# Books like The Pinballs

**10** books similar to *The Pinballs* by Betsy Cromer Byars (Realistic Fiction · grades 4–6), 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:** foster home care, friendship, friendship in fiction, foster home care in fiction
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/the-pinballs
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [The Computer Nut](https://readinglist.school/book/the-computer-nut) by Betsy Cromer Byars _(Grades 4–6)_ — Is by Betsy Cromer Byars, the same author, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Dogtown](https://readinglist.school/book/dogtown) by Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Each Kindness](https://readinglist.school/book/each-kindness) by Jacqueline Woodson _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Eight Keys](https://readinglist.school/book/eight-keys) by Suzanne M. LaFleur _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Hoot](https://readinglist.school/book/hoot) by Carl Hiaasen _(760L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Wisconsin Golden Archer Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [How to Eat Fried Worms](https://readinglist.school/book/how-to-eat-fried-worms) by Thomas Rockwell _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the California Young Reader Medal list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [My Dog, My Hero](https://readinglist.school/book/my-dog-my-hero) by Betsy Cromer Byars _(Grades 3–5)_ — Is by Betsy Cromer Byars, the same author, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–5).
- [Shoeshine Girl](https://readinglist.school/book/shoeshine-girl) by Clyde Robert Bulla _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [Stonewords: A Ghost Story](https://readinglist.school/book/stonewords-a-ghost-story) by Pam Conrad _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the California Young Reader Medal list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).
- [The Magic of the Glits](https://readinglist.school/book/the-magic-of-the-glits) by Carole S. Adler _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of friendship, both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list, and same genre (Realistic Fiction).

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