Discover 12 Authors Like Alan Gratz for Historical Fiction

Imagine stepping into the world of a gripping tale that mirrors the captivating essence of Alan Gratz’s storytelling.

Sounds exciting, right?

For those who admire Gratz’s ability to weave complex characters and poignant historical contexts, finding similar authors can elevate your reading experience.

This article highlights 12 authors like Alan Gratz, each bringing their own unique twist while maintaining that heartfelt connection and thrilling pace we crave.

Prepare to meet your next favorite author as we delve into narratives that promise to resonate with every reader who appreciates Gratz’s craft.

12 Authors Like Alan Gratz​

1. Jennifer A. Nielsen

Writing Style & Themes:
Jennifer A. Nielsen crafts powerful and emotionally resonant historical fiction that speaks directly to younger readers while honoring the real-world events her stories are based on. 

Much like Alan Gratz, she excels at placing brave and resilient young protagonists in the middle of gripping historical crises. 

Her writing is clear and accessible, yet layered with emotional depth, making her books both educational and incredibly engaging. 

Nielsen’s stories often explore themes like resistance, survival, identity and courage while focusing on kids who must rise to the occasion when the world around them falls apart. 

She has a talent for showing how even the smallest acts of defiance can have a huge impact, especially during moments of war and upheaval.

Notable Books/Series:

• Resistance
• A Night Divided
• Words on Fire

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She writes intense and heartfelt stories about kids who show courage when it matters most. 

Her books inspire empathy, strength and the belief that one voice can make a difference.

Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Website: https://jennielsen.com/

2. Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Writing Style & Themes:
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch writes deeply moving historical fiction that centers on young people caught in the shadows of war and oppression. 

Like Alan Gratz, she gives voice to the forgotten or lesser-known stories of World War II especially those involving Ukrainian children and forced labor under the Nazis. 

Her prose is simple yet evocative, blending emotional authenticity with a strong sense of place and historical accuracy. 

Skrypuch doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities her characters face but she always infuses her stories with resilience, hope and the will to survive.

Notable Books/Series:

• Making Bombs for Hitler
• Stolen Child
• Don’t Tell the Nazis

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She uncovers hidden stories of WWII with deep compassion, giving young readers both historical insight and unforgettable emotional journeys.

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s Website: https://www.calla.com/

3. Andy Marino

Writing Style & Themes:
Andy Marino combines true historical events with page-turning suspense, bringing readers straight into the intensity of real-life resistance and espionage. 

In the spirit of Alan Gratz, his storytelling focuses on ordinary teens thrust into extraordinary situations, often set against the backdrop of pivotal moments in history. 

Marino’s writing is tight, fast-paced and filled with tension, ideal for young readers who love action with historical depth. 

He doesn’t just recount history, he makes readers feel it.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Plot to Kill Hitler
• Uncrashable Dakota
• Dagger Hill

Why Readers Will Love Him:
He turns history into a high-stakes thriller with strong characters and intense real-world stakes that keep readers hooked from page one.

Andy Marino’s Website: https://www.andy-marino.com/the-swarm 

4. Michael P. Spradlin

Writing Style & Themes:
Michael P. Spradlin writes action-packed historical adventures that blend rich detail with cinematic energy. 

Like Alan Gratz, he places courageous young characters in the middle of dangerous missions and global conflict. 

His stories often explore honor, loyalty and survival set in real historical periods where every decision counts. 

Spradlin’s straightforward and energetic prose makes his books especially appealing to middle-grade and young teen readers who enjoy fast-paced plots with real emotional stakes.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Youngest Templar
• Spy Camp: Prisoner of War
• Into the Killing Seas

Why Readers Will Love Him:
His books are full of danger, daring missions and unstoppable young heroes who fight for what’s right even when the odds are stacked against them.

Michael P. Spradlin’s Website: https://www.michaelspradlin.com/

5. Graham Salisbury

Writing Style & Themes:
Graham Salisbury brings the Pacific theater of World War II to life through thoughtful and emotionally layered narratives. 

His stories often focus on young boys grappling with loyalty, fear and identity during wartime. 

Like Alan Gratz, Salisbury’s work is grounded in historical accuracy but what truly stands out is his ability to explore moral complexity through the eyes of youth. 

His writing is quieter and more reflective with vivid settings and characters who feel achingly real. 

Salisbury often writes from a personal place, having family ties to Hawaii and its wartime legacy, which adds an authentic voice to his storytelling.

Notable Books/Series:

• Hunt for the Bamboo Rat
• Under the Blood-Red Sun
• Eyes of the Emperor

Why Readers Will Love Him:
He captures the emotional and moral challenges of war with honesty and heart, giving readers a deeply personal lens into history.

Graham Salisbury’s Website: https://www.grahamsalisbury.com/

6. Margi Preus

Writing Style & Themes:
Margi Preus writes gripping historical fiction that blends rich cultural detail with the suspense of resistance and espionage. 

Like Alan Gratz, she tells stories of teens rising to the challenge in the face of tyranny, especially in lesser-known WWII settings. 

Her characters often live in occupied territories and must navigate both survival and ethical choices. 

Preus writes with clarity and empathy making even the most complex historical events accessible to middle grade readers. 

Her storytelling is atmospheric and full of quiet heroism often inspired by real-life figures.

Notable Books/Series:

• Shadow on the Mountain
• Village of Scoundrels
• West of the Moon

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She weaves suspenseful and real-world tales with courage, culture and quiet strength which is perfect for readers who love unsung heroes and smart historical adventure.

Margi Preus’s Website: https://www.margipreus.com/

7. Atia Abawi

Writing Style & Themes:
Atia Abawi writes powerful and emotionally charged fiction that gives voice to those living through modern conflicts. 

Drawing from her background as a journalist in the Middle East, she brings a rare authenticity to her stories especially those about war, displacement and the refugee experience. 

Like Alan Gratz, she shines a light on real-world tragedies through the eyes of young characters, helping readers understand complex issues with clarity and compassion. 

Her writing is vivid, heartfelt and deeply human.

Notable Books/Series:

• A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
• The Secret Sky
• She Persisted: Sally Ride

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She writes with raw honesty and compassion helping readers connect with global struggles through unforgettable and deeply human stories.

Atia Abawi’s Website: https://www.atiaabawi.com/

8. Veera Hiranandani

Writing Style & Themes:
Veera Hiranandani blends personal history with lyrical storytelling to explore identity, culture and the impact of political change. 

Her stories often center around young protagonists grappling with life during times of social or historical upheaval. 

Like Alan Gratz, she connects the past to young readers in a way that’s engaging, heartfelt and easy to relate to. 

Her work is especially notable for tackling difficult topics like India’s partition with a gentle but powerful voice, often using diary-style formats to bring readers even closer to her characters’ inner worlds.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Night Diary
• Amal Unbound (contributor, co-authored with Aisha Saeed)
• How to Find What You’re Not Looking For

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She writes tender and soul-stirring stories that explore identity and resilience through the eyes of thoughtful and  curious young narrators.

Veera Hiranandani’s Website: https://www.veerahiranandani.com/

9. Kathryn Lasky

Writing Style & Themes:
Kathryn Lasky is known for rich historical fiction that focuses on characters living through some of history’s darkest moments. 

Her stories often feature strong female leads and she doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional and physical toll of war, persecution and survival.

Like Alan Gratz, Lasky makes history deeply personal by zooming in on individual voices. 

She’s especially skilled at weaving lesser-known historical angles such as the persecution of Roma people into compelling and fast-paced narratives that educate as much as they inspire.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Extra
• Ashes
• Guardians of Ga’Hoole (for younger readers, fantasy with historical echoes)

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She brings hidden corners of history into the light through fierce and unforgettable characters who refuse to be silenced.

Kathryn Lasky’s Website: https://kathrynlasky.com/

10. Susan Hood

Writing Style & Themes:
Susan Hood blends poetic storytelling with gripping historical events, often focusing on real-life acts of bravery during wartime. 

Her writing is accessible yet impactful, with a gift for revealing heroism in quiet moments. 

Like Alan Gratz, she introduces young readers to important stories from history, particularly those involving survival, courage and children’s roles in times of crisis. 

She often writes in verse or hybrid formats which makes her work engaging and ideal for reluctant readers or those who enjoy a rhythmic and emotional reading experience.

Notable Books/Series:

• Lifeboat 12
• Ada’s Violin
• Titan and the Wild Boars

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She tells true stories with a poetic voice shining a light on unsung heroes through heartfelt and deeply inspiring narratives.

Susan Hood’s Website: https://www.susanhoodbooks.com/

11. Joseph Bruchac

Writing Style & Themes:
Joseph Bruchac writes deeply rooted stories that honor Native American history, culture and identity especially during pivotal historical events like World War II. 

His work often focuses on underrepresented perspectives, most notably the Navajo Code Talkers and he writes with great care and authenticity. 

Like Alan Gratz, he gives young readers a window into overlooked stories of courage and survival while also celebrating cultural heritage.

Bruchac’s writing is clear, powerful and filled with respect for tradition and truth.

Notable Books/Series:

• Code Talker
• Two Roads
• Rez Dogs

Why Readers Will Love Him:
He shares important and often unheard stories with quiet strength and dignity, celebrating heritage, bravery and the power of voice.

Joseph Bruchac’s Website: https://josephbruchac.com/

12. Margaret Peterson Haddix

Writing Style & Themes:
Margaret Peterson Haddix writes twisty and suspenseful fiction that blends historical settings with thrilling plots and thought-provoking ideas. 

Her books often explore hidden histories, secret identities and unexpected adventures all wrapped in fast-paced accessible storytelling. 

While not always grounded in war like Alan Gratz’s, her historical novels share a similar drive: uncovering truth through the eyes of brave young characters. 

Haddix has a talent for keeping readers on the edge of their seats while slipping in deeper themes about justice, identity and courage.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Girl with the Witch’s Tattoo
• Uprising
• Torn (The Missing series)

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She mixes mystery, history and suspense in a way that keeps readers hooked while sparking curiosity about the past.

Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Website: https://www.haddixbooks.com/

Takeaway On the Authors Similar To Alan Gratz

From Jennifer A. Nielsen’s gripping resistance to Veera Hiranandani’s heartfelt exploration of identity, these authors similar to Alan Gratz continue the important work of bringing history to life through the eyes of young people.

Whether it’s Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s powerful stories of survival, Joseph Bruchac’s rich cultural narratives or Susan Hood’s emotional take on wartime courage, each writer offers something meaningful, moving and unforgettable.

If you’ve been drawn to the way Alan Gratz blends real events with brave and relatable characters, this list is the perfect place to find your next favorite read.

Let us know in the comments below which of the above authors like Alan Gratz you’ve read before or if there’s one we have forgotten.