Are books like Hello, Universe reading-level appropriate?

Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades 3–7), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.

How does ReadingList choose similar books?

Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Books like Hello, Universe

If you liked Hello, Universe, read Wonder, Fish in a Tree, or Restart — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Closest match: Wonder by R.J. Palacio — shares friendship and bullying

Get it on Amazon →

Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Looking for books like Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (Middle Grade Fiction · 690L · grades 3–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of Filipino-American identity, friendship, and neurodivergence (deafness, anxiety). The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, 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 3–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

Try it on audio — free. Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Amazon links below are affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Wonder790L: Shares themes of friendship and bullying, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon → books like this →
Fish in a Tree550L: Shares themes of friendship and bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (550L vs 690L). Amazon → books like this →
Restart730L: Shares themes of bullying, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (730L vs 690L). Amazon → books like this →
Holes660L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon → books like this →
The First State of Beinggrades 6–8: Is by Erin Entrada Kelly, the same author, shares themes of friendship, and both on the Newbery Medal list. Amazon → books like this →
Merci Suárez Changes Gears700L: Both on the Newbery Medal list, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 690L). Amazon → books like this →
Out of My Mind700L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon → books like this →
Pax760L: Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (760L vs 690L). Amazon → books like this →
The Hundred Dresses870L: Shares themes of bullying, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon → books like this →
The BFG720L: Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Hello, Universe for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K–2— same scoring, different audience.

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths · 560L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (720L vs 690L).
My Explosive Diary by Emily Gale · grades 2–8 — Shares themes of bullying and overlapping grades (2–8).
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary · 750L — Both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 690L).

Books like Hello, Universe for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian · 820L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien · 790L — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 690L).
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 690L).
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown · 740L — Same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), a close reading level (740L vs 690L), and the same era (2010s).
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen · 760L — Shares themes of friendship and bullying and a close reading level (760L vs 690L).

Books like Hello, Universe for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian · 820L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and same genre (Middle Grade Fiction).
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien · 790L — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 690L).
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Both on the Newbery Medal list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 690L).
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown · 740L — Same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), a close reading level (740L vs 690L), and the same era (2010s).
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen · 760L — Shares themes of friendship and bullying and a close reading level (760L vs 690L).

Books like Hello, Universe for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 9–12— same scoring, different audience.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky · 720L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (720L vs 690L).
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak · 730L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (730L vs 690L).
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 630L — Shares themes of friendship, both on the Common Core State Standards (ELA) list, and a close reading level (630L vs 690L).

Common questions

What books are similar to Hello, Universe?: The 10 closest matches to Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly on ReadingList include Wonder, Fish in a Tree, Restart, Holes, and The First State of Being. Each is scored on shared themes (Filipino-American identity, friendship, and neurodivergence (deafness, anxiety)), shared award lists, genre, and reading level (grades 3–7), and links to the curricula, states, and grades where it is assigned in US schools, with primary sources.
Are books like Hello, Universe reading-level appropriate?: Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades 3–7), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.
How does ReadingList choose similar books?: Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Book data last updated 2026-09-05. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

← Back to Hello, Universe