Books like Running Out of Time

If you liked Running Out of Time, read Among the Hidden, Ella Enchanted, or Nightmare Mountain — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared themes, shared award lists, and reading level.

Looking for books like Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Fantasy · grades 3–8)? It’s most often read for its themes of adventure and adventurers, fiction, diphtheria, and mystery and detective stories. 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 3–8 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Running Out of Time

Reading the whole similar-books list? 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.

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.

Among the Hiddengrades 5–8
Is by Margaret Peterson Haddix, the same author, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (1990s). Amazon → books like this →
Ella Enchantedgrades 4–7
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Nightmare Mountaingrades 3–6
Shares themes of adventure and adventurers, fiction and mystery and detective stories and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
Closed for the Seasongrades 3–8
Shares themes of mystery and detective stories, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
Eragongrades 6–9
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (6–9). Amazon → books like this →
Foundgrades 4–6
Is by Margaret Peterson Haddix, the same author and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotismgrades 3–8
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
Peter and the Starcatchersgrades 3–8
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
The Indian in the Cupboardgrades 3–6
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
The Liftersgrades 3–8
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Running Out of Time for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo · grades 3–6 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–6).
  • The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • Word Eater by Mary Amato · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling · grades 4–8 — Same genre (Fantasy), overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (1990s).
  • Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville · grades 4–6 — Same genre (Fantasy), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (1990s).

Books like Running Out of Time for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo · grades 3–6 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–6).
  • The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • Word Eater by Mary Amato · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Fantasy), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling · grades 4–8 — Same genre (Fantasy), overlapping grades (4–8), and the same era (1990s).
  • Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville · grades 4–6 — Same genre (Fantasy), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (1990s).

Books like Running Out of Time for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody · grades 7–12 — Same genre (Fantasy) and overlapping grades (7–12).
  • Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross · grades 9–12 — Same genre (Fantasy).
  • The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan · grades 5–9 — Same genre (Fantasy) and overlapping grades (5–9).
  • The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan · grades 5–9 — Same genre (Fantasy) and overlapping grades (5–9).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

← Back to Running Out of Time

Browse by another angle