Do you love rooting for the underdogs in movies? If so, you’ll love these chapter books about underdogs! These books are perfect for upper elementary students who can relate to feeling like the underdog. The little guy always wins in the end, and these stories are sure to pull at your heartstrings. Read on for a list of must-read books about underdogs!
-The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
Deza Malone is the smartest girl in her class, but she’s also the poorest. When her father leaves to find work and her mother becomes too sick to take care of her, Deza has to move in with relatives. Life is hard, but Deza is determined to make the best of it. You’ll root for her every step of the way!
-Ungifted by Gordon Korman
Dodge Crews is an underachiever and troublemaker, so when he’s mistakenly sent to a school for gifted students, he’s sure he’s going to flunk out. But Dodge might just be the smartest person at the school after all-he just has to figure out how to fit in first.
-Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza is a young girl who has to leave her home in Mexico to go live in California during the Great Depression. She finds out that life in America is very different from what she’s used to, and she has to work hard to make a new life for herself. You’ll be inspired by her strength and courage!
-Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Virgil Salinas is a quiet boy who loves to stargaze. When he accidentally gets lost in the forest of Lost Things, he has to find his way back with the help of a bully, an autistic girl, and a runaway chicken. This heartwarming story will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
-Holes by Louis Sachar
These characters have been highlighted as underdogs in movies.
Stanley Yelnats is wrongly accused of stealing a pair of shoes and sent to a juvenile detention center in the middle of the desert. He soon realizes that there’s more to the detention center than meets the eye, and he has to work hard to uncover the truth. You won’t be able to put this book down! Your students might even identify the lovable characters in Holes as underdogs in movies from the 2003 Disney film adaptation.
-Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow Chance is an outsider who doesn’t quite fit in. When her parents are killed in a car accident, she has to come to terms with her new life. This heartwarming story follows Willow as she learns to cope with loss and find where she belongs.
-Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Melody is a young girl with cerebral palsy who has never been able to communicate with the world around her. When she finally gets a speech device, she finally has a way to share her thoughts and feelings with others. This inspiring story will provide inspiration for whatever struggles your students might face during the school year.
-Wonder by R.J. Palacio
These characters have been highlighted as underdogs in movies.
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that has made it difficult for him to make friends. When he starts fifth grade at a mainstream school, he has to face the challenges of fitting in and making friends. You’ll be inspired by August’s courage and strength as he navigates his way through life. Wonder is so good at capturing our hearts that Auggie is featured as one of our underdogs in movies as well!
There are so many lovable underdogs out there and the list of books could go on and on! Check out this list of books complete with guided reading, DRA, Accelerated Reader, and Lexile levels to help you choose the next book for your class.
Some of these books also show up in my blog on books about strong families. Great reads always have more than one theme!
Do you have a favorite book about an underdog? Share it in the comments below!
P. S. Don’t forget to check out all the Curious Classroom novel studies.