Books for Grade 4 – our recommendations

Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas
Nic Blake is a ‘Remarkable’ in an Unremarkable world. Her quest to harness Manifestor powers takes a thrilling turn when she embarks on a journey to try and save her father from wrongful imprisonment. Blending adventure, magic, and African-American culture, this is an engaging fantasy that’s ideal for whole-class reading.
Adventure | Fantasy

Funny Girl by Betsy Bird
This eclectic book includes short stories, personal essays, comics, and poetry by female authors such as Lisa Graff, Cece Bell, Jenni Holm, Shannon Hale, and Rita Williams-Garcia. Tales of babysitting nightmares, bathtub fires, and even a Tic Tac up a nostril will have middle-grade readers grinning and wanting to read more.
Short stories

The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Sai hides her family’s criminal background while helping a renowned mapmaker. Seizing the chance to join a dangerous expedition to discover a mythical land of dragons, she unexpectedly uncovers dark secrets. This gripping story explores themes of dreams, who you are, and family history.
Adventure | Fantasy

Playing the Cards You’re Dealt by Varian Johnson
As Anthony Joplin gears up for a prestigious Spades card game tournament, he finds an unlikely partner in Shirley, a Spades whiz. Exploring themes of masculinity, family secrets, and growing up. this compelling story blends card game strategy with tough life lessons. A good text to discuss in book clubs.
Friendship | Diverse

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis
An informative and factual middle-grade book, reflecting on the repercussions of the 1957 Indian Relocation Act. Regina and her family are told that her tribe no longer exists and they are forced to move to Los Angeles. Away from the reservation that she’s always known, Regina has to begin a new life. A useful book to spark discussions about race and American identity.
Diverse | Historical

Wings of Fire series by Tui T Sutherland
An epic fantasy story about wars between tribes of dragons. Can Clay Tsunami Glory Starflight and sunny find a way to save the world before it’s too late?
Graphic novel

Fables by Arnold Lobel
A beautifully illustrated book full of classic fables including funny stories and stories which will get your child to think.
Fables

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Milo is bored with everything and has nothing to do. But one day a tollbooth unexpectedly appears in his room. When Milo goes into the tollbooth he finds himself transported into another world which is far more interesting than his real life. A modern classic.
Classic

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s modern classic about Harry’s discovery of a magical world which ordinary people – muggles – are not aware of. An ideal book to get your child interested in reading.
Fantasy

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice travels down a rabbit hole into a strange and unexpected world where nothing is quite as it seems. Danger and uncertainty lurk. This edition has fantastic illustrations to fire your child’s artistic imagination.
Classic

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
When Roz the robot finds herself unexpectedly marooned on an island, she knows she needs to learn how to survive – fast – in this fast-paced thriller. A more advanced book for grade 4 children.
Adventure

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The complete set of captivating adventure novels based on Greek gods, myths, and fantastic creatures – told in a modern and fast-paced style.
Adventure

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
An atmospheric and page-turning mystery novel set beneath the Biltmore Hotel. Children start vanishing – can Serafina and her friend Braeden find out why? A gripping read for grade 4 children.
Mystery

Six Dots by Jen Bryant
The illustrated life story of Louis Braille and how he invented a system of reading for the blind. Inspiring.
Picture book | Biography

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
When Dad goes out to buy the groceries and takes rather longer than expected; he has some incredible stories to tell about his perilous quest for breakfast cereals – involving pirates, aliens, and wumpires. Very funny.
Humor

George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl’s classic tale about the lengths George will go to in order to deal with his horrible grandmother. George invents a medicine that might just cure everything. Ideal for group reading in grade 4.
Humor

The Witches by Roald Dahl
A young orphan lives with his Norwegian grandmother who tells him incredible stories about evil witches who can smell children. Then he meets some. Will he find a way to elude them? A favorite book for grade 4 students.
Fantasy

Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio
An atmospheric mystery story about Warren – the 13th of his line – who is due to inherit a large dilapidated hotel. Somewhere inside is a priceless treasure of myth and legend. Can he battle witches and monsters to find it first?
Mystery

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A classic tale of the author’s life as a pioneer in Kansas. Beautifully illustrated, this is a tale of family unity in times of frontier hardship.
Classic

The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Ghost Ship by Vicki Lockwood
Part of a series, this book is an engaging adventure mystery set in England. Lizzie Brown must solve a mysterious burglary involving a ghost ship. What secrets is the strange seaside town hiding? This is an ideal book for grade 4 readers who are more confident.
Mystery | Adventure

A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson
An award-winning illustrated book about the childhood hardships of Charles Dickens in nineteenth century London.
Biography

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A little prince appears before a marooned pilot and goes on a journey to different worlds – each only containing one person. A modern classic with clever illustrations.
Classic

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Brought up by wolves, Mowgli learns about the world from the animals around him. A classic story – with vivid characters – which inspired the famous Disney film. A great group reading book for grade 4.
Classic

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
Bartholemew and Hetties are Peculiars – secretive creatures who try desperately to remain invisible to and unnoticed by ordinary people. But when other Peculiars are being killed, they suddenly have to act. A story that is full of magic and suspense.
Fantasy

The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck
A mouse on a mission decides to travel to Buckingham Palace to meet the queen. A ripping adventure yarn that will thrill 4th grade readers.
Animal story

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
The author’s moving first-person account of leaving Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and moving to Alabama. Poignant, and told in verse. A good book for 4th grade paired reading.
Historical | Autobiography

Real Friends by Shannon Hale
Bullies, frenemies and long-lasting true friendships fuel this fast-paced graphic novel story which will appeal to more reluctant readers in grade 4.
Graphic novel

The Right Word by Jen Bryant
The fascinating story of Roget’s Thesaurus told through the eyes of Peter Mark Roget as a child. His love of words when he was young grew into a lifetime achievement and the book we know today. Evocative and descriptive this is a great example of historical fiction for younger readers.
Historical

The Quilt Walk by Sandra Dallas
Set in rural nineteenth-century Illinois, Emmy’s grandmother gifts her a special gift for the journey west to Colorado.
Historical

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
When Opal is sent to buy the groceries, the ten-year-old instead returns with a dog. Not just any dog, Winn-Dixie helps Opal with finding not only new friends but deeply hidden family secrets. A classic, ideal for reading aloud in grade 4.
Classic

Extraordinary by Miriam Spitzer Franklin
A powerful story about Pansy who looks forward to meeting her best friend last year, Anna at the next summer camp. But in the year that has passed, Anna’s world has changed completely, and Pansy doesn’t know how to deal with it. A great book for grade 4 to discuss disability and change.
Diverse

Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers
When Liberty Porter’s father is elected President her life changes completely. She decides to throw herself into her new role as first daughter, but will she persuade her parents to buy her a horse? A funny book that will appeal to reluctant readers.
Humor

Frindle by Andrew Clements
When Nick decides to invent a new word for a pen – the Frindle – all his friends start using the word, then the whole town, and pretty soon the new word is out of control. A fun book to read aloud in grade 4.
Humor

The Girl With the Glass Bird by Esme Kerr
Edie has been sent away to an old-fashioned boarding school in the countryside. But she’s not there to study. In fact, her uncle has sent her their to spy on Russian royalty and solve the mystery of a missing work of art.
Mystery

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
A beautifully illustrated and well written collection of Greek Myths which will appeal to readers in the 4th grade.
Myths

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
In this clever reinterpretation of The Snow Queen, Ophelia goes on a dangerous journey fraught with peril to rescue a boy locked in a room by the scary Snow Queen. Exciting and descriptive, this book is bound to be a hit with more confident 4th grade readers.
Adventure

Woundabout by Lev Rosen
In this imaginative fantasy, Connor and his sister Cordelia are sent to live in the strange town of Woundabout. When they discover a strange machine, they realize winding it can change everything for the better – but not everyone wants to change. A fascinating story for more advanced readers.
Fantasy | Adventure

Books for Grade 5 – our recommendations

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
Siblings Cash, Fitch, and Bird navigate the challenges of family turmoil, school and life in the midst of waiting for the exciting upcoming ‘teacher in space’ shuttle launch. Set against the backdrop of the Challenger disaster in 1986, this award-winning middle-grade novel explores themes of family, identity, and never giving up on your dreams. A memorable read.
Historical Fiction | Science

Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White
The Sinister-Winterbottom twins, Theo and Alexander, and their elder sister, Wil, spend the summer at Fathoms of Fun Waterpark in this creepy middle-grade horror. Strange things happen, park officials vanish, and the twins are plunged into danger. Will they solve the clues and unravel the mystery? It’s ideal for pupils who enjoy “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
Horror | Mystery

Stamped (for Kids) by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
Through engaging storytelling, Stamped (for Kids) encourages young readers to talk about racism, social justice, and equality. It explores the history of racism and antiracism in the United States with clear arguments and examples, making complex concepts accessible for 5th graders. Ideal for book clubs.
Racism

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
A middle-grade story of self-discovery. Edie finds a box in the attic – full of letters – and a photo of a woman that looks like her. But her mother, who was adopted, refuses to explain further. So begins a quest to find the truth, full of difficult moments, tragedy and revelations. An important book that provides a good starting point to discuss the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act.
Historical | Diverse

The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
Filled with beautiful and evocative images, and sparing yet moving text, this picture book captures the sense of hopelessness and despair that children can sometimes feel. After walking through dark and disturbing landscapes, a beacon of hope appears in the shape of a red leaf. When dawn breaks, a red tree is revealed as a symbol of hope and renewal.
Picture book

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
When a mysterious stranger arrives at the Wallace household, Meg and Charles’ world is changed forever and they set out on a quest to find their missing father. A great science fiction mystery story.
Science Fiction | Classic

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A fascinating story told from the point of view of Ivan, a captive gorilla. One day, after years in a cave, Ivan sees life differently when a baby Elephant arrives at the zoo. A great story about friendship.
Animal story

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Magee is an orphan child who lives with his aunt and uncle. One day he decides to run away and start on a series of heroic and unexpected achievements which change his life and his town forever.
Adventure

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The classic story of Pippi, who has wild hair and an even wilder, sassy outlook on life, getting up to all sorts of mischiefs. A very funny book and ideal for reluctant readers.
Classic

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
A stunning set of stories about the orphaned Baudelaire children and the increasingly dark situations they manage to scrape through, including avoiding the money-grabbing clutches of the evil Count Olaf.
Adventure | Mystery

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
An inventive and slightly scary graphic novel about a young girl looking for new adventures who gets caught up in a strange situation that requires all her courage to escape from.
Graphic novel

The Borrowers by Mary Norton
A modern classic about little people who live unnoticed in the walls and under the floors in a country house. Charming, this book is a great read full of twists and turns.
Classic

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The original and timeless pirate adventure story, full of cliffhangers and plot turns. A thrilling read from start to finish and full of unforgettable characters.
Adventure | Classic

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
A classic fantasy and allegory story, written at the turn of the 20th century. The timeless story of Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Toto, The Wizard and the Wicked Witch of the West will still resonate with middle-grade children. There’s also a series of lesser-known sequels.
Classic | Fantasy

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
When Jess and Leslie become friends through a shared love of track running, they spend time creating an imaginary world – Terabithia. But when Leslie goes there without Jess, something terrible happens and life will never be the same. A modern classic.
Classic

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A touching and thought-provoking story about Auggie, who wants to be like everyone else but struggles with how the other fifth graders react to his unique face. A great book to help children empathize with differences and understand the importance of inclusion.
Diverse

Descendants series by Melissa de la Cruz
This gripping and imaginative spinoff from the Disney movies Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent is set in the world of Maleficent. High fantasy adventure and strong characters dominate this series which is great for reluctant readers who can watch the films first.
Fantasy | Adventure

Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis’s classic series of children’s fantasy books – best known for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – has captivated young readers for generations. Fantasy, good vs evil, and adventure underpin these parallel world adventures where the lead characters are middle-grade children. This is an ideal 5th-grade reading book series for the classroom.
Fantasy | Classic

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
This beautifully written novel flits between two characters and time periods – Nya, a girl in 2008 and Salva, a boy in 1985. Both live in Sudan, searching for their families and safety from war.
Historical | Diverse

The Tapper Twins by Geoff Rodkey
Set in the modern digital world, the Tapper Twins Claudia and Reese are always looking to prank each other in school and online. A very funny and easy-to-read graphic/illustrated novel but also thought-provoking.
Humor

The Water and the Wild by K.E. Ormsbee
Elliot is ill and gets more and more sick by the day. Lottie doesn’t know what to do until she discovers a route to another world through the roots of an old apple tree. Although there’s plenty of danger, she hopes to find a magic cure.
Fantasy

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
A must-read modern classic for middle-grade children. Omri was hoping for a little more than a cheap plastic toy for his birthday. But through unexpected and old magic, the toy is turned into a real person. Can Omri keep him secret?
Classic

Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern
Benny isn’t enjoying school. He doesn’t have a friend, isn’t good at bike tricks and blames himself for things that have gone wrong at home. When he thinks things can’t get any worse, he slowly realizes his caring nature is all that he needs to survive. A great book to inspire resilience.
School story

Lost in the Pacific by Tod Olson
A gripping survival story set in WW2. When a USAF bomber runs out of fuel over the Pacific Ocean, a great war hero on a top-secret mission is in great danger. The only option is to ditch in the sea. Can the crew survive? This is a great 5th-grade reading book for reluctant readers.
Historical | Adventure

The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele
John Coggin runs away from home with sister Page to avoid a life in the family coffin-making business. But soon they find themselves in great danger. Darkly humorous, with strange and colorful characters. Ideal for grade 5 readers interested in science and making things.
Humor | STEM

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
When Mary’s family move from the city to a farmhouse in the country, her life changes completely, and she is drawn into a simpler, kinder world full of adventure and awe. Full of happiness, this book is ideal for children interested in the outdoors and wild places.
Adventure

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson
Fast- paced, with short chapters and gripping plots, this series of adventures is ideal for reluctant readers in grade 5. Think Clive Cussler style page-turners for ten-year-olds in grade 5.
Adventure

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
A unique series of books about a skeleton private investigator with an attitude who solves mysteries and fights crime. Edgy, but fun and easy to read. A gripping series for grade 5 readers.
Horror | Mystery

The What on Earth Timeline Collection by Christopher Lloyd
These visually stunning and huge foldout books can either be used as wall charts or room-length friezes. They are full of facts and illustrations that children can walk around to read. Quite unique, the books cover history, nature and science topics in vast detail. This is an ideal 5th-grade reading book for the classroom.
Non fiction

Stuart Little by E.B. White
Stuart Little is a mouse who has lived with his family in New York his entire life. But when his best friend Margalo disappears, he ventures outside to search. By the author of Charlotte’s Web. Perfect to read aloud in grade 5.
Classic | Animal story

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Set in the Pacific islands of Polynesia, Maftu – the son of a great chief – is afraid of the ocean. When a storm comes, he is determined to show everyone his courage. Inspiring and timeless. A great 5th-grade class reader.
Adventure

Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup
Adela is a princess who would rather be a gardener than part of the royal family. When she visits the enigmatic Lady Hortensia’s spectacular garden, she realizes there’s something very strange about her plants – which flower even in fall and winter. An atmospheric and interesting novel.
Middle-grade novel

Half Upon a Time by James Riley
Jack, the son of Jack and the Beanstalk Jack, meets Princess May from the land of punk in his journey to fix his family’s bean-thieving reputation. A very funny and interesting fantasy world take on the classic children’s folk tale.
Fantasy | Fairy tale

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers
Annabel cannot bear her mother, sister and brother; chores and being told off. Longing to be an adult, one day she wakes up as her mother! But her dreams of watching TV all the time and eating whatever she likes don’t quite work out as planned.
Humor | Middle-grade novel

The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
Charlie wishes she could catch a fish so big it would pay for an amazing dress for the next dance competition. But when she hooks a magical speaking fish that can grant wishes, things don’t go to plan at all in this hilariously funny family story of resilience and independence. A great story for grade 5 book clubs.
Fantasy | Humor

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith
Rabitts Heather and Picket live in a world of power struggles, good vs evil, dynasties, treachery, and revenge in this clever combination of aminals, fantasy and quest. An ideal 5th-grade reading book for children who like animals.
Animal story | Fantasy

Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Sugar’s life is turned upside-down by the death of her grandfather and her father’s gambling. But when a new family and rescue dog Shush comes into her world, Sugar finds new and inspiring ways to survive. A heart-warming and fulfilling read.
Family

Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foer
A stunning nonfiction guide to lesser-known wonders of the world. Stunning and vibrant illustrations make this bound to appeal to more reluctant readers. A great addition to every 5th-grade library.
Narrative non fiction

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is an ideal series to hook a middle-grade child on reading. Easy to read and fast-paced, these gripping fantasy wizard school adventures develop in plot complexity and characterization throughout the seven books.
Fantasy