# Books like Out of the Dust

**10** books similar to *Out of the Dust* by Karen Hesse (Middle Grade Verse Novel / Historical Fiction · 740L · grades 5–8), 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:** Great Depression, Dust Bowl, grief and loss, rural Oklahoma, mother-daughter relationship
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/out-of-the-dust
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [One Crazy Summer](https://readinglist.school/book/one-crazy-summer) by Rita Williams-Garcia _(750L · Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of mother-daughter relationship, both on the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (750L vs 740L).
- [Esperanza Rising](https://readinglist.school/book/esperanza-rising) by Pam Muñoz Ryan _(750L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of Great Depression, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (750L vs 740L).
- [Bridge to Terabithia](https://readinglist.school/book/bridge-to-terabithia) by Katherine Paterson _(810L · Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of grief and loss, both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (810L vs 740L).
- [Inside Out & Back Again](https://readinglist.school/book/inside-out-and-back-again) by Thanhha Lai _(800L · Grades 4–8)_ — Same genre (Middle Grade Verse Novel / Historical Fiction) and a close reading level (800L vs 740L).
- [The Cats in Krasinski Square](https://readinglist.school/book/the-cats-in-krasinski-square) by Karen Hesse _(Grades 3–8)_ — Is by Karen Hesse, the same author and overlapping grades (3–8).
- [Dead End in Norvelt](https://readinglist.school/book/dead-end-in-norvelt) by Jack Gantos _(Grades 4–7)_ — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Pie](https://readinglist.school/book/pie) by Sarah Weeks _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of mother-daughter relationship and overlapping grades (3–8).
- [Sarah, Plain and Tall](https://readinglist.school/book/sarah-plain-and-tall) by Patricia MacLachlan _(660L · Grades 3–5)_ — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+2 more shared lists) and a close reading level (660L vs 740L).
- [The Giver](https://readinglist.school/book/the-giver) by Lois Lowry _(760L · Grades 6–8)_ — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+2 more shared lists), a close reading level (760L vs 740L), and the same era (1990s).
- [Walk Two Moons](https://readinglist.school/book/walk-two-moons) by Sharon Creech _(770L · Grades 5–7)_ — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), a close reading level (770L vs 740L), and the same era (1990s).

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