Books like James and the Giant Peach

Looking for books like James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Middle Grade Fiction · 870L · grades 3–6)? It’s most often read for its themes of escape, friendship, and imagination. 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 3–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to James and the Giant Peach

Why each is a match

The Adventures of Captain Underpants720L
Shares themes of friendship and imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 870L).
The BFG720L
Shares themes of friendship and imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 870L).
The Mouse and the Motorcycle860L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (860L vs 870L).
Frindle830L
Shares themes of imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (830L vs 870L).
Mr. Popper's Penguins910L
Shares themes of imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (910L vs 870L).
Stuart Little920L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (920L vs 870L).
Bridge to Terabithia810L
Shares themes of friendship and imagination and a close reading level (810L vs 870L).
The Cricket in Times Square780L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (780L vs 870L).
Diary of a Wimpy Kid950L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (950L vs 870L).
Wonder790L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 870L).

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