Books for 4th Graders

The age divisions are just a general idea. Some children may read a book which is very complex with an advanced vocabulary at a very young age. Some children enjoy more simple books at older ages. Since I am 70 and enjoy these books, I must be one of them.  I feel that a positive theme, and uplifting language are essential in children's, and my own, reading. 

Third Grade
Robert Lawson
Lawson, Robert. Rabbit Hill. New York: Viking, 1944
Lawson, Robert. The Tough Winter. New York: Viking, 1954
Lawson, Robert. Mr. Revere and I. Boston Little, Brown and Co., 1953
Lawson, Robert. Ben and Me
They Were Strong and Good by Robert Lawson

Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes books by R.A. Spratt
by Bruce Coville
Camp haunted Hills: Some of my Best Friends are Monsters
Magic Shop Books
The Teacher Is an Alien Books

Pippi Longstocking (Paperback) by Astrid Lindgren
The Borrowers (The Borrowers, all) by Mary Norton
Stuart Little (Paperback) by E.B. White (any by E.B. White)

Little House on the Prairie (Little House, all of them) by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Newberry Award)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia,
by C.S. Lewis all of them (teach of Christ)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

The Phoenix and the Carpet by E. Nesbit (classic; all Nesbit's are good)
Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard (mysteries based on her and her mother's experiences growing up in South Carolina
at the turn of the century) 

The Great Brain (Great Brain #1) by John D. Fitzgerald
( of his life growing up in Southern Utah- turn of the century)
Half Magic (Tales of Magic, #1) by Edward Eager (all of his)
The Mysteries of Spider Kane by Mary Pope Osborne (spider is detective)

The Lemonade Trick by Scott Corbett and Paul Galdone (Jan 1, 1988)
he also has several other "trick" books - fun

Beverly Cleary
Henry and Ribsy books; Ramona books; Ralph mouse books; 

The Oz books by Baum 

Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe (series)
Robert McCloskey -Centerburg Tails  and Homer Price

Mary Norton - The Borrowers
John Peterson - The Littles 

The Frog Princess series by E.D. Baker 

(Third graders and some 2nd graders would also enjoy the McCloskey,
Norton, and Howe books)

4th grade
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Newberry Award)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Newberry Award)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madaleine L'Engle (Newberry Award)
The Gammage Cup and The Whisper of Glocken by Carol Kendall (Newberry Award)
Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander (Newbery Medal author)
Dealing with Dragons (series) by Patricia C. Wrede
The last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards (yes, she also wrote children's stories)
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (classic)
The Princess and Curdie and The Princess and the Goblin by George Macdonald (classic) 

Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones

World of Howl books by Diana Wynne Jones

Tuesdays at the Castle series by Jessica Day George

Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers books by Jessica Day George

Sid Fleischman. (Newbery medal award)
McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm 
Here Comes McBroom 
Animal Adventure of India 
The White Elephant 

Historical Fiction 
Humbug Mountain (river adventure) 
By the Great Horn Spoon! (a Gold Rush Adventure in California; 
the Disney movie Bullwhip Griffin was based on this book) 
The Giant Rat of Sumatra (sailing ship; settling of early San Diego) 
The Whipping Boy (1800's prince runs away)

5th Grade
The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (some younger might like)(Newbery Award)
The Philadelphia Adventure  and all the Vesper Holly books by Lloyd Alexander (series, tongue in cheek humor)
Scrumble Series by Ingrid Law 

There are probably lots more, but these are some that I really have enjoyed.