Books like Number the Stars
Looking for books like Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Historical Fiction (Middle Grade) · 670L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of courage, friendship, and Holocaust. 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 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.
10 books similar to Number the Stars
Sarah, Plain and TallPatricia MacLachlan · 660L
The BFGRoald Dahl · 720L
Out of My MindSharon M. Draper · 700L
The OutsidersS.E. Hinton · 750L
The War That Saved My LifeKimberly Brubaker Bradley · 580L
Walk Two MoonsSharon Creech · 770L
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHRobert C. O'Brien · 790L
WonderR.J. Palacio · 790L
The Devil's ArithmeticJane Yolen · 730L- The Season of Styx MaloneK.M.The Season of Styx MaloneKekla Magoon · 510L
Why each is a match
- Sarah, Plain and Tall660L
- Shares themes of family, same genre (Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)), and a close reading level (660L vs 670L).
- The BFG720L
- Shares themes of courage and friendship and a close reading level (720L vs 670L).
- Out of My Mind700L
- Shares themes of friendship and family and a close reading level (700L vs 670L).
- The Outsiders750L
- Shares themes of friendship and family and a close reading level (750L vs 670L).
- The War That Saved My Life580L
- Shares themes of family, same genre (Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)), and a close reading level (580L vs 670L).
- Walk Two Moons770L
- Shares themes of friendship and family and a close reading level (770L vs 670L).
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
- Shares themes of courage and family and a close reading level (790L vs 670L).
- Wonder790L
- Shares themes of friendship and family and a close reading level (790L vs 670L).
- The Devil's Arithmetic730L
- Shares themes of Holocaust and a close reading level (730L vs 670L).
- The Season of Styx Malone510L
- Shares themes of friendship and family and a close reading level (510L vs 670L).