# Books like Don't Need Friends

**10** books similar to *Don't Need Friends* by Carolyn Crimi (Realistic Fiction · grades K–2), matched on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level. Every pick is grade-appropriate (a reading-level match, not just a topical one) and links to where it is assigned in US schools.

**Themes:** animals, rats, friendship, dogs
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/dont-need-friends
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [Rugby and Rosie](https://readinglist.school/book/rugby-and-rosie) by Nan Parson Rossiter _(Grades K–3)_ — Shares themes of friendship and dogs, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–3).
- [Madeline Finn and the Library Dog](https://readinglist.school/book/madeline-finn-and-the-library-dog) by Lisa Papp _(Grades K–2)_ — Shares themes of dogs, both on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Trouper](https://readinglist.school/book/trouper) by Meg Kearney _(Grades K–2)_ — Shares themes of dogs, both on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [High-Wire Henry](https://readinglist.school/book/high-wire-henry) by Mary Calhoun _(Grades K–3)_ — Shares themes of dogs, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–3).
- [Martha Speaks](https://readinglist.school/book/martha-speaks) by Susan Meddaugh _(Grades K–3)_ — Shares themes of dogs, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–3).
- [Never Spit on Your Shoes](https://readinglist.school/book/never-spit-on-your-shoes) by Denys Cazet _(Grades K–3)_ — Shares themes of animals, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–3).
- [Riptide](https://readinglist.school/book/riptide) by Frances Ward Weller _(Grades K–3)_ — Shares themes of dogs, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–3).
- [Good Boy, Fergus](https://readinglist.school/book/good-boy-fergus) by David Shannon _(Grades K–2)_ — Shares themes of dogs, both on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award list, and overlapping grades (K–2).
- [Mother Bruce](https://readinglist.school/book/mother-bruce) by Ryan T. Higgins _(Grades K–0)_ — Shares themes of animals, both on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award list, and overlapping grades (K–0).
- [Are You My Mother?](https://readinglist.school/book/are-you-my-mother) by P. D. Eastman _(Grades K–1)_ — Shares themes of animals, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (K–1).

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