Books like The Book Thief

Looking for books like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Historical Fiction · 730L · grades 8–11)? It’s most often read for its themes of Holocaust, courage, and the power of words. 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 8–11 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Book Thief

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Why each is a match

The Caygrades 5–8
Shares themes of courage and friendship, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
The Devil's Arithmetic730L
Shares themes of Holocaust, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (730L vs 730L).
Echo680L
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (680L vs 730L).
When You Reach Me750L
Shares themes of friendship and a close reading level (750L vs 730L).
Salt to the Sea560L
Shares themes of Holocaust, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (560L vs 730L).
My Ántonia1010L
Shares themes of friendship, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (10–12).
A Night Dividedgrades 5–8
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
Alliesgrades 5–9
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–9).
Code Name Kingfishergrades 4–8
Shares themes of courage, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
Heroesgrades 6–8
Shares themes of courage and friendship and overlapping grades (6–8).

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