Books like Rebound

If you liked Rebound, read The Crossover, The Poet X, or Where the Red Fern Grows — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Rebound by Kwame Alexander (Verse Novel · 780L · grades 5–8)? It’s most often read for its themes of family, grief and memory, and coming of age. 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 5–8 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Rebound

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Why each is a match

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The Crossover750L
Shares themes of family and basketball, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Verse Novel). Amazon →
The Poet X800L
Shares themes of family and coming of age and a close reading level (800L vs 780L). Amazon →
Where the Red Fern Grows700L
Shares themes of family and coming of age, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (700L vs 780L). Amazon →
Other Words for Home930L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Verse Novel), and a close reading level (930L vs 780L). Amazon →
Wonder790L
Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (790L vs 780L). Amazon →
One Crazy Summer750L
Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 780L). Amazon →
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet820L
Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (820L vs 780L). Amazon →
Little Women1300L
Shares themes of family and coming of age, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and overlapping grades (7–10). Amazon →
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (790L vs 780L). Amazon →
Tuck Everlasting770L
Shares themes of coming of age, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (770L vs 780L). Amazon →

Books like Rebound for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K2— same scoring, different audience.

  • Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 780L).
  • 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 780L).
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary · 860L Shares themes of coming of age, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (860L vs 780L).
  • I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis · 590L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (590L vs 780L).
  • Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows · 580L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (580L vs 780L).

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

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 35— same scoring, different audience.

  • Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech · 770L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (770L vs 780L).
  • Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai · 800L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (800L vs 780L).
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz · 800L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (800L vs 780L).
  • Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 780L).
  • Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (820L vs 780L).

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

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 68— same scoring, different audience.

  • Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech · 770L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (770L vs 780L).
  • Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai · 800L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (800L vs 780L).
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz · 800L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (800L vs 780L).
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry · 760L Shares themes of coming of age, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (760L vs 780L).
  • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton · 750L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 780L).

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

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 912— same scoring, different audience.

  • The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd · 840L Shares themes of family and coming of age and a close reading level (840L vs 780L).
  • Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · 920L Shares themes of family and coming of age and a close reading level (920L vs 780L).
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz · 800L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (800L vs 780L).
  • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton · 750L Shares themes of family, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (750L vs 780L).
  • Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds · 720L Shares themes of family and a close reading level (720L vs 780L).

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

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