Books like Under the Mesquite

If you liked Under the Mesquite, read Summer of the Mariposas, Saints of the Household, or Shut Up, This Is Serious — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall? 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 7–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Under the Mesquite

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Why each is a match

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Summer of the Mariposasgrades 5–12
Is by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, the same author, overlapping grades (5–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Saints of the Householdgrades 9–12
Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon → books like this →
Shut Up, This Is Seriousgrades 9–12
Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (9–12). Amazon → books like this →
After the Snowgrades 9–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Ashgrades 5–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (5–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga (A Graphic Novel)grades 9–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Because You'll Never Meet Megrades 9–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Belle Époquegrades 9–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Between Shades Of Graygrades 4–9
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (4–9), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →
Blood Water Paintgrades 9–12
Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Under the Mesquite for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

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

  • Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi · grades 5–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (5–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosín · grades 5–8 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina · grades K–3 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list and the same era (2010s).
  • Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar · grades 5–8 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez · grades 4–7 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).

Books like Under the Mesquite for middle school (grades 6–8)

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

  • Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi · grades 5–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (5–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle · grades 6–10 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (6–10), and the same era (2010s).
  • I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosín · grades 5–8 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar · grades 5–8 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez · grades 4–7 — Both on the Pura Belpré Author Award list, overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).

Books like Under the Mesquite for high school & teens (grades 9–12)

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

  • Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn · grades 9–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu · grades 9–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi · grades 5–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (5–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert · grades 9–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).
  • Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber · grades 9–12 — Both on the William C. Morris YA Debut Award list, overlapping grades (9–12), and the same era (2010s).

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

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