Books Like Fish in a Tree: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 4–7
If your reader loved Fish in a Tree, these 12 books hit the same notes — disability, friendship, and school — all kept in the grades 4–7 reading band.
How these were chosen: matched deterministically from a verified catalog — shared themes, same genre, close reading level, and an overlapping grade band. No guesswork; each book's reason lists only the attributes that actually matched.
The 12 books most like Fish in a Tree
- Hello, UniverseErin Entrada Kelly
Hello, Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (690L vs 550L).
- Out of My MindSharon M. Draper
Out of My Mind
by Sharon M. Draper
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of disability and friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 550L).
- WonderR.J. Palacio
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 550L).
- Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble MagnetZanib Mian
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
by Zanib Mian
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and school, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
- The 13-Story TreehouseAndy Griffiths
The 13-Story Treehouse
by Andy Griffiths
Middle Grade FictionGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (560L vs 550L).
- The War That Saved My LifeKimberly Brubaker Bradley
The War That Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)Grades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of disability and resilience and a close reading level (580L vs 550L).
- The Season of Styx MaloneKekla Magoon
The Season of Styx Malone
by Kekla Magoon
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (510L vs 550L).
- Big Nate: In a Class by HimselfLincoln Peirce
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
by Lincoln Peirce
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and school and a close reading level (500L vs 550L).
- The Adventures of Captain UnderpantsDav Pilkey
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Middle Grade FictionGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and school, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 550L).
- Diary of a Wimpy KidJeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and school, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- BlubberJudy Blume
Blubber
by Judy Blume
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, school, and bullying and overlapping grades (4–7).
- Confessions of a Class ClownArianne Costner
Confessions of a Class Clown
by Arianne Costner
Middle Grade FictionGrades 6–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and school, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–8).
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