Books like Heart and Soul
Looking for books like Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson (Children's Literature · grades 4–8)? 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 4–8 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.
10 books similar to Heart and Soul
- Africa DreamEloise Greenfield
- Justin and the Best Biscuits in the WorldMildred WalterJustin and the Best Biscuits in the WorldMildred Walter
- Shen of the SeaArthur Bowie Chrisman
- The Voyages of Doctor DolittleHugh Lofting
- Will's Race for HomeJewell Parker Rhodes
11 BirthdaysWendy Mass
1919 The Year That Changed AmericaMartin W. Sandler- A Band of AngelsDeborah Hopkinson
A Boy Called BatElana K. Arnold- A Boy Called ChristmasMatt Haig
Reading the whole similar-books list? Open any title for its Amazon listing — or listen to many of them free with a 30-day Audible trial.
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
Why each is a match
- Africa Dreamgrades 4–8
- Same genre (Children's Literature) and overlapping grades (4–8).
- Justin and the Best Biscuits in the Worldgrades 4–8
- Same genre (Children's Literature) and overlapping grades (4–8).
- Shen of the Seagrades 3–7
- Same genre (Children's Literature) and overlapping grades (3–7).
- The Voyages of Doctor Dolittlegrades 3–7
- Same genre (Children's Literature) and overlapping grades (3–7).
- Will's Race for Homegrades 4–8
- Same genre (Children's Literature) and overlapping grades (4–8).
- 11 Birthdaysgrades 3–5
- Overlapping grades (3–5) and the same era (2010s).
- 1919 The Year That Changed Americagrades 7–12
- Overlapping grades (7–12) and the same era (2010s).
- A Band of Angelsgrades K–5
- Overlapping grades (K–5) and the same era (2010s).
- A Boy Called Batgrades 3–5
- Overlapping grades (3–5) and the same era (2010s).
- A Boy Called Christmasgrades 3–10
- Overlapping grades (3–10) and the same era (2010s).