Books like Dear Mrs. LaRue

If you liked Dear Mrs. LaRue, read Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude first — the closest match in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague (Humor · grades 3–5)? It’s most often read for its themes of training, humorous stories, and letters. 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 Dear Mrs. LaRue

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.

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dudegrades 3–5
Shares themes of humorous stories, both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, and same genre (Humor). Amazon →
Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Busgrades 3–5
Shares themes of humorous stories, both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, and same genre (Humor). Amazon →
Arnie, the Doughnutgrades 2–8
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8). Amazon →
Double Fudgegrades 4–6
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Knocked Out by Nunga-Nungasgrades 3–5
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
No More Dead Dogsgrades 2–8
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8). Amazon →
Banana Twistgrades 4–6
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Daysgrades 4–6
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Dog Breathgrades 2–8
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8). Amazon →
My Horrible Secretgrades 4–6
Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →

Books like Dear Mrs. LaRue for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8).
  • Scat by Carl Hiaasen · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Humor), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Humor) and overlapping grades (2–8).
  • Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories and overlapping grades (2–8).

Books like Dear Mrs. LaRue for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Piggie Pie! by Margie Palatini · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (3–5).
  • Ribsy by Beverly Cleary · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of pets, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of humorous stories, both on the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards), Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8 divisions list, and overlapping grades (3–5).
  • The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories and pets and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8).

Books like Dear Mrs. LaRue for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Ribsy by Beverly Cleary · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of pets, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories and pets and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (2–8).
  • The Sixth Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman · grades 4–6 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • When the Boys Ran the House by Joan Davenport Carris · grades 3–6 — Shares themes of humorous stories, same genre (Humor), and overlapping grades (3–6).

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

← Back to Dear Mrs. LaRue