Best Books for 4th Graders to Captivate Readers!

Roz wakes up for the very first time alone on a remote island. Who is she? How did she get here? She doesn’t know how to answer these questions. The only thing she knows for sure is that she is a robot, and she is programmed to survive. How, though, when no one in the wild is like her? Roz must learn to adapt to her surroundings, but the only ones she can learn from are the island’s animals… and the animals aren’t so welcoming of the “monster” in their midst. Will an orphaned gosling help Roz save herself? This is one of our favorite 4th-grade book series, and my students check this out on repeat!

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This book left me emotional for days and is one of the single most important books for 4th graders (really, I think it should be required reading for all tweens, both boys and girls.) When Ellie was just five years old, she wore a whale swimsuit to a party and made a big splash in the pool. Ever since then, she has been bullied and fat-shamed about her weight. While she has a set of “Fat-Girl Rules” that she lives by daily, Ellie feels free only in the pool. There, she’s weightless, and she can take up all the room she wants, unlike how she feels at school and even in her own house. School is hard enough, but her classmates aren’t the only ones that make Ellie feel bad about her weight. Her mom is on her too, believing that if she criticizes Ellie enough, Ellie will be motivated to diet. With the help of her dad and a wonderful therapist, Ellie may learn just what she needs to be her very best self — no matter her size.

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The South is segregated, and young Stella can’t go into all the stores she wants to, much less talk to all the people in town. Though the Ku Klux Klan has seemingly left them alone for quite some time, this all changes on a night that Stella and her brother find themselves wandering around outside late at night and stumble upon a scene they definitely shouldn’t see. It is a sign of unrest to come, and as her town is rattled by racism, Stella decides it’s time to be brave and take action. Breathtaking!

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In this Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut in the valley of Fruitless mountain with her parents. Her family is very poor, but her father tells her tales of Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon who can answer all of life’s most difficult questions. Eager to help change her family’s circumstances, Minli sets out on a quest to find the Old Man on the Moon so as to determine how she can change her family’s fortune. Along the way, Minli meets many magical creatures, learns some valuable lessons about greed, and discovers the most valuable fortune may be the one you least anticipate.

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In this tender story, siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are orphaned after their not-so-grandmotherly grandmother passes away. They need a guardian in order to stay together, but it’s the height of World War II, and caregivers for orphaned children aren’t so easy to find. In a far-fetched plan, the three kids evacuate from London to the countryside, hoping to be placed in a home that lasts forever. But will their plan work, or will the siblings be torn apart? I absolutely love this story of what it means to be a family, and it is one of my new favorite books for 4th graders!

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In this beautiful Newbery Honor book, Jude and her mother leave Jude’s beloved father and older brother behind in Syria. As Syria grapples with unrest and turmoil, Jude and her mom settle with relatives in their new home in Cincinnati. Though life moves faster than she’s used to, and she lives with her less-than-welcoming cousin, Jude begins to settle into her new surroundings, making friends with other immigrants as she figures out where exactly she belongs. With themes of identity, family, immigration, and war, this exquisite novel in verse about a young girl seeking to find her place in her new world is one of our favorite novels in verse for 4th grade.

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Will a tween be able to survive middle school with only one eye open? Unfortunately for Ross Maloy, he’s about to find out. When Ross is diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer, he knows that blending in with the other kids in seventh grade is out of the question. Instead, Ross will have to battle hair loss, eye medicines, radiation, and weird hats, all while fighting to overcome his illness. This is a brilliant look at a middle schooler with cancer, and it is filled with enough humor and hope to make a tough subject accessible for kids. The story includes Ross’s black and white cartoon drawings which capture his creativity and all the angst that come along with not just being in middle school but his unique circumstances as well. This one is not to be missed!

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Amari is a Black tween from the housing projects who believes her big brother, Quinton, is still alive — even if no one else agrees. When Amari one day discovers a ticking briefcase in Quinton’s closet containing a nomination for her tryout to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she suddenly knows there is a lot to discover behind his sudden disappearance. Was there more to her brother than meets the eye? Is there more to Amari herself? Most importantly, is magic actually real? Amari is a strong Black girl who is witty, persistent, and smarter than she realizes. Her story brilliantly tackles issues of racism, classism, poverty, and profiling, all wrapped up in a fast-paced middle grade fantasy that leaves you turning pages with a ferocity you never knew. This is one of the very best books for 4th graders that I cannot keep out of my students’ hands!

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Some books simply stand the test of time, and this story about Jess and Leslie is one of them. Jess is determined to be the fastest runner in fifth grade. On the first day of school, however, the new girl, Leslie, beats him. Despite her win, the two quickly become friends, spending many of their days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent a magical land called Terabithia. But one morning, when Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess, tragedy occurs. This enduring classic has been cherished for more than forty years for its tenderness, exploration of grief and loss, and the way it speaks so authentically to children. This is a classic and one of the all-time best books for 4th graders!

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Winner of the 2021 Newbery Award, this is the story of a girl, her ill grandmother, and a magical tiger. And friends, it is breathtaking! When Lili, her mom and her older sister move in to care for Lili’s halmoni, Lili begins seeing a tiger straight out of the folktales Halmoni used to tell Lili and Sam. And Lili doesn’t just see the tiger — she talks to her, too. It seems that Halmoni stole something from the tiger many, many years ago, and now the tiger wants it back. Lili has always learned from Halmoni’s stories that she must never strike a deal with a tiger, but the tiger says it will heal Halmoni if Lili complies. Will Lili make a deal — and if so, will she have the courage to keep up her end of the bargain? A beautiful, intergenerational story of courage, the healing power of stories, and the love of family, this one is an absolute treasure!

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What a fabulous and unique book that weaves Caribbean folklore into a captivating story about a girl named Kela, a mermaid, and Kela’s longing for her mother after her mother’s unexpected death. After her mother passes in an accident, Kela feels as broken as the sea glass she collects. When she discovers an ancient-looking comb in a protected coral cove, Kela knows she should leave it be. But she’s lost so much already – why not just take this treasure home? Take it home she does, and upon removing the comb, Kela awakens the wrath of the mermaid Ophidia who can feel her comb has been taken. So Kela is given a choice – if she returns the comb to Ophidia, she will be granted one wish. But what happens if she wishes for what she wants the most? That wish will have a really big price… and the suspense will keep you hanging on to every page!

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Autumn is not excited about middle school. After all, her best friend moved to California, and making new friends isn’t exactly easy for her. In a strange twist of fate, however, Autumn makes not just one but two new friends. But what happens when Autumn’s new gig as the girl behind the Dear Student column in the school newspaper causes her friends – and their desires – to collide? Autumn must find a way to be honest not just with those around her but with herself, too. Can she sustain her new friendships if she stands for what she believes in? Or will using her voice create an unfixable rift between them? With authenticity and honesty, this story delves into the trials and tribulations of tween friendship, resulting in a charming story that will leave young readers rooting for Autumn and her courage.

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I have forever loved books that highlight the unusual ways in which people connect with one another, and when you throw magic into those stories too, I’m hooked! Told in alternating perspectives, this is the story of Alder and Oak, next-door neighbors who find themselves continually thrown together through chance circumstances. There’s one problem, though. The two get off to a rocky start and must find a way to overcome their differences and embrace the magic that pushes them to join forces – and eventually brings their families together, too. With themes of longing and hope, loneliness and togetherness, and letting go of the past while embracing the future, this is a gem of a book!

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Fifth-grader Simon Barnes, also known as “Notorious D.O.G.,” loves rapping and dreams of being world-famous. But sometimes, our biggest dreams come hand in hand with our biggest fears because we must face things that scare us to accomplish our goals. When Simon’s class is assigned to give an oral presentation about an issue affecting the community, Simon must not only tackle his fear of speaking in public, but he also learns about an important challenge in his neighborhood and then must dig deep to help solve the problem. From mustering confidence to making a difference, this delightful book asks tough questions and sparks great discussion.

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In this wonderful work of historical fiction, life is frightening for Jews in Poland. Esther’s father flees to Cuba to escape Nazism, in the hopes that he will be able to send for his wife and children to join him shortly. Esther becomes the second member of her family to go to Cuba, traveling alone and by sea before she reunites with her father. Esther is devastated to be separated from her sister, Malka. Upon arriving, Esther finds solace in chronicling her new life in Cuba for Malka, including her discovery of a talent that will help raise money for the rest of her family to join them in Cuba. Esther’s newfound dressmaking abilities astound members of her new town, but antisemitism doesn’t escape Esther and her father, even in Cuba. This beautiful story of resilience is based on the author’s family and showcases ingenuity, courage, and identity. Esther’s spirit will delight tween readers who will learn from her perseverance and her continued determination to thrive despite the adversity she faces as a Jewish young woman.

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This is one of those series I just cannot keep on the shelf in my school library! After an ad runs in the newspaper calling for “gifted children looking for special opportunities,” two boys and two girls pass the mind-bending tests and succeed. Their mission? A secret challenge that only the most innovative and intelligent children can complete. Yet, they’ll have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to do so, where, surprisingly, there is only one rule: there are no rules. Will the four kids succeed? This is one to add to your child’s “must-read” list!

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This is hands down one of my favorite books for 4th grade. This powerful novel tells the story of Melody, a tween with spastic cerebral palsy who has never spoken a single word. Confined to a wheelchair and barely able to control her body, most people look at Melody and think she is mentally retarded and incapable of learning. But to the contrary, Melody is oh-so-smart, and she longs for a day when she won’t be stuck in her own head. One day, Melody discovers a device that may help her communicate with those around her. But when she discovers her voice, will others be ready to hear it? Touching and triumphant, this is a powerful look at the misconceptions that arise with disabilities and the challenges of living in a “normal” world with physical limitations.

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This is one of those stories I cannot keep on the shelf in our school library, for it is checked out as quickly as it is returned. Joe and Ravi are from different places, but there is no doubt about it: both are stuck at school. When Joe’s best friend moves away and Ravi and his family move to America from India, the two don’t believe they have anything in common. Yet soon enough, they find themselves united against the class bully, rallying together to keep from losing control. Another fabulous read, especially for kids who love stories told in alternating perspectives.

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This will forever be one of my most cherished middle-grade novels, and it is a huge favorite among my students! Set in Great Britain during World War II, ten-year-old Ada has a club foot and an abusive mother who is ashamed of Ada’s disability. Thus, Ada is locked in their small apartment in London. When evacuations begin and children are removed from London and brought to the safety of the English countryside, Ada and her brother run away to escape their mother’s wrath and join the group of evacuated children. The two are placed in the care of a woman named Susan, and though Susan claims she is “not nice,” Ada and Jamie may just learn what it means to love — and be loved in return. Ada’s story is mesmerizing — a compelling, character-driven journey (my favorite!) highlighting one’s will to survive… and eventually thrive. This is truly an outstanding book for 4th grade!

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In another children’s classic, sixteen people gather together to read Samuel Westing’s will. But a virtual stranger stands to inherit all of Westing’s fortune, and in his last mission, Westing pairs together this group of heirs and tasks them to figure out a mysterious puzzle in order to inherit their fortunes. Fans of wordplay and sleight of hand will love this novel which has stood the test of time for more than forty years.

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At the start of fifth grade, seven kids with nothing in common are thrown in Mr. Terupt’s class. There’s the new girl, of course, as well as the bully, the brain, and the outcast. Mr. Terupt seeks to foster connection, bring these students together, and help them discover their own courage and strength. But when Mr. Terupt suffers a terrible accident, his students must remember the lessons he taught them lest their lives go back to the way they were before his powerful class.

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Fifth grade doesn’t start off on the right foot when Maya learns her two best friends are in a class without her — especially since making new friends is no easy feat for Maya. But just when life feels out of her control, she discovers a robot named Ralph at Mr. Mac’s convenience store. Mr. Mac allows Maya to use her expert science skills to get Ralph up and running, and from the moment Ralph comes to life, Maya has a new friend. Yet, when her new companion is tampered with at school, Maya must find her voice and inner strength to keep her light shining bright. For lovers of STEM and science, this heartfelt story speaks to confidence, community, innovation, and, most of all, hope.

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What happens when the world’s most prominent game maker designs the new library in town? Kyle does his best to get invited to the invitation-only opening night, of course. But once he succeeds and actually attends opening night? Well, that’s the tricky part. Because when morning comes the doors are still locked. And getting into the library wasn’t nearly as challenging as finding the way out! Will Kyle and his new friends be able to solve the puzzles and clues that will lead them to the hidden escape route?

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