Books like Small Steps

If you liked Small Steps, read Holes, There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, or A Dog Called Homeless — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Small Steps by Louis Sachar? 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 6–9 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Small Steps

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

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Why each is a match

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Holes660L
Is by Louis Sachar, the same author and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroomgrades 4–6
Is by Louis Sachar, the same author and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
A Dog Called Homelessgrades 3–6
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (3–6), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
After Ever Aftergrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Anger Is a Giftgrades 9–12
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Anything But Typicalgrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
As Brave As Yougrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Becoming Naomi Leon (Scholastic Gold)grades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Close to Famousgrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Cursedgrades 7–12
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Small Steps for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt · 550L — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Handbook for Dragon Slayers by Merrie Haskell · grades 4–7 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green · grades 4–7 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Song for A Whale by Lynne Kelly · grades 4–7 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley · 580L — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).

Books like Small Steps for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt · 550L — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (8–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Handbook for Dragon Slayers by Merrie Haskell · grades 4–7 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby · grades 7–10 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–10), and the same era (2010s).
  • Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green · grades 4–7 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).

Books like Small Steps for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (8–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Girls Like Us by Gail Giles · grades 9–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby · grades 7–10 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (7–10), and the same era (2010s).
  • Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork · grades 9–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (8–12), and the same era (2010s).

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

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