Books like The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

If you liked The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, read Invisible Isabel, A Bird Will Soar, or Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla? 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 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

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.

Invisible Isabelgrades 3–6
Is by Sally J. Pla, the same author, overlapping grades (3–6), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
A Bird Will Soargrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
Popcorn: A hilarious and moving story about coping with anxietygrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
Show Me a Sign (Show Me a Sign, Book 1)grades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
The Truth As Told by Mason Buttlegrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
Wildoakgrades 4–7
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2020s). Amazon → books like this →
A Dog Called Homelessgrades 3–6
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (3–6). Amazon → books like this →
A Mango-Shaped Spacegrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon → books like this →
After Ever Aftergrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon → books like this →
Anything But Typicalgrades 5–8
Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and overlapping grades (5–8). Amazon → books like this →

Books like The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).

Books like The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart · grades 8–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).
  • This Is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio · grades 9–12 — Both on the Schneider Family Book Award list and the same era (2020s).

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

← Back to The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

Browse by another angle