Books for grade 4. This list of suggested reading books for grade 4 children has been curated and compiled for elementary school children aged 9-10. There is a range of exciting and thought-provoking books to suit all abilities, including easy readers and more difficult texts. Over the course of a year, these stories should inspire both those who find reading a struggle, and also challenge more confident pupils. This list of 4th-grade reading recommendations includes titles by Varian Johnson, J.K. Rowling, Laura Ingalls-Wilder, Tania Del Rio, Thanhha Lai, Angie Thomas, Arnold Lobel, Rick Riordan and more.
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
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