Books like 'Ratfink'
Readers who enjoyed Ratfink by Marcia Thornton Jones also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary action / adventure humor realistic children friendship bullying
-
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf, اونجلی رئوف
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsTold with humor and heart, 'THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS' offers a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.He's eight years old (just like me), but he's very strange... -
![내 토끼가 또 사라졌어! by Mo Willems]()
내 토끼가 또 사라졌어! by Mo Willems
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsKorean edition of the last story of Knuffle Bunny series, KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems, the author of a three-time Caldecott Honor winner (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, and Knuffle Bunny Too)... -
![The Midnight Gang by David Walliams]()
The Midnight Gang by David Walliams
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsWelcome to the Midnight Gang! Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning…When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself at Lord Funt Hospital, and is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter... -
![I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman]()
I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsRudy Miller is so unhappy spending the summer at Camp Algonkian Island that he devises dozens of tricks to get himself sent home... -
-
![The Unteachables by Gordon Korman, Sarah Beth Goer]()
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman, Sarah Beth Goer
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA hilarious new middle grade novel from beloved and bestselling author Gordan Korman about what happens when the worst class of kids in school is paired with the worst teacher—perfect for fans of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day.The Unteachables are a notorious class of misfits, delinquents, and academic train wrecks... -
![Poached by Stuart Gibbs]()
Poached by Stuart Gibbs
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsTeddy Fitzroy’s back for another zoo mystery—this time it’s a koala caper—in this action-packed follow-up to Belly Up that School Library Journal called a “whopper of a whodunit that delivers plenty of suspects, action, slapstick, gross bodily functions, red herrings, and animal trivia...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship humor realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism -
![If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen]()
If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIf I built a car, it'd be totally new!Here are a few of the things that I'd do. . . .Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. There's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur... -
![Unstoppable by Tim Green]()
Unstoppable by Tim Green
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Tim Green has written an unforgettable story—inspired by interviews with real-life cancer survivors and insider sports experience—showing a brave boy who learns what it truly means to be unstoppable."Absolutely heroic, and something every guy should read... -
![If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff]()
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 34 ratings"If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it..." If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it. You'll give her some of your favorite maple syrup, and she'll probably get all sticky, so she'll want to take a bath. She'll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles.. -
![Pies & Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick]()
Pies & Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsRight before the start of freshman year, Emma’s family unexpectedly moves to England. The book club members are stunned—but thanks to videoconferencing, they can still keep the club alive, and they decide to tackle Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . And when the girls try to bring Emma home by starting a bake sale, it becomes a thriving business: Pies & Prejudice... -
![The Good Egg by Jory John]()
The Good Egg by Jory John
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn this follow-up to Jory John and Pete Oswald’s popular picture book The Bad Seed, meet the next best thing: a very good egg, indeed!The good egg has been good for as long as he can remember. While the other eggs in his carton are kind of rotten, he always does the right, kind, and courteous thing... -
![A Bad Case Of Stripes by David Shannon, Jane Casserly]()
A Bad Case Of Stripes by David Shannon, Jane Casserly
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 56 ratingsBestselling and award-winning author and illustrator David Shannon's colorful cure for conformityCamilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her... -
![Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae]()
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsGerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship humor action-adventure animals anthropomorphism audiobook -
![Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein]()
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWelcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympiad! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again! This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first ever LIBRARY OLYMPICS. Will it be fun? Like the commercials say. . -
-
![The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammell]()
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, Stephen Gammell
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe relatives' station wagon: it smelled like a real car, looked like a rainbow, and was roomy enough for a crowd. Lucky! Because a big crowd in all shapes and sizes piled into that old wagon at four o'clock one summer morning and piled out of it the next day at their relatives' place on the north side of the mountains. All in good moods...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic action-adventure book children-books contemporary -
![Surprises According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney]()
Surprises According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBeing a classroom hamster means having to be ready for anything?but suddenly there are a lot of big surprises in Humphrey's world. Some are exciting, like seeing the playground during a fire drill and getting to roll around in a hamster ball... -
![Make the Rules by Annie Barrows]()
Make the Rules by Annie Barrows
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBean's older sister, Nancy, is going to Girl Power 4-Ever Camp, where she will do Crafts and Music and First Aid and other secret things that Bean will never know about because girls have to be eleven to go to Girl Power 4-Ever Camp. Bean doesn't care. She doesn't want to go to camp. She wouldn't go even if they begged her. So ha. So ha ha...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic action-adventure book children-books contemporary -
![A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee: by Chris Van Dusen]()
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee: by Chris Van Dusen
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation? Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, has filled this new adventure with charming illustrations and a playful, rhyming text... -
![Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game by Chris Grabenstein]()
Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game by Chris Grabenstein
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMr. Lemoncello is going LIVE ACROSS THE NATION with his brand new television BREAKOUT!After months of anticipation, Mr. Lemoncello is launching his first-ever GAME SHOW on the world-famous Kidzapalooza TV network—where kids rule! Kyle can't wait to audition! But only a lucky few will make it through the auditions to compete in front of MILLIONS of viewers in Mr... -
![Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein]()
Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratings#1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein is back with the third fantastically fun, puzzle-packed MR. LEMONCELLO adventure!On your marks. Get set. Lemon, cello, GO!Everyone's favorite game maker, Mr... -
![The Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman]()
The Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt’s not easy being an undercover restaurant critic—especially when you’re only twelve years old!After successfully completing her first restaurant review for the New York Standard newspaper, Gladys Gatsby is looking forward to a quiet summer of cooking and eating. But her plans quickly go awry when her friend Charissa Bentley delivers Gladys’s birthday gift: a free summer at Camp Bentley... -
![No News Is Good News by Annie Barrows]()
No News Is Good News by Annie Barrows
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIvy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it's for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for you serving size. Don't ask why. How are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it! Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is snoop around the neighborhood. Wow.. -
![The Terrible Two Go Wild by Mac Barnett, Jory John]()
The Terrible Two Go Wild by Mac Barnett, Jory John
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSummers are for pranking in The Terrible Two Go Wild , the third installment of the hilarious New York Times bestselling series by Mac Barnett and Jory John, with illustrations by Kevin Cornell.School’s out, and pranksters Miles and Niles have retreated to a perfect hideout in the woods, complete with snacks, games, books, sleeping bags, stream-chilled lemonade . . -
![Supergifted by Gordon Korman]()
Supergifted by Gordon Korman
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe highly anticipated sequel to Ungifted from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman.Donovan Curtis has never been what anyone would call “gifted.” But his genius friend Noah Youkilis is actually supergifted, with one of the highest IQs around. After years at the Academy for Scholastic Distinction, all Noah dreams of is the opportunity to fail if he wants to... -
-
![Mr Stink by David Walliams]()
Mr Stink by David Walliams
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsMr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well…” Chloe sees Mr Stink every day, but she’s never spoken to him. Which isn’t surprising, because he’s a tramp, and he stinks. But there’s more to Mr Stink than meets the eye (or nose) and before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual new friend hiding in her garden shed...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship humor realistic 21st-century action-adventure audiobook -
![George and Martha by James Marshall]()
George and Martha by James Marshall
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsTwo lovable hippos teach the meaning of friendship in five separate vignettes: "Split Pea Soup," "The Flying Machine," "The Tub," "The Mirror," "The Tooth... -
![The Yellow Bus by Loren Long]()
The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsPerfect for fans of Love and Hello, Lighthouse , The Yellow Bus from #1 New York Times bestselling Loren Long is a tender and soulful story about a forgotten school bus that finds happiness and purpose in the most unexpected places--and in the journey along the way.There is a bright yellow bus who spends her days driving. She loves carrying children from one important place to another...Categorized as:
children realistic children-books fiction outdoors action-adventure contemporary book -
![Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes]()
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsSheila Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn't always know better!This classic picture book about overcoming fear is written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon... -
![Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes]()
Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 30 ratings“I like croquet and peanut butter and making my bed.”There is only one way for Chester to do things—his own way. “You definitely have a mind of your own,” said Chester’s mother. “That’s one way to put it,” said Chester’s father.Luckily Chester’s best friend, Wilson, likes doing things just the same way as Chester. When they cut their sandwiches, it's always diagonally...Categorized as:
bullying children friendship humor realistic action-adventure animals anthropomorphism -
![The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams]()
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsEverybody needs friends? especially a boy in a dress! Dennis? life is boring and lonely. His mother left two years ago, his truck driver father is depressed, his brother is a bully and, worst of all, ?no hugging? is one of their household rules. But one thing Dennis does have is soccer?he?s the leading scorer on his team... -
![Taming Bull: A Friends to Lovers Military MC Romance by Harley Stone]()
Taming Bull: A Friends to Lovers Military MC Romance by Harley Stone
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe friend zone: a black hole from which there is no escape. Or so they say. But Lily Perkins is desperate to climb out of the frigid void and into the scorching embrace of former sailor Deryk “Bull” Roberts. If only she can get her Bull-headed bestie to cooperate... -
![My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano]()
My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA story of first friendship.she is my best friend i think i never had a best friend so i’m not sure but i think she is a really good best friend because when we were drawing she drew me and i drew her...Categorized as:
realistic friendship children children-books fiction outdoors contemporary female-mc -
![Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London]()
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFroggy's mother knows that everyone's nervous on the first day of school. "Not me!" says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop -- flop flop flop. Froggy's exuberant antics, complete with sound effects, will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun."This is a great read-aloud with sounds and words that encourage active participation... -
![I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black, Debbie Ridpath Ohi]()
I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black, Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThere is NOTHING boring about being a kid, but one little girl is going to have to prove it in this anything-but-boring picture book from comedian Michael Ian Black.Just when a little girl thinks she couldn't possibly be more bored, she stumbles upon a potato who turns the tables on her by declaring that children are boring... -
-
![This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! by Gordon Korman]()
This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! by Gordon Korman
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn Gordon Korman's beloved first book, Bruno and Boots team up...and school is never the same!Bruno and Boots are always in trouble. So the Headmaster, aka "The Fish" decides it would be best to separate them. Bruno must now room with ghoulish Elmer Dimsdale, plus his plants, goldfish, and ants. And Boots is stuck with nerdy, preppy, paranoid George Wexford-Smyth III.Of course, this means war...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic action-adventure boarding-school book children-books -
![Bound to be Bad by Annie Barrows]()
Bound to be Bad by Annie Barrows
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad the two girls decide to be so good and kind and pure of thought that wild animals will befriend them. When this doesn't work, they decide that perhaps a little badness can be good... -
![Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record by Annie Barrows]()
Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record by Annie Barrows
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWorld record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur... -
![Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker]()
Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsClementine can't believe her ears her beloved teacher, Mr. D'Matz, might be leaving them for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt! No other teacher has ever understood her impulsiveness, her itch to draw constantly, or her need to play "Beat the Clock" when the day feels too long... -
![Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw]()
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA flock of hapless sheep drive through the country in this rhyming picture book... -
![The Boys Return by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor]()
The Boys Return by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt’s spring break and the only assignment Wally Hatford and Caroline Malloy have is to do something that they have never done before. Wally’s sure that will be a cinch once he hears the great news about the mighty Benson brothers coming to stay for vacation. It will be nonstop action all the way...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic children-books fiction middle-grade contemporary -
![Pilfer Academy: A School So Bad It's Criminal by Lauren Magaziner]()
Pilfer Academy: A School So Bad It's Criminal by Lauren Magaziner
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratings"[A] weird and silly world that mirrors Hogwarts."* Fans of Spy School, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Roald Dahl will gobble up this hilarious story about a secret boarding school for thieves-in-training!Troublemaking George has never heard of Pilfer Academy, a top-secret school for training young crooks, until he's kidnapped as its newest student...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic action-adventure boarding-school book children-books -
![Main Street #5: The Secret Book Club by Ann M. Martin]()
Main Street #5: The Secret Book Club by Ann M. Martin
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFlora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki start their own summer book club when well-loved books start appearing on their doorsteps in the fifth of Ann Martin's wonderful Main Street books.Flora and Ruby are about to start their second summer in Camden Falls...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic action-adventure audiobook book children-books contemporary -
![The Girls Take Over by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor]()
The Girls Take Over by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe race is on! The Hatford boys and the Malloy girls are ready to outdo one another again. Eddie is the first girl to ever try out for the school baseball team. Now she and Jake are competing for the same position, while Caroline and Wally compete for class spelling bee champ. Wally is itching to win, but Caroline the show-off plans to be number one...Categorized as:
humor realistic children friendship children-books fiction contemporary middle-grade -
![A Spy Among the Girls by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor]()
A Spy Among the Girls by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsValentine’s Day is coming up and love is in the air between Beth Malloy and Josh Hatford. When they are spotted holding hands, Josh tells his teasing brothers that he’s simply spying on the girls to see what they’re plotting next...Categorized as:
realistic humor children children-books fiction middle-grade contemporary young-adult -
-
![A Traitor Among the Boys by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Morris Gleitzman]()
A Traitor Among the Boys by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Morris Gleitzman
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Hatford boys' New Year's resolution is "the girls can stay . . . but only if they play by our rules." Their mother insists that they "treat those girls as though they were your sisters." Okay, but somehow the boys' interpretation owes more to sibling rivalry than to brotherly love...Categorized as:
realistic humor children friendship children-books fiction middle-grade contemporary -
![Faker by Gordon Korman]()
Faker by Gordon Korman
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe story of a family of liars... and the son who wants to break the family tradition.Trey knows the routine. His dad gets him into a school full of kids with rich parents. Trey makes friends, and his dad makes connections. Soon, there's the con, where Trey's dad suckers the other parents into investing in one of his schemes... -
![The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge]()
The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFun science meets humor and heart in this adventure about a boy who is searching for his mother . . . in a parallel universe.Stephen Albie Bright leads a happy, normal life. Well, as normal as it gets with two astrophysicist parents who named their son after their favorite scientists, Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. But then Albie's mother dies of cancer, and his world is shattered... -
![Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold]()
Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe fifth book in an award-winning, easy-to-read series about a boy and his pet fly, each book in the series has a fun foil cover!Mom and Dad won't let Fly Guy go along on the family road trip. They're afraid he'll get lost. But when Dad accidentally shuts him in the trunk, Fly Guy goes along for the ride!First, Fly Guy gets lost at the picnic site--but he shows up in the garbage can... -
![Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller]()
Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLaurie Keller, creator of the wonderful picture books The Scrambled States of America and Open Wide: Tooth School Inside, cooks up a rather silly story about a doughnut who narrowly escapes his doughnut fate. Arnie is proud to be chocolate-covered, with bright-colored candy sprinkles. His first day on the planet is a big one... -
![Let's Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile]()
Let's Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDon't move! A master of animation explores the elusive art of doing nothing in this comical tale of two very active imaginations.Frankie and Sal have already played every sport and board game invented, baked and eaten batches of cookies, and painted a zillion pictures...Categorized as:
children friendship humor realistic action-adventure book children-books contemporary
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.
