# 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

- [The Cat Ate My Gymsuit](https://readinglist.school/book/the-cat-ate-my-gymsuit) by Paula Danziger _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of schools, both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Flying Solo](https://readinglist.school/book/flying-solo) by Ralph J. Fletcher _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [Fourth Grade Rats](https://readinglist.school/book/fourth-grade-rats) by Jerry Spinelli _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [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).
- [Ramona's World](https://readinglist.school/book/ramonas-world) by Beverly Cleary _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [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).
- [Blackwater](https://readinglist.school/book/blackwater) by Eve Bunting _(Grades 6–8)_ — Both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–8).
- [Eight Keys](https://readinglist.school/book/eight-keys) by Suzanne M. LaFleur _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of schools, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [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).

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