# Books like The Tale of Despereaux

**10** books similar to *The Tale of Despereaux* by Kate DiCamillo (Middle Grade Fantasy · 670L · grades 3–6), 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:** courage, forgiveness, light vs dark, fairy-tale form, underdog narrative
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/the-tale-of-despereaux
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)](https://readinglist.school/book/the-lightning-thief) by Rick Riordan _(740L · Grades 4–7)_ — Both on the Maine Student Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy), and a close reading level (740L vs 670L).
- [Number the Stars](https://readinglist.school/book/number-the-stars) by Lois Lowry _(670L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list (+6 more shared lists), and a close reading level (670L vs 670L).
- [The Graveyard Book](https://readinglist.school/book/the-graveyard-book) by Neil Gaiman _(820L · Grades 5–8)_ — Both on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award (KBA) list (+2 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy), and a close reading level (820L vs 670L).
- [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone](https://readinglist.school/book/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone) by J.K. Rowling _(880L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Blue Hen Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), and same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy).
- [The Witching Wind](https://readinglist.school/book/the-witching-wind) by Natalie Lloyd _(Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Maine Student Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy).
- [Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH](https://readinglist.school/book/mrs-frisby-and-the-rats-of-nimh) by Robert C. O'Brien _(790L · Grades 4–6)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Newbery Medal list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (790L vs 670L).
- [Fablehaven](https://readinglist.school/book/fablehaven) by Brandon Mull _(Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Volunteer State Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy).
- [The BFG](https://readinglist.school/book/the-bfg) by Roald Dahl _(720L · Grades 3–6)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list (+1 more shared list), and a close reading level (720L vs 670L).
- [Because of Winn-Dixie](https://readinglist.school/book/because-of-winn-dixie) by Kate DiCamillo _(610L · Grades 3–5)_ — Both on the Blue Hen Book Award list (+10 more shared lists), a close reading level (610L vs 670L), and the same era (2000s).
- [Amir and the Jinn Princess](https://readinglist.school/book/amir-and-the-jinn-princess) by M. T. Khan _(Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of courage, both on the Maine Student Book Award list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy).

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