Books like Freewater

If you liked Freewater, read Flora and Ulysses, Unspeakable, or When You Trap a Tiger — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson? 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 Freewater

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Flora and Ulyssesgrades 4–7
Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
Unspeakablegrades 3–7
Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
When You Trap a Tigergrades 4–7
Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon →
Bad News for Outlawsgrades 3–7
Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon →
Dead End in Norveltgrades 4–7
Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)grades 5–8
Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
New Kidgrades 4–8
Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–8). Amazon →
P.S. Be Elevengrades 5–8
Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
The One and Only Ivan570L
Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon →
When You Reach Me750L
Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–8). Amazon →

Books like Freewater for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • A Journey Under the Sea by Craig Foster · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • A Lot to Like! by Derek Anderson · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • Blue by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond · grades K–4 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (K–4), and the same era (2020s).
  • Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).

Books like Freewater for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • A Journey Under the Sea by Craig Foster · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • A Lot to Like! by Derek Anderson · grades 2–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga · grades 4–5 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–5), and the same era (2020s).
  • All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (2020s).
  • Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston · grades 4–7 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s).

Books like Freewater for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson · grades 3–7 — Both on the Newbery Medal list, overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (2020s).
  • Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston · grades 4–7 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s).
  • Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson · grades 5–8 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2020s).
  • Class Act by Jerry Craft · grades 4–8 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (2020s).
  • Duel by Jessixa Bagley · grades 4–8 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (2020s).

Books like Freewater for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt · grades 6–9 — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2020s).
  • Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi · grades 9–12 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • Twenty-Four Seconds from Now . . . by Jason Reynolds · grades 7–10 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Author Award list, overlapping grades (7–10), and the same era (2020s).

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

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