# 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

- [Because of Winn-Dixie](https://readinglist.school/book/because-of-winn-dixie) by Kate DiCamillo _(610L · Grades 3–5)_ — Is by Kate DiCamillo, the same author, both on the Blue Hen Book Award (Delaware Library Association, Youth Services Division) — Middle Readers division list (+11 more shared lists), and a close reading level (610L vs 670L).
- [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 (+4 more shared lists), same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy), and a close reading level (740L vs 670L).
- [The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane](https://readinglist.school/book/the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane) by Kate DiCamillo _(Grades 3–6)_ — Is by Kate DiCamillo, the same author, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list (+4 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [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 (Delaware Library Association, Youth Services Division) — Middle Readers division 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).
- [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).
- [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).
- [A Game of Noctis](https://readinglist.school/book/a-game-of-noctis) by Deva Fagan _(Grades 3–6)_ — Both on the Maine Student Book Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- [Saving Shiloh](https://readinglist.school/book/saving-shiloh) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor _(Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of forgiveness, both on the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy](https://readinglist.school/book/wings-of-fire-the-dragonet-prophecy) by Tui T. Sutherland _(720L · Grades 3–7)_ — Both on the Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fantasy), and a close reading level (720L vs 670L).

---

_Generated from ReadingList.school. HTML view: https://readinglist.school/similar/the-tale-of-despereaux._