# Books like The One and Only Ruby

**10** books similar to *The One and Only Ruby* by Katherine Applegate (Middle Grade Fiction · grades 2–5), 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:** animals, family, memory, belonging
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/the-one-and-only-ruby
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [Boy 2.0](https://readinglist.school/book/boy-2-0) by Tracey Baptiste _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of family and belonging, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- [Onyx & Beyond](https://readinglist.school/book/onyx-and-beyond) by Amber McBride _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of family and memory, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [The Firefly Summer](https://readinglist.school/book/the-firefly-summer) by Morgan Matson _(Grades 3–7)_ — Shares themes of family and belonging, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- [The Wrong Way Home](https://readinglist.school/book/the-wrong-way-home) by Kate O'Shaughnessy _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of family and belonging, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- [Jawbreaker](https://readinglist.school/book/jawbreaker) by Christina Wyman _(Grades 3–7)_ — Shares themes of family, both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
- [Old Yeller](https://readinglist.school/book/old-yeller) by Fred Gipson _(Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of animals and family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [Rascal](https://readinglist.school/book/rascal) by Sterling North _(Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of animals and family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [Roll for Initiative](https://readinglist.school/book/roll-for-initiative) by Jaime Formato _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of family, both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
- [Summer of the Monkeys](https://readinglist.school/book/summer-of-the-monkeys) by Wilson Rawls _(Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of animals and family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Diary of a Wimpy Kid](https://readinglist.school/book/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid) by Jeff Kinney _(950L · Grades 3–7)_ — Shares themes of family, both on the Garden State Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).

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