# Books like The One and Only Ivan

**10** books similar to *The One and Only Ivan* by Katherine Applegate (Middle Grade Animal Fiction · 570L · grades 3–7), matched on shared themes, shared award lists, 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:** animal welfare, captivity and freedom, friendship across species, empathy, art and storytelling
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/the-one-and-only-ivan
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [Wonder](https://readinglist.school/book/wonder) by R.J. Palacio _(790L · Grades 3–7)_ — Shares themes of empathy, both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list (+3 more shared lists), and a close reading level (790L vs 570L).
- [Refugee](https://readinglist.school/book/refugee) by Alan Gratz _(800L · Grades 5–9)_ — Shares themes of empathy, both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (800L vs 570L).
- [The War That Saved My Life](https://readinglist.school/book/the-war-that-saved-my-life) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley _(580L · Grades 4–7)_ — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), a close reading level (580L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).
- [Fish in a Tree](https://readinglist.school/book/fish-in-a-tree) by Lynda Mullaly Hunt _(550L · Grades 4–7)_ — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), a close reading level (550L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).
- [Wishtree](https://readinglist.school/book/wishtree) by Katherine Applegate _(590L · Grades 3–6)_ — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), a close reading level (590L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).
- [Because of Winn-Dixie](https://readinglist.school/book/because-of-winn-dixie) by Kate DiCamillo _(610L · Grades 3–5)_ — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+3 more shared lists) and a close reading level (610L vs 570L).
- [Front Desk](https://readinglist.school/book/front-desk) by Kelly Yang _(640L · Grades 3–7)_ — Both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), a close reading level (640L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).
- [Out of My Mind](https://readinglist.school/book/out-of-my-mind) by Sharon M. Draper _(700L · Grades 4–7)_ — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), a close reading level (700L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).
- [Shiloh](https://readinglist.school/book/shiloh) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor _(890L · Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of animal welfare, both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [Blended](https://readinglist.school/book/blended) by Sharon M. Draper _(610L · Grades 3–7)_ — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list (+1 more shared list), a close reading level (610L vs 570L), and the same era (2010s).

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