Books like The Running Dream

If you liked The Running Dream, read The War That Saved My Life, Wonder, or The Hunger Games — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, 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 7–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Running Dream

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Why each is a match

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The War That Saved My Life580L
Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Wonder790L
Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
The Hunger Games810L
Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (6–9). Amazon →
Wait Till Helen Comesgrades 4–7
Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon →
After Ever Aftergrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Anger Is a Giftgrades 9–12
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Anything But Typicalgrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
As Brave As Yougrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Becoming Naomi Leon (Scholastic Gold)grades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Close to Famousgrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →

Books like The Running Dream for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein · grades 4–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo · 610L — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn · grades 3–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass · grades 3–5 — Both on the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list and the same era (2010s).
  • A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean · grades 3–6 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2010s).

Books like The Running Dream for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein · grades 4–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn · grades 3–6 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean · grades 3–6 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2010s).
  • Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein · grades 7–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • El Deafo by Cece Bell · 420L — Both on the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list and the same era (2010s).

Books like The Running Dream for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 9–12— same scoring, different audience.

  • Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein · grades 7–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (8–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Girls Like Us by Gail Giles · grades 9–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby · grades 7–10 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–10), and the same era (2010s).
  • Legend by Marie Lu · grades 6–9 — Both on the Nebraska Golden Sower Award list, overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2010s).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

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