# Books like Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe

**10** books similar to *Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe* by Jo Watson Hackl (Realistic Fiction · grades 4–7), matched on shared themes, 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:** survival, grief, nature, perseverance
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/smack-dab-in-the-middle-of-maybe
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [A Long Walk to Water](https://readinglist.school/book/a-long-walk-to-water) by Linda Sue Park _(720L · Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of survival and perseverance and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [The Wild Robot](https://readinglist.school/book/the-wild-robot) by Peter Brown _(740L · Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of survival and nature and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [Dogtown](https://readinglist.school/book/dogtown) by Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of perseverance, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [Hatchet](https://readinglist.school/book/hatchet) by Gary Paulsen _(1020L · Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of survival and nature and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [Island of the Blue Dolphins](https://readinglist.school/book/island-of-the-blue-dolphins) by Scott O'Dell _(1000L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of survival and nature and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Walk Two Moons](https://readinglist.school/book/walk-two-moons) by Sharon Creech _(770L · Grades 5–7)_ — Shares themes of grief, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–7).
- [Where the Red Fern Grows](https://readinglist.school/book/where-the-red-fern-grows) by Wilson Rawls _(700L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of grief and perseverance and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Front Desk](https://readinglist.school/book/front-desk) by Kelly Yang _(640L · Grades 3–7)_ — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (2010s).
- [Ghost](https://readinglist.school/book/ghost) by Jason Reynolds _(730L · Grades 5–8)_ — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
- [Ghost Boys](https://readinglist.school/book/ghost-boys) by Jewell Parker Rhodes _(360L · Grades 4–7)_ — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).

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