Books Like Ghost: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 5–8
If your reader loved Ghost, these 12 books hit the same notes — running, family violence, and mentorship — all kept in the grades 5–8 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 Ghost
- Save Me a SeatSarah Weeks
Save Me a Seat
by Sarah Weeks
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and a close reading level (780L vs 730L).
- The Westing GameEllen Raskin
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
MysteryGrades 5–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and teamwork and a close reading level (750L vs 730L).
- Walk Two MoonsSharon Creech
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Realistic FictionGrades 5–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and a close reading level (770L vs 730L).
- Ghost BoysJewell Parker Rhodes
Ghost Boys
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- RestartGordon Korman
Restart
by Gordon Korman
Middle Grade FictionGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and a close reading level (730L vs 730L).
- The CrossoverKwame Alexander
The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Verse NovelGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and a close reading level (750L vs 730L).
- Merci Suárez Changes GearsMeg Medina
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
by Meg Medina
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and a close reading level (700L vs 730L).
- The Poet XElizabeth Acevedo
The Poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Young Adult FictionGrades 8–12
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and a close reading level (800L vs 730L).
- Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous LifeRachel Renée Russell
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
by Rachel Renée Russell
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and a close reading level (890L vs 730L).
- Black Brother, Black BrotherJewell Parker Rhodes
Black Brother, Black Brother
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Realistic FictionGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- BlubberJudy Blume
Blubber
by Judy Blume
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- Dear Mr. HenshawBeverly Cleary
Dear Mr. Henshaw
by Beverly Cleary
Realistic FictionGrades 4–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
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