Books like Stargirl

If you liked Stargirl, read Loser, Fourth Grade Rats, or Mick Harte Was Here — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (Realistic Fiction · grades 6–9)? It’s most often read for its themes of individuality, conformity, and first love. 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 Stargirl

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Why each is a match

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Losergrades 4–6
Is by Jerry Spinelli, the same author, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Fourth Grade Ratsgrades 4–6
Is by Jerry Spinelli, the same author, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Mick Harte Was Heregrades 5–8
Both on the Charlotte Award list (+2 more shared lists), same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon → books like this →
Orbiting Jupitergrades 7–10
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10). Amazon → books like this →
Shiloh890L
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
The Girl Who Could Flygrades 4–6
Shares themes of individuality, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Zen and the Art of Faking Itgrades 2–8
Shares themes of individuality, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (2–8). Amazon → books like this →
A Wrinkle in Time740L
Shares themes of individuality and conformity and overlapping grades (5–7). Amazon → books like this →
Dragon Ridergrades 3–8
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
Forged by Firegrades 7–10
Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Stargirl for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • Ida B. and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Say What? by Margaret Peterson Haddix · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Togo by Robert J. Blake · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • When the Wolves Returned by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent · grades 2–8 — Same genre (Realistic Fiction), overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).

Books like Stargirl for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Is by Jerry Spinelli, the same author, both on the Charlotte Award list, and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Schooled by Gordon Korman · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • So B. It by Sarah Weeks · grades 5–8 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold · grades 3–5 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list and same genre (Realistic Fiction).

Books like Stargirl for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Is by Jerry Spinelli, the same author, both on the Charlotte Award list, and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Schooled by Gordon Korman · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • So B. It by Sarah Weeks · grades 5–8 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman · grades 3–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–8).
  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10).

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

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

  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10).
  • Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick · grades 6–9 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (6–9).
  • Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper · grades 7–10 — Both on the Young Hoosier Book Award list, same genre (Realistic Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–10).
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins · 810L — Both on the Charlotte Award list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2000s).
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz · 800L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–9).

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

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