Books Like New Kid: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 4–8
If your reader loved New Kid, these 12 books hit the same notes — race and identity, code-switching, and middle school adjustment — all kept in the grades 4–8 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 New Kid
- 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, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- Dog ManDav Pilkey
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (2–5).
- El DeafoCece Bell
El Deafo
by Cece Bell
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–6).
- Roller GirlVictoria Jamieson
Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- SmileRaina Telgemeier
Smile
by Raina Telgemeier
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- Chronicles of a Lizard NobodyPatrick Ness
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
by Patrick Ness
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- CurveballPablo Cartaya
Curveball
by Pablo Cartaya
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 3–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–5).
- Misfit MansionKay Davault
Misfit Mansion
by Kay Davault
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 3–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–5).
- Swim TeamJohnnie Christmas
Swim Team
by Johnnie Christmas
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- The First Cat in Space Ate PizzaMac Barnett
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
by Mac Barnett
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (2–5).
- City of GhostsVictoria Schwab
City of Ghosts
by Victoria Schwab
FantasyGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and overlapping grades (4–7).
- Dog Man UnleashedDav Pilkey
Dog Man Unleashed
by Dav Pilkey
Graphic NovelGrades 3–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and overlapping grades (3–6).
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