Books like Stella

If you liked Stella, read Just Gus, Odder, or Scritch Scratch — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Stella by McCall Hoyle? 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 3–5 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Stella

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Why each is a match

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Just Gusgrades 3–8
Is by McCall Hoyle, the same author, overlapping grades (3–8), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
Oddergrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
Scritch Scratchgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
11 Birthdaysgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
A Million Ways Homegrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Because of Winn-Dixie610L
Both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
Elevengrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5). Amazon → books like this →
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Librarygrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Fish in a Tree550L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
Ghost730L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Stella for younger readers (K–2)

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

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

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

  • Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes · 360L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5).
  • Hatchet by Gary Paulsen · 1020L — Both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (5–8).
  • Holes by Louis Sachar · 660L — Both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–5).

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

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

  • Confetti Girl by Diana López · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2020s).
  • Ground Zero by Alan Gratz · grades 6–8 — Both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists) and the same era (2020s).
  • The Fort by Gordon Korman · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2020s).
  • Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes · 360L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list).

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

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