Books like The Agathas

If you liked The Agathas, read Under the Surface, How to Survive Your Murder, or Not Quite Dead Yet — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes and reading level.

Looking for books like The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow (Mystery · grades 9–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of mystery, friendship, and justice. 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 9–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Agathas

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

Listen free on Audible30-day trial

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.

Under the Surfacegrades 7–12
Shares themes of mystery and friendship, same genre (Mystery), and overlapping grades (7–12). Amazon →
How to Survive Your Murdergrades 9–12
Shares themes of mystery, same genre (Mystery), and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Not Quite Dead Yetgrades 7–12
Shares themes of mystery, same genre (Mystery), and overlapping grades (7–12). Amazon →
That's Not My Namegrades 9–12
Shares themes of mystery, same genre (Mystery), and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
The Reappearance of Rachel Pricegrades 7–12
Shares themes of mystery, same genre (Mystery), and overlapping grades (7–12). Amazon →
Shut Up, This Is Seriousgrades 9–12
Shares themes of friendship, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Touching Spirit Beargrades 6–9
Shares themes of justice, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and overlapping grades (6–9). Amazon →
Four for the Roadgrades 9–12
Shares themes of friendship and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
Murder Among Friendsgrades 9–12
Shares themes of justice and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →
The Silence That Binds Usgrades 9–12
Shares themes of justice and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon →

Books like The Agathas for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • A Mischief of Mice by Christie Matheson · grades K–3 Shares themes of mystery and friendship.
  • Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams · grades 2–8 Shares themes of mystery and same genre (Mystery).
  • Gibberish by Young Vo · grades K–3 Shares themes of friendship and both on the California Young Reader Medal list.
  • Knight Owl by Christopher Denise · grades K–3 Shares themes of friendship and both on the California Young Reader Medal list.
  • A Lot to Like! by Derek Anderson · grades 2–5 Shares themes of friendship.

Books like The Agathas for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective by Janet Tashjian · grades 3–6 Shares themes of mystery and friendship and same genre (Mystery).
  • Swindle by Gordon Korman · grades 4–7 Shares themes of friendship and justice and same genre (Mystery).
  • The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin · 750L Shares themes of mystery and justice and same genre (Mystery).
  • A Mischief of Mice by Christie Matheson · grades K–3 Shares themes of mystery and friendship.
  • A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga · grades 3–6 Shares themes of mystery and friendship.

Books like The Agathas for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

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

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

  • Antigone by Sophocles · grades 9–12 Shares themes of justice and overlapping grades (9–12).
  • Drama by Raina Telgemeier · grades 5–9 Shares themes of friendship and overlapping grades (5–9).
  • Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes · 910L Shares themes of friendship and overlapping grades (8–11).
  • Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt · grades 6–9 Both on the California Young Reader Medal list, overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2020s).
  • Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson · 1130L Shares themes of justice and overlapping grades (9–12).

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

← Back to The Agathas