Books Like The BFG: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 3–6
If your reader loved The BFG, these 12 books hit the same notes — friendship, courage, and imagination — all kept in the grades 3–6 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 The BFG
- 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 imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 720L).
- James and the Giant PeachRoald Dahl
James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (870L vs 720L).
- The Whipping BoySid Fleischman
The Whipping Boy
by Sid Fleischman
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- Number the StarsLois Lowry
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)Grades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and courage and a close reading level (670L vs 720L).
- 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 imagination, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (560L vs 720L).
- FablehavenBrandon Mull
Fablehaven
by Brandon Mull
Middle Grade FantasyGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, courage, and imagination and overlapping grades (4–7).
- Simon Sort of SaysErin Bow
Simon Sort of Says
by Erin Bow
Middle Grade FictionGrades 6–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–8).
- The First State of BeingErin Entrada Kelly
The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Middle Grade FictionGrades 6–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship and courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–8).
- 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 friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 720L).
- Hello, UniverseErin Entrada Kelly
Hello, Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Middle Grade FictionGrades 3–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (690L vs 720L).
- PaxSara Pennypacker
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (760L vs 720L).
- HolesLouis Sachar
Holes
by Louis Sachar
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (660L vs 720L).
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