Books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Looking for books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (Middle Grade Fiction · 790L · grades 4–6)? It’s most often read for its themes of family, courage, and science and ethics. 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 4–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Why each is a match

Out of My Mind700L
Shares themes of family and intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 790L).
Wonder790L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 790L).
Maniac Magee820L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 790L).
Frindle830L
Shares themes of intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (830L vs 790L).
Ramona the Pest750L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 790L).
Matilda840L
Shares themes of intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (840L vs 790L).
The BFG720L
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 790L).
Shiloh890L
Shares themes of family and courage and a close reading level (890L vs 790L).
Mr. Popper's Penguins910L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (910L vs 790L).
Number the Stars670L
Shares themes of family and courage and a close reading level (670L vs 790L).

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