Books Like Restart: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 5–8
If your reader loved Restart, these 12 books hit the same notes — identity, bullying, and memory — 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 Restart
- 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, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 730L).
- Hello, UniverseErin Entrada Kelly
Hello, Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (690L vs 730L).
- Save Me a SeatSarah Weeks
Save Me a Seat
by Sarah Weeks
Realistic FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and bullying and a close reading level (780L vs 730L).
- WonderR.J. Palacio
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 730L).
- 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 identity, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 730L).
- BlendedSharon M. Draper
Blended
by Sharon M. Draper
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (610L vs 730L).
- The Hundred DressesEleanor Estes
The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (870L vs 730L).
- Fish in a TreeLynda Mullaly Hunt
Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (550L vs 730L).
- GhostJason Reynolds
Ghost
by Jason Reynolds
Realistic FictionGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of identity and a close reading level (730L vs 730L).
- The Wild RobotPeter Brown
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–6
Why it's similar: Same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), a close reading level (740L vs 730L), and the same era (2010s).
- 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).
- Out of My MindSharon M. Draper
Out of My Mind
by Sharon M. Draper
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), a close reading level (700L vs 730L), and the same era (2010s).
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