Books like Ghost Boys

Looking for books like Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Realistic Fiction · 360L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of race, justice, and family. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Ghost Boys

Reading the whole similar-books list? Open any title for its Amazon listing — or listen to many of them free with a 30-day Audible trial.

As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Blended610L
Shares themes of race, family, and identity and a close reading level (610L vs 360L).
Front Desk640L
Shares themes of race and family, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
Walk Two Moons770L
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–7).
Bud, Not Buddy950L
Shares themes of race, family, and identity and overlapping grades (4–7).
Black Brother, Black Brothergrades 5–8
Shares themes of justice and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
Dear Mr. Henshawgrades 4–6
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6).
Invisible Isabelgrades 3–6
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6).
Ruby Lost and Foundgrades 6–9
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–9).
So B. Itgrades 5–8
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
Stand Up, Yumi Chunggrades 4–7
Shares themes of family and identity, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–7).

← Back to Ghost Boys