Books like The BFG

Looking for books like The BFG by Roald Dahl (Middle Grade Fiction · 720L · grades 3–6)? It’s most often read for its themes of friendship, courage, and imagination. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, 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 3–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The BFG

Why each is a match

The Adventures of Captain Underpants720L
Shares themes of friendship and imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 720L).
James and the Giant Peach870L
Shares themes of friendship and imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (870L vs 720L).
Number the Stars670L
Shares themes of friendship and courage and a close reading level (670L vs 720L).
Out of My Mind700L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 720L).
Hello, Universe690L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (690L vs 720L).
Pax760L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (760L vs 720L).
Holes660L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (660L vs 720L).
The Cricket in Times Square780L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (780L vs 720L).
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 720L).
Wonder790L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 720L).

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