What books are similar to Charlotte's Web?

The 10 closest matches to Charlotte's Web by E.B. White on ReadingList include Holes, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1), Because of Winn-Dixie, and Bridge to Terabithia. Each is scored on shared themes (friendship, mortality, and loyalty), 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 Charlotte's Web 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 Charlotte's Web

If you liked Charlotte's Web, read Holes, Where the Red Fern Grows, or The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (Children's Fiction · 680L · grades 3–5)? It’s most often read for its themes of friendship, mortality, and loyalty. 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.

Holes660L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (660L vs 680L). Amazon →
Where the Red Fern Grows700L: Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Children's Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 680L). Amazon →
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)740L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (740L vs 680L). Amazon →
Because of Winn-Dixie610L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (610L vs 680L). Amazon →
Bridge to Terabithia810L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Children's Fiction). Amazon →
Pax760L: Shares themes of friendship and loyalty and a close reading level (760L vs 680L). Amazon →
The Season of Styx Malone510L: Shares themes of friendship and growing up, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (510L vs 680L). Amazon →
Smile410L: Shares themes of friendship and growing up, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (4–8). Amazon →
Hello, Universe690L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (690L vs 680L). Amazon →
Number the Stars670L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (670L vs 680L). Amazon →

Books like Charlotte's Web 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 growing up, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 680L).
The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey · 720L — Shares themes of friendship and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Corduroy by Don Freeman · 600L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (600L vs 680L).
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows · 580L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (580L vs 680L).
The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths · 560L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (560L vs 680L).

Books like Charlotte's Web for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper · 700L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (700L vs 680L).
The BFG by Roald Dahl · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L — Shares themes of growing up, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 680L).
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead · 750L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 680L).

Books like Charlotte's Web for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton · 750L — Shares themes of friendship and loyalty, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 680L).
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper · 700L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (700L vs 680L).
The BFG by Roald Dahl · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 630L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (630L vs 680L).

Books like Charlotte's Web for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton · 750L — Shares themes of friendship and loyalty, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 680L).
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky · 720L — Shares themes of friendship and growing up and a close reading level (720L vs 680L).
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 630L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (630L vs 680L).
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak · 730L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (730L vs 680L).
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares · grades 7–10 — Shares themes of friendship and growing up.

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

← Back to Charlotte's Web