What books are similar to Rapunzel?

The 10 closest matches to Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky on ReadingList include The Wishing Spell, Saint George and the Dragon, Smoky Mountain Rose, The Christmas of the Reddle Moon, and A Tale Dark and Grimm. Each is scored on shared themes (fairy tales, folklore, and rapunzel (tale)), shared award lists, genre, and reading level (grades 1–4), and links to the curricula, states, and grades where it is assigned in US schools, with primary sources.

Are books like Rapunzel reading-level appropriate?

Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades 1–4), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.

How does ReadingList choose similar books?

Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Books like Rapunzel

If you liked Rapunzel, read The Wishing Spell, Saint George and the Dragon, or Smoky Mountain Rose — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky (Fantasy · grades 1–4)? It’s most often read for its themes of fairy tales, folklore, and rapunzel (tale). 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 1–4 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

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.

Try it on audio — free. Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

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.

The Wishing Spellgrades 3–8: Shares themes of fairy tales and magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
Saint George and the Dragongrades 1–4: Shares themes of folklore, both on the Caldecott Medal list, and same genre (Fantasy). Amazon → books like this →
Smoky Mountain Rosegrades 3–5: Shares themes of fairy tales and folklore and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
The Christmas of the Reddle Moongrades 3–5: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
A Tale Dark and Grimmgrades 4–7: Shares themes of fairy tales, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Amari and the Night Brothersgrades 4–7: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Keeper of the Lost Citiesgrades 4–8: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (4–8). Amazon → books like this →
Mary Poppinsgrades 4–6: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Peter and the Starcatchersgrades 3–8: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
The Forbidden Librarygrades 2–8: Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (2–8). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Rapunzel for younger readers (K–2)

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

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema · grades K–3 — Shares themes of folklore, both on the Caldecott Medal list, and overlapping grades (K–3).
The Legend of Mackinac Island by Kathy-jo Wargin · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of folklore and overlapping grades (2–8).
Black and White by David Macaulay · grades K–3 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (1990s).
Golem by David Wisniewski · grades K–3 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (1990s).
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback · grades K–3 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (1990s).

Books like Rapunzel for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer · grades 3–7 — Shares themes of fairy tales, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–7).
The Lifters by Dave Eggers · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
Word Eater by Mary Amato · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema · grades K–3 — Shares themes of folklore, both on the Caldecott Medal list, and overlapping grades (K–3).

Books like Rapunzel for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer · grades 3–7 — Shares themes of fairy tales, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–7).
The Lifters by Dave Eggers · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
Word Eater by Mary Amato · grades 3–8 — Shares themes of magic, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine · grades 4–7 — Same genre (Fantasy), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (1990s).

Books like Rapunzel for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 9–12— same scoring, different audience.

A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody · grades 7–12 — Same genre (Fantasy).
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross · grades 9–12 — Same genre (Fantasy).
Eragon by Christopher Paolini · grades 6–9 — Same genre (Fantasy).
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan · grades 5–9 — Same genre (Fantasy).
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan · grades 5–9 — Same genre (Fantasy).

Common questions

What books are similar to Rapunzel?: The 10 closest matches to Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky on ReadingList include The Wishing Spell, Saint George and the Dragon, Smoky Mountain Rose, The Christmas of the Reddle Moon, and A Tale Dark and Grimm. Each is scored on shared themes (fairy tales, folklore, and rapunzel (tale)), shared award lists, genre, and reading level (grades 1–4), and links to the curricula, states, and grades where it is assigned in US schools, with primary sources.
Are books like Rapunzel reading-level appropriate?: Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades 1–4), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.
How does ReadingList choose similar books?: Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Book data last updated 2026-09-05. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

← Back to Rapunzel