Books like Sounder

If you liked Sounder, read Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Dark Frigate, or The Midwife's Apprentice — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Sounder by William H. Armstrong (Fiction · grades 3–7)? 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 3–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Sounder

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

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Why each is a match

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Island of the Blue Dolphins1000L
Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (1960s). Amazon → books like this →
The Dark Frigategrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
The Midwife's Apprenticegrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtzegrades 3–7
Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7). Amazon → books like this →
Because of Winn-Dixie610L
Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
Bud, Not Buddy950L
Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Dear Mr. Henshawgrades 4–6
Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Holes660L
Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
How to Eat Fried Wormsgrades 3–6
Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
Maniac Magee820L
Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →

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

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

  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien · 790L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • New Kid by Jerry Craft · grades 4–8 — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–8).
  • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · 890L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (3–6).
  • The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan · 740L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman · grades 3–7 — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7).

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

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

  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien · 790L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6).
  • New Kid by Jerry Craft · grades 4–8 — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–8).
  • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · 890L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (3–6).
  • The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan · 740L — Both on the Mark Twain Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman · grades 3–7 — Both on the Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7).

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

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