Books Like Smile: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 4–8
If your reader loved Smile, these 12 books hit the same notes — growing up, friendship, and self-acceptance — 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 Smile
- El DeafoCece Bell
El Deafo
by Cece Bell
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of growing up, friendship, and self-acceptance, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and a close reading level (420L vs 410L).
- Dog ManDav Pilkey
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and humor, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and a close reading level (390L vs 410L).
- Roller GirlVictoria Jamieson
Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Middle Grade Graphic NovelGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of growing up and friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and a close reading level (440L vs 410L).
- 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 humor, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and a close reading level (500L vs 410L).
- 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 growing up, friendship, and humor and overlapping grades (3–7).
- 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 and humor, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- The Cybil WarBetsy Byars
The Cybil War
by Betsy Byars
Realistic FictionGrades 3–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of growing up, friendship, and humor and overlapping grades (3–6).
- 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 and humor, same genre (Middle Grade Graphic Novel), and overlapping grades (2–5).
- 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 growing up and friendship and a close reading level (510L vs 410L).
- 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 and humor and a close reading level (560L vs 410L).
- Geronimo Stilton: Lost Treasure of the Emerald EyeGeronimo Stilton
Geronimo Stilton: Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye
by Geronimo Stilton
AdventureGrades 2–5
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and humor and a close reading level (530L vs 410L).
- Dog Man UnleashedDav Pilkey
Dog Man Unleashed
by Dav Pilkey
Graphic NovelGrades 3–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and humor and overlapping grades (3–6).
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