17 Books Like Charlotte’s Web
These 17 books combine compelling stories with important messages that resonate with readers well into adulthood. They aren’t all animal stories, but they have the nuance and depth to be appreciated by readers of any age. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is considered a classic thanks to its relatable characters and bittersweet ending.
1. Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Peterson
Since 1977, Bridge to Terabithia has delighted (and betrayed) readers. Peterson’s writing is distinct, rich in startling and vivid word-pictures, and the ending is famously bittersweet; however, if you’re unfamiliar with the book or film, do not look up spoilers.
2. The Rescuers, by Margery Sharp
Nils, a mouse adventurer/translator, rescues Bernard and Bianca from The Rescuers and leads them on a prison break to save a human poet from the formidable Black Castle. The book’s messages about teamwork and making a difference are heartwarming.
3. Goodnight, Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian
Mister Tom has been a classic since 1981, and it’s a beautiful story about healing and finding yourself and a family. It’s written for children but doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like child abuse, war, and bereavement.
4. A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Sara Crewe is a young heiress living at a boarding school in London, and despite her changing circumstances and the abuse she endures, Sara maintains her dignity. Be Who You Want To Be, No Matter What.
5. The Story of Tracy Beaker, by Jacqueline Wilson
Tracy Beaker is a ten-year-old girl who wishes to be rescued by her birth mother, and Nick Sharratt’s quirky illustrations add to the book’s appeal. Tracy is witty, imaginative, and mischievous, and her story validates and explores situations and problems that many children face.
6. The Witches, by Roald Dahl
An unnamed boy and his wise grandmother battle a secret society of child-hating witches in Roald Dahl’s The Witches, which packs an emotional punch. The central relationship between the protagonist and his grandmother is the emotional heart of the story.
7. The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo
The Tale of Despereaux is a delightful blend of cheerful whimsy and darker elements, with DiCamillo’s writing full of bon mots and direct addresses to the reader. There is a body count, and some children may find the rat villain frightening.
8. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, by Susan Wojciechowski
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a story about grief, healing, and new beginnings, with gorgeous and exquisitely detailed illustrations by P. J. Lynch. It’s great to read aloud, but the prose is simple enough for reading grades 1-2.
9. The Bear Nobody Wanted, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
The Bear Nobody Wanted is a picture book by the Ahlberg family about a bear with an unappealing, haughty expression that affects its character and turns potential owners away. The story is surprisingly emotional for a story about sentient toys.
10. A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness
After fellow novelist Siobhan Dowd died of cancer before finishing it, Ness took on the project, which is about a boy and a mysterious monster who visits him three times to tell him stories.
11. The Animals of Farthing Wood, by Colin Dann
One of Colin Dann’s most enduringly popular books, The Animals of Farthing Wood, features a group of animals cooperating for survival, similar to Charlotte’s Web, and contains a strong environmental message about the impact of human activity on wildlife and their habitats.
12. War Horse, by Michael Morpurgo
The author brings the horrors of war vividly and often brutally to life in Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse, an eye-opening, sad, and sometimes scary story that can introduce children to the realities of war in an accessible format.
13. The Starlight Barking, by Dodie Smith
Pongo and the other animals from The Hundred and One Dalmatians face a new cosmic threat in The Starlight Barking, a little-known sequel published in 1967 with a strong anti-war and anti-nuclear weapons message.
14. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O’Brien
Mrs. Frisby is another anthropomorphic story, this time starring rats and mice, with plenty of peril and mystery as the secrets of the rats and NIMH are gradually revealed. This book is appropriate for children aged eight and up, but it is a delight for readers of all ages.
15. The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, by Jill Tomlinson
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark is a gentle exploration of the wonders of nighttime, with comforting prose and beautiful illustrations. Jill Tomlinson has a whole series of educational animal tales in the same vein, such as The Cat Who Wanted To Go Home.
16. Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
Winnie, a 10-year-old girl, befriends a family of immortals, but will she drink from the spring that gives them eternal youth?
17. The Sheep-Pig, by Dick King-Smith
Similar to Charlotte’s Web, but with a pig instead of a spider as the protagonist, The Sheep-Pig is equally charming. Babe is a great role model, being kind, open-minded, and brave. The book is as entertaining and relevant today as it was in 1983.
What should I read if I like Charlotte’s Web?
Read-Alikes for Charlotte’s Web
- Sharon Creech’s Saving Winslow
- Walter R.’s Freddy the Detective
- Richard W.’s The Curious Lobster
- Elana K.’s A Boy Called Bat (series)
- Marion Dane Bauer’s Little Dog, Lost
- Eleanor Estes’ Ginger Pye.
Why is Charlotte’s Web a banned book?
For example, E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” was banned in 2006 because “talking animals are blasphemous and unnatural,” and South Carolina banned some versions of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” because they were too mature, which I guess is frowned upon there.
What age should a child read Charlotte’s Web?
Consider this: children and parents who reviewed Charlotte’s Web on CommonSenseMedia said it was appropriate for children aged six to seven.
What grade level is Charlotte’s Web for?
Use these 10 questions to start a conversation with your child about E. B. White’s classic for grades 3u20135, Charlotte’s Web. Read the book yourself so you can better discuss the story and enjoy the online activities together.
Why is Charlotte’s Web a good book?
Vocabulary: Charlotte’s Web is an excellent book for teaching children new words, and it is one of the best things to practice while reading it. Children learn how to use context clues to figure out the meaning of a new word, and they listen to the characters discuss and use it.
Why is Charlotte’s Web a classic?
Because it has been read and enjoyed by both children and adults for nearly 70 years, Charlotte’s Web is considered a classic.
Why are books being banned 2020?
In 2020, more than 273 books were challenged or banned, with increasing calls to remove books that addressed racism and racial justice, as well as those that told the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. As in previous years, LGBTQ content dominated the list.
Why was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory banned?
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was originally banned because the depiction of the oompa loompas was deemed racist; Roald Dahl was taken aback by this and changed the oompa loompas’ description in a revised version.
Why was the devil’s storybook banned?
Because of concerns about the book’s profanity, it was banned from Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana (2003), where it was assigned in English classes for sophomores.
What is the lesson of Charlotte’s Web?
The main theme or moral of this story is loyalty and friendship. Charlotte and Wilbur are true friends, and Charlotte works tirelessly to save her friend’s life without expecting anything in return. Wilbur, on the other hand, looks after Charlotte’s offspring after her death.
Is Charlotte’s Web a true story?
While parts of Charlotte’s Web appear to be true, the story cannot be true because the animals speak and act like people, and the author used personification to make the animals do what people do.
Who dies in Charlotte’s Web?
Charlotte the spider dies in Charlotte’s Web because she is old – at least in spider years. Spiders have a very short life cycle: they hatch from eggs in the spring, mature, and then lay their own egg sac in the fall, after which their life cycle is complete and they die.
What grade is Magic Tree House?
Your 6- to 10-year-old reader can join time-traveling duo Jack and Annie in their magical tree house as they travel through history. Mary Pope Osbourne’s award-winning series, The Magic Tree House, allows young readers to travel through history without leaving the comfort of their own homes.
What is the reading level of Nancy Drew books?
The Nancy Drew books are written for children aged 8 to 12, but that does not mean that the situations in the books are appropriate for all children aged 8 to 12.