# Books like Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

**10** books similar to *Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key* by Jack Gantos (Realistic Fiction · grades 6–8), matched on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level. Every pick is grade-appropriate (a reading-level match, not just a topical one) and links to where it is assigned in US schools.

**Themes:** schools, single-parent families
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/joey-pigza-swallowed-the-key
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [Math Curse](https://readinglist.school/book/math-curse) by Jon Scieszka _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- [Spying on Miss Müller](https://readinglist.school/book/spying-on-miss-m-ller) by Eve Bunting _(Grades 6–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–8).
- [There's a Girl in My Hammerlock](https://readinglist.school/book/theres-a-girl-in-my-hammerlock) by Jerry Spinelli _(Grades 6–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and overlapping grades (6–8).
- [Dead End in Norvelt](https://readinglist.school/book/dead-end-in-norvelt) by Jack Gantos _(Grades 4–7)_ — Is by Jack Gantos, the same author and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Daphne's Book](https://readinglist.school/book/daphnes-book) by Mary Downing Hahn _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- [Each Kindness](https://readinglist.school/book/each-kindness) by Jacqueline Woodson _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Mr. Lincoln's Way](https://readinglist.school/book/mr-lincolns-way) by Patricia Polacco _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Saving Zasha](https://readinglist.school/book/saving-zasha) by Randi G. Barrow _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of single-parent families, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
- [Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You](https://readinglist.school/book/sixth-grade-can-really-kill-you) by Barthe DeClements _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
- [The Perfect Score](https://readinglist.school/book/the-perfect-score) by Rob Buyea _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).

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