Shares themes of family and perseverance, both on the Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney · 950L — Shares themes of family, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (950L vs 950L).
  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson · 990L — Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (990L vs 950L).
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis · 1000L — Shares themes of family, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (1000L vs 950L).

Books like Bud, Not Buddy for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Black Boy by Richard Wright · 950L — Shares themes of identity and race, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (950L vs 950L).
  • The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan · 930L — Shares themes of family and identity and a close reading level (930L vs 950L).
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou · 1070L — Shares themes of family and identity, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (1070L vs 950L).
  • The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd · 840L — Shares themes of family and race and a close reading level (840L vs 950L).
  • The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo · 800L — Shares themes of family and identity and a close reading level (800L vs 950L).

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

← Back to Bud, Not Buddy