Books like Scythe

If you liked Scythe, read The False Prince, Among the Hidden, or Steelheart — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Scythe by Neal Shusterman (Science Fiction · grades 7–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of mortality, power, and ethics. 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 7–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Scythe

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Why each is a match

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The False Princegrades 5–9
Shares themes of power, both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (5–9). Amazon →
Among the Hiddengrades 5–8
Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Science Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon →
Steelheartgrades 7–12
Shares themes of power, same genre (Science Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–12). Amazon →
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25grades 6–9
Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Science Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–9). Amazon →
The Fault in Our Stars850L
Shares themes of mortality, both on the Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA) list, and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Divergentgrades 8–12
Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (8–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Ghost Boys360L
Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
New Kidgrades 4–8
Both on the Volunteer State Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Out of My Mind700L
Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Refugee800L
Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–9), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →

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

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

  • 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass · grades 3–5 — Both on the Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA) list (+2 more shared lists) and the same era (2010s).
  • Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea · grades 3–5 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein · grades 4–6 — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+4 more shared lists) and the same era (2010s).
  • Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret · grades 3–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Restart by Gordon Korman · 730L — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+3 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).

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

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

  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein · grades 4–6 — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+4 more shared lists) and the same era (2010s).
  • Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret · grades 3–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Restart by Gordon Korman · 730L — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+3 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson · 440L — Both on the Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA) list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Smile by Raina Telgemeier · 410L — Both on the Oregon Reader's Choice Award (ORCA) list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (2010s).

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

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

  • The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Science Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10).
  • The Selection by Kiera Cass · grades 7–12 — Both on the Volunteer State Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (7–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson · 1130L — Shares themes of power and overlapping grades (9–12).
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins · 810L — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+3 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (6–9).
  • Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen · grades 6–9 — Both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (6–9).

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

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