Books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Looking for books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (Middle Grade Fiction · 790L · grades 4–6)? It’s most often read for its themes of family, courage, and science and ethics. 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 4–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

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Why each is a match

Out of My Mind700L
Shares themes of family and intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (700L vs 790L).
Old Yellergrades 5–8
Shares themes of family and courage, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
Wonder790L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 790L).
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory810L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (810L vs 790L).
Maniac Magee820L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 790L).
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet820L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 790L).
Frindle830L
Shares themes of intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (830L vs 790L).
Ramona the Pest750L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 790L).
Matilda840L
Shares themes of intelligence, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (840L vs 790L).
The Wild Robot740L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (740L vs 790L).

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