Books like The Thief Lord

If you liked The Thief Lord, read Dragon Rider, Because of Winn-Dixie, or Ghost Knight — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke? 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 4–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Thief Lord

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Why each is a match

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Dragon Ridergrades 3–8
Is by Cornelia Funke, the same author, both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, and overlapping grades (3–8). Amazon → books like this →
Because of Winn-Dixie610L
Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
Ghost Knightgrades 3–10
Is by Cornelia Funke, the same author and overlapping grades (3–10). Amazon → books like this →
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)740L
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulanegrades 3–6
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (3–6), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
The Tale of Despereaux670L
Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (3–6), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroomgrades 4–6
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2000s). Amazon → books like this →
Bud, Not Buddy950L
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7). Amazon → books like this →
El Deafo420L
Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Librarygrades 4–6
Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–6). Amazon → books like this →

Books like The Thief Lord for younger readers (K–2)

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

  • Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume · 470L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (2–5).
  • Adopted by an Owl by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen · grades 2–8 — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list, overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller · grades 2–8 — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list, overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams · grades 2–8 — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list, overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).
  • Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson · grades 2–8 — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list, overlapping grades (2–8), and the same era (2000s).

Books like The Thief Lord for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling · 880L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Holes by Louis Sachar · 660L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • New Kid by Jerry Craft · grades 4–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–8).

Books like The Thief Lord for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements · 830L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (3–7).
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling · 880L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Holes by Louis Sachar · 660L — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli · 820L — Both on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (4–7).
  • New Kid by Jerry Craft · grades 4–8 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+2 more shared lists) and overlapping grades (4–8).

Books like The Thief Lord for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt · grades 7–10 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list (+1 more shared list).
  • 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).
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini · grades 6–9 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2000s).
  • Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli · grades 6–9 — Both on the Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award list, overlapping grades (6–9), and the same era (2000s).
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie · 600L — Both on the Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan Reading Association) list and the same era (2000s).

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

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