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Quick answer: If your child loves Schooled, try Gordon Korman's Restart, Swindle and Ungifted, then Frindle, Holes, Hoot, Wonder and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. All are funny, clever middle-grade novels about outsiders and school.
Gordon Korman's 2007 novel follows Cap, a boy raised on a commune who attends a regular middle school for the first time and finds himself a target and then a hero. It is funny, kind and full of charm. The books below offer similar stories of kids who do not quite fit in.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schooled | Gordon Korman | Ages 10-13 | outsider at school |
| The Landry News | Andrew Clements | Ages 8-12 | school newspaper |
| Restart | Gordon Korman | Ages 10-14 | second chances |
| Swindle | Gordon Korman | Ages 8-12 | the heist |
| Ungifted | Gordon Korman | Ages 9-13 | school comedy |
| Frindle | Andrew Clements | Ages 8-12 | clever mischief |
| Lunch Money | Andrew Clements | Ages 8-12 | young entrepreneur |
| Holes | Louis Sachar | Ages 9-13 | mystery and humour |
| Small Steps | Louis Sachar | 10-14 | the direct sequel |
| Sideways Stories from Wayside School | Louis Sachar | Ages 7-11 | absurd school |
| Skinnybones | Barbara Park | Ages 8-12 | wisecracking narrator |
| Hoot | Carl Hiaasen | 10-14 | humour and nature |
| Stargirl | Jerry Spinelli | 10-14 | readers who like unusual heroes |
| Maniac Magee | Jerry Spinelli | 9-13 | belonging |
| Wonder | R. J. Palacio | Ages 8-12 | kindness |
1. Schooled by Gordon Korman
A boy raised in a hippie commune joins a middle school and wins over classmates. Funny and warm.
Best for: outsider at school.
2. The Landry News by Andrew Clements
A girl starts a newspaper in her classroom. Smart and fast.
Best for: school newspaper.
3. Restart by Gordon Korman
A boy loses his memory and discovers who he used to be. Thoughtful and funny.
Best for: second chances.
4. Swindle by Gordon Korman
A boy puts together a team to steal back a rare baseball card. Fast and funny.
Best for: the heist.
5. Ungifted by Gordon Korman
A mistake sends an average kid to a gifted school. Warm, funny and surprising.
Best for: school comedy.
6. Frindle by Andrew Clements
A boy invents a new word and starts a movement that takes over his school. Smart, funny and quick.
Best for: clever mischief.
7. Lunch Money by Andrew Clements
A boy starts a business selling comic books at school. Funny and clever.
Best for: young entrepreneur.
8. Holes by Louis Sachar
A boy is sent to a camp where he must dig holes. Clever and moving.
Best for: mystery and humour.
9. Small Steps by Louis Sachar
The sequel to Holes follows Armpit and X-Ray after camp. Quieter, but warm and funny.
Best for: the direct sequel.
10. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Odd things happen on the thirtieth floor of a school built sideways. Short chapters, big laughs.
Best for: absurd school.
11. Skinnybones by Barbara Park
A baseball-loving boy uses humour to hide his worries. Quick and cheeky.
Best for: wisecracking narrator.
12. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
A boy in Florida meets a runaway and tries to save burrowing owls. Funny and full of local color.
Best for: humour and nature.
13. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
A homeschooled girl joins a high school and changes everyone's views. Quirky and moving.
Best for: readers who like unusual heroes.
14. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
An orphan runs through a divided town and breaks barriers. Funny, kind and thoughtful.
Best for: belonging.
15. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
A boy with a facial difference starts school. A modern classic.
Best for: kindness.
How to Choose
For more Korman choose Restart, Swindle or Ungifted. For school humour pick Frindle, Lunch Money or Skinnybones. For quirky outsiders read Stargirl or Maniac Magee. For kindness try Wonder. Schooled is funny and gentle, so these picks suit readers aged ten to thirteen. Korman published his first novel when he was a teenager, and Schooled is one of his best-known books. The story is told from several points of view, which gives it a lively pace.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Schooled about?
A boy raised on a commune who joins a regular school.
Who wrote it?
Gordon Korman.
When was it published?
2007.
What age is it for?
Roughly ages 10 to 13.
Is it funny?
Yes.
Who tells the story?
Several characters in turn.
Is it a good read-aloud?
Yes.
What should we read next?
Try Restart or Frindle.
Which book here is best for the heist?
Try Swindle by Gordon Korman, which suits readers looking for the heist.
Which book here is best for young entrepreneur?
Try Lunch Money by Andrew Clements, which suits readers looking for young entrepreneur.
Which book here is best for absurd school?
Try Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, which suits readers looking for absurd school.
Which book here is best for readers who like unusual heroes?
Try Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, which suits readers looking for readers who like unusual heroes.
Which book here is best for school newspaper?
Try The Landry News by Andrew Clements, which suits readers looking for school newspaper.
Which book here is best for school comedy?
Try Ungifted by Gordon Korman, which suits readers looking for school comedy.
Which book here is best for mystery and humour?
Try Holes by Louis Sachar, which suits readers looking for mystery and humour.
Which book here is best for wisecracking narrator?
Try Skinnybones by Barbara Park, which suits readers looking for wisecracking narrator.