Books like Maniac Magee

If you liked Maniac Magee, read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Wonder, or Ramona the Pest — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Middle Grade Fiction · 820L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of race, homelessness, and family. 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 Maniac Magee

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.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
Shares themes of family, both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+4 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Wonder790L
Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+12 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Ramona the Pest750L
Shares themes of family, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Bud, Not Buddy950L
Shares themes of race and family, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (950L vs 820L). Amazon →
Out of My Mind700L
Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Blended610L
Shares themes of race and family, both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Diary of a Wimpy Kid950L
Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+7 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1)1010L
Shares themes of family, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing470L
Shares themes of family, both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory810L
Shares themes of family, both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon →

Books like Maniac Magee for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary · 860L — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+3 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (860L vs 820L).
  • The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey · 720L — Both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 820L).
  • The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate · grades 2–5 — Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (2–5).
  • Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey · 730L — Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (730L vs 820L).
  • Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne · 510L — Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (1–4).

Books like Maniac Magee for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (830L vs 820L).
  • Matilda by Roald Dahl · 840L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (840L vs 820L).
  • Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary · 860L — Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary · 860L — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+3 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (860L vs 820L).
  • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · 890L — Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+15 more shared lists), and a close reading level (890L vs 820L).

Books like Maniac Magee for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (830L vs 820L).
  • Matilda by Roald Dahl · 840L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (840L vs 820L).
  • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · 890L — Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+15 more shared lists), and a close reading level (890L vs 820L).
  • The Crossover by Kwame Alexander · 750L — Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+5 more shared lists), and a close reading level (750L vs 820L).
  • Front Desk by Kelly Yang · 640L — Shares themes of race and family, both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (640L vs 820L).

Books like Maniac Magee 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 — Shares themes of race and family, both on the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (590L vs 820L).
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz · 800L — Shares themes of family, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (800L vs 820L).
  • The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd · 840L — Shares themes of race and family and a close reading level (840L vs 820L).
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins · 810L — Both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+7 more shared lists) and a close reading level (810L vs 820L).
  • The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo · 800L — Shares themes of family, both on the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award list, and a close reading level (800L vs 820L).

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

← Back to Maniac Magee