20+ of the Best Books Every 4th Grader Should Read
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If you have 4th graders in your homeschool or classroom this year, you might be looking for some books to have on hand for independent reading or other learning activities. Here’s a great list of books every 4th grader should read that you can use to begin your library stockpile!
Reading books is not only a way to practice vocabulary, become a better speller, and focus on literacy, but it’s also a way for your kids to be creative and let their imagination run wild.
I’ve got two 4th graders in our homeschool this year – my twin girls! Our curriculum comes with some fantastic books they’ll be reading this year, including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Sarah Plain and Tall, but sometimes we struggle to find good books for them to read for “fun”.
So, I’m getting my act together early and started a search for a few books to add to our reading list this year, and I thought I’d share it with you. Here is a list of books every 4th grader should read that you can give a try this year.
Books Every 4th Grader Should Read
Whether you’re looking for the best books to read aloud, make a novel study, or do independent reading in your homeschool, it can be hard to find books with engaging plots that will work for your upper elementary kids (especially any reluctant readers).
When I’m searching for books for my kids, I’ll get recommendations from other homeschooling moms, Amazon, and browsing our local library. Some are great, award-winning books books I remember reading myself when I was my kids’ age!
Note About 4th Grade Reading Level
While the following books will be a wonderful place to start and add to your own 4th grade reading list, keep in mind that your kids may have different reading and grade level needs – and that’s okay! Some of these might be easy reads, and some might be too hard at first go (those might make the best family read-alouds for now!).
Pick out the ones that will work best for your kids, both interest-wise and ability-wise, and just enjoy sparking that love of reading in your kids.
Let’s get to the top picks!
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
This will be a great first book to kick off the year; I remember Roald Dahl being one of my favorite authors during my elementary school years! Your fourth graders will love following Mr. Fox as he makes a fantastic plan to steal the farmer’s chickens. This book has many cliff hangers and is packed with action, and is a wonderful read-aloud if you have younger readers in your homeschool as well.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
This is a classic that I remember reading back in the day – I can’t wait to share it with my kids this year. Follow main character Billy and his two dogs through Cherokee country as their skills are put to the test as they brave the dangers of the wilds.
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
This is a heavy book, and I wouldn’t recommend for your kiddos younger than 4th grade – just preview it first (there might be tears!). In The Bridge Home, four determined homeless children are trying to make a life for themselves by using their instinct and grit to survive.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
This great story follows Karana, an Indian girl who lived alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins, and tells a tale of personal discovery, courage, and natural beauty. It’s loosely based on the life of an actual woman who came to be known as the Lost Woman of San Nicolas, who lived on an island alone off the California Coast.
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
In this Newberry Award-Winning book, Marty makes a best friend in a young beagle that finds it’s way to him. Marty names him Shiloh, and as he learns about the beagle’s rough life, he also learns just what he will go through to save his dog.
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
This is another Newberry Medal-Winner, and might be an easier read than other 4th grade reading books. If your kids enjoy historical fiction and stories like Little House on the Prairie, they will love this first book in a 5-book series about family life on the plains in the late nineteenth century.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
This children’s book from 1974 has stood the test of time, and makes the favorite books list for many young readers. While thoughtful at times, it’s also a very funny book everyone should have on their shelves. Silverstein’s collection of poems and sketches will stretch your child’s imagination and be cherished for a lifetime.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
If this is your first time through the Chronicles of Narnia fantasy with your kids, you may be tempted to begin with the Magician’s Nephew, which is technically the first book chronologically in the classic series (although published later!). However, I’d start with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and save the Magician’s Nephew for right before you read the final book in the series. Your kids will love the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they discover the world of Narnia.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
We actually read this entire series aloud as a family over the course of a year, and my kids were in 2nd and 3rd grade at the time. Our entire family enjoyed it, and we definitely made some precious memories! So if your 4th grader hasn’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it as a read-aloud or for independent reading.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
This story follows Jonas, who lives a colorless and ideal life until he begins to understand the dark and complex secrets behind his fragile community.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Jesse and his good friend Leslie create a fantastic special hideaway where their friendship grows and Jesse’s colorless rural world expands.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
August was born with a facial difference that has kept him from going to a mainstream school, until fifth grade. This novel will teach your kids about friendship and Auggie’s desperate desire for acceptance.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Follow the Penderwicks as they go on adventures from starting a dog-walking business to chaotic misadventures.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Another book from Roald Dahl that I remember loving as a kid! James, living with his awful aunts after his parents’ deaths, accidentally drops crystals with magical powers on an old peach…and strange things start to happen inside. This fun and interesting read is especially great if your 4th grader is just beginning to read chapter books.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Truly a timeless favorite! The friendship between Wilbur, a pig, and Charlotte, a spider, comes to life in this classic novel that is more than 50 years old.
All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey
A touch of magic and adventure combine in this story about a young girl trying to find her way in the foster care system in search of where she belongs.
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
This chapter book series is another favorite in our household – even for my reluctant reader! Your kids will love following Jack and Annie s they travel throughout the world and history in each captivating story. Another great option for kids beginning with chapter books.
Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Series by M.J. Thomas
I first stumbled upon this series at a homeschool convention, and purchased it for my son. Each week, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on the next book in the series! It’s written for grade levels 1-4, but even as a 4th grader my son loved this adventure-packed series. Peter and Mary (and their dog, Hank), must solve the meaning of ancient scrolls that have sent them back to important moments in Biblical history. Just be warned there are only 9 books in this complete series – your kids won’t want it to end!
Collar Cases by Amanda Trumpower
My daughter has really enjoyed the first book of this Christian mystery series (The Case of the Robbed Recipe), in which feline and canine investigative reporters work together to solve crime and promote justice! This chapter series is perfect for kids ages 7-11, and will definitely engage them and make them laugh. I love how each book is centered around a Bible verse as a theme, and there is even a devotional for your family at the back so you can study together after your child enjoys the book!
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Hugo is a clock keeper, orphan, and thief who lives in the walls of a Paris train station and whose life is changed forever when he meets a bookish girl and old man.
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Did you realize the movie was based on a novel? Your kids will love the classic story of the magical nanny in this set of books and about their crazy adventures.
Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady
Wish you could find a book series to coax your kids to put down their video games and actually read? This might just do it! This series is well-loved be kids elementary through middle school ages, and your 4th grader will love it (especially if they love video games).
Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish
This box set has the first four books of the Amelia Bedelia chapter books with four funny stories about her crazy misadventures.
Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
Follow the story of Cat and her special bond with her brother Chicken and how they learn to heal broken relationships with others.
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Another homeschool convention find for us, and is proving to be a challenging yet interesting read for my upper elementary-aged kids! The Wingfeather Saga is a 4-book fantasy series (book 1 is “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness”) about the Igiby family in the land of Aerwiar, a war-torn land destroyed by Gnag the Nameless. As you get through the quirkiness of the first few chapters and become more comfortable with the names, places, and characters, this will be another one your kids won’t want to put down.
Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake (a boy’s detention center) for the summer, where hard work and digging 5 foot holes each day is how they are supposed to learn and build character. But there is much more going on than meets the eye in this adventure story! This is a book that more advanced readers will enjoy, as it’s recommended closer to a 5th grade reading level.
I hope you enjoyed this list of some of the best 4th grade books! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments: which of these are books you would recommend? Which ones did I leave out that should have made the cut? Let me know!
And any of these books would be great to use for a book report. As a thank you for reading, you can grab my Book Report Template for FREE when you join my subscriber list below:
Happy reading!
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We are big Andrew Peterson fans (for almost 30 years as a fact) and both our kids LOVE the Wingfeather Saga. We read them aloud when my (now) 20 year old son was little, and he met Andrew and got him to sign one of his books when he was around age 9. Now my littlest (currently age 8) is enjoying the audiobooks while we are in the car. They are narrated by Andrew himself, and are very well read (Andrew has a previous history of narrating audiobooks for other authors). You may also be able to find on Andrew’s facebook page where he read the books live every evening for a period of time during the pandemic. I am not sure if those are still available or not.
Another couple of fun reads by Andrew’s cohorts are “The Wilderking Trilogy” by Jonathan Edwards, and “The Green Ember” series by S.D. Smith.
I love this!! We tried the Green Ember a while ago, but I think my kids were too young still. I might need to give it another try soon, I hear such great things about it.