Books like Frankenstein
Looking for books like Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Gothic Fiction · 1170L · grades 9–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of ambition and hubris, responsibility for creation, and nature vs nurture. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, 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 9–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.
10 books similar to Frankenstein
Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen · 1100L
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous WeaponSteve Sheinkin · 920L
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens · 1170L
Animal FarmGeorge Orwell · 1170L
Great ExpectationsCharles Dickens · 1150L- Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults)B.S.Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults)Bryan Stevenson · 1130L
The OdysseyHomer · 1130L
The Call of the WildJack London · 1120L
A Separate PeaceJohn Knowles · 1110L
1984George Orwell · 1090L
Why each is a match
- Pride and Prejudice1100L
- A close reading level (1100L vs 1170L) and the same era (1810s).
- Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon920L
- Shares themes of science and ethics and a close reading level (920L vs 1170L).
- A Tale of Two Cities1170L
- A close reading level (1170L vs 1170L).
- Animal Farm1170L
- A close reading level (1170L vs 1170L).
- Great Expectations1150L
- A close reading level (1150L vs 1170L).
- Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults)1130L
- A close reading level (1130L vs 1170L).
- The Odyssey1130L
- A close reading level (1130L vs 1170L).
- The Call of the Wild1120L
- A close reading level (1120L vs 1170L).
- A Separate Peace1110L
- A close reading level (1110L vs 1170L).
- 19841090L
- A close reading level (1090L vs 1170L).