# 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

- [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).
- [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).
- [Blubber](https://readinglist.school/book/blubber) by Judy Blume _(Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [A Boy Named Queen](https://readinglist.school/book/a-boy-named-queen) by Sara Cassidy _(Grades 3–8)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
- [All the Money in the World](https://readinglist.school/book/all-the-money-in-the-world) by Bill Brittain _(Grades 4–6)_ — Both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [Dogtown](https://readinglist.school/book/dogtown) by Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life](https://readinglist.school/book/dork-diaries-tales-from-a-not-so-fabulous-life) by Rachel Renée Russell _(890L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Fourth Grade Rats](https://readinglist.school/book/fourth-grade-rats) by Jerry Spinelli _(Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- [Hoot](https://readinglist.school/book/hoot) by Carl Hiaasen _(760L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All](https://readinglist.school/book/magnolia-wu-unfolds-it-all) by Chanel Miller _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).

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