Books like Holes

If you liked Holes, read Out of My Mind, Because of Winn-Dixie, or Wonder — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Holes by Louis Sachar (Middle Grade Fiction · 660L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of fate vs choice, friendship, and justice. 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 Holes

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audible30-day trial

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Amazon links below are affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Out of My Mind700L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Because of Winn-Dixie610L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+13 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Wonder790L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+14 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Hello, Universe690L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
The Adventures of Captain Underpants720L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Pax760L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Matilda840L
Shares themes of justice, both on the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
The Mouse and the Motorcycle860L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+3 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Number the Stars670L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (670L vs 660L). Amazon →
Walk Two Moons770L
Shares themes of friendship, both on the Newbery Medal list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (770L vs 660L). Amazon →

Books like Holes for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+3 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 660L).
  • The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths · 560L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume · 470L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+4 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (470L vs 660L).
  • Dog Man by Dav Pilkey · 390L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (2–5).
  • Corduroy by Don Freeman · 600L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (600L vs 660L).

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

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

  • The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon · 510L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney · 950L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams · grades 5–8 — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Maine Student Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Swindle by Gordon Korman · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of friendship and justice, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman · grades 3–7 — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).

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

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

  • The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon · 510L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney · 950L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams · grades 5–8 — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Maine Student Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • Swindle by Gordon Korman · grades 4–7 — Shares themes of friendship and justice, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly · grades 6–8 — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).

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

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

  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas · 590L — Both on the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award list (+2 more shared lists) and a close reading level (590L vs 660L).
  • Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen · grades 6–9 — Shares themes of justice, both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (6–9).
  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 630L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (630L vs 660L).
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson · 690L — Both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), a close reading level (690L vs 660L), and the same era (1990s).
  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky · 720L — Shares themes of friendship and a close reading level (720L vs 660L).

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

← Back to Holes