Books like Global

If you liked Global, read Swim Team, The Trumpet of the Swan, or Brick Dust and Bones — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes and reading level.

Looking for books like Global by Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin (Middle Grade Graphic Novel · grades 6–8)? It’s most often read for its themes of courage, nature, and perseverance. The 10 titles below 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 6–8 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Global

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Why each is a match

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Swim Teamgrades 3–7
Shares themes of courage and perseverance, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon →
The Trumpet of the Swangrades 3–6
Shares themes of courage, nature, and perseverance and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon →
Brick Dust and Bonesgrades 6–8
Shares themes of courage and perseverance and overlapping grades (6–8). Amazon →
Dogtowngrades 3–6
Shares themes of courage and perseverance and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon →
Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knightgrades 3–6
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon →
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatlgrades 6–8
Shares themes of courage and perseverance and overlapping grades (6–8). Amazon →
Skyridersgrades 6–8
Shares themes of courage and perseverance and overlapping grades (6–8). Amazon →
Wildfulgrades 4–8
Shares themes of nature, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–8). Amazon →
Rascalgrades 5–8
Shares themes of nature and perseverance and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Roller Girl440L
Shares themes of perseverance, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →

Books like Global for younger readers (K–2)

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

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

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

  • Hoops by Matt Tavares · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of courage and perseverance, both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list, and same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel).
  • Punycorn by Andi Watson · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of courage and perseverance and same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel).
  • Bea and the New Deal Horse by L. M. Elliott · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of courage and perseverance and both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list.
  • Curveball by Pablo Cartaya · grades 3–5 — Shares themes of perseverance and same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel).
  • Knight Owl by Christopher Denise · grades K–3 — Shares themes of courage and perseverance.

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

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

  • Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe by Jo Watson Hackl · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of nature and perseverance and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango · grades 6–8 — Shares themes of perseverance, both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list, and overlapping grades (6–8).
  • Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of nature and perseverance and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • The Last Hope in Hopetown by Maria Tureaud · grades 6–8 — Shares themes of courage, both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list, and overlapping grades (6–8).
  • The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway · 940L — Shares themes of nature and perseverance and overlapping grades (8–12).

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

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

  • Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross · grades 9–12 — Shares themes of courage and both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list.
  • Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard by Ronald Wimberly · grades 9–12 — Shares themes of courage and both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list.
  • The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway · 940L — Shares themes of nature and perseverance and overlapping grades (8–12).
  • Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen · grades 6–9 — Shares themes of courage and nature and overlapping grades (6–9).
  • Sky's End by Marc J. Gregson · grades 7–12 — Shares themes of courage and overlapping grades (7–12).

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

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