Books like How to Steal a Dog

If you liked How to Steal a Dog, read Because of Winn-Dixie, Eleven, or So B. It — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor? 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 3–5 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to How to Steal a Dog

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Why each is a match

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Because of Winn-Dixie610L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2000s). Amazon →
Elevengrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2000s). Amazon →
So B. Itgrades 5–8
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2000s). Amazon →
The City of Embergrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2000s). Amazon →
11 Birthdaysgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon →
A Million Ways Homegrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Librarygrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon →
Fish in a Tree550L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
Frindle830L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon →
Ghost730L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →

Books like How to Steal a Dog for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes · 360L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5).
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen · 1020L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5).
  • Life on Mars by Jennifer Brown · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5).

Books like How to Steal a Dog for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Confetti Girl by Diana López · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes · 360L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • Ground Zero by Alan Gratz · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen · 1020L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8).

Books like How to Steal a Dog for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list and the same era (2000s).
  • Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli · grades 6–9 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list and the same era (2000s).
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins · 810L — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list and the same era (2000s).
  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list and the same era (2000s).

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

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