Books Like The Hunger Games: 12 Similar Reads for Grades 6–9
If your reader loved The Hunger Games, these 12 books hit the same notes — authoritarianism, survival, and media and spectacle — all kept in the grades 6–9 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 Hunger Games
- Life of PiYann Martel
Life of Pi
by Yann Martel
Literary FictionGrades 9–12
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and a close reading level (830L vs 810L).
- Sunrise on the ReapingSuzanne Collins
Sunrise on the Reaping
by Suzanne Collins
Dystopian FictionGrades 7–12
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and sacrifice and overlapping grades (7–12).
- RefugeeAlan Gratz
Refugee
by Alan Gratz
Historical FictionGrades 5–9
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and a close reading level (800L vs 810L).
- The Wild RobotPeter Brown
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
Middle Grade FictionGrades 4–6
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and a close reading level (740L vs 810L).
- A Long Walk to WaterLinda Sue Park
A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park
Historical FictionGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and a close reading level (720L vs 810L).
- The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeC.S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis
Middle Grade FantasyGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: Shares themes of sacrifice and a close reading level (940L vs 810L).
- Cryptid HuntersRoland Smith
Cryptid Hunters
by Roland Smith
AdventureGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and overlapping grades (5–8).
- Touching Spirit BearBen Mikaelsen
Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
Realistic FictionGrades 6–9
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and overlapping grades (6–9).
- UnwindNeal Shusterman
Unwind
by Neal Shusterman
Dystopian FictionGrades 8–12
Why it's similar: Shares themes of survival and overlapping grades (8–12).
- Where the Mountain Meets the MoonGrace Lin
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin
Middle Grade FantasyGrades 4–7
Why it's similar: A close reading level (810L vs 810L) and the same era (2000s).
- The Graveyard BookNeil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Middle Grade FantasyGrades 5–8
Why it's similar: A close reading level (820L vs 810L) and the same era (2000s).
- ChainsLaurie Halse Anderson
Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)Grades 5–9
Why it's similar: A close reading level (780L vs 810L) and the same era (2000s).
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