Recommended Reading List for
Fourth/Fifth Grades
Please use the following list as a GUIDE. Sometimes a reading level is on the cover of the book, but you must decide if the book is right for you. There is a very wide range of difficulty and
interests. If you find an author you like, read other books by that author.
These are meant to be suggestions. Happy reading!
Armstrong, Jennifer Steal Away
During their dangerous journey north, two 13-year-old girls, a white orphan and a black slave, learn to trust and respect each other.
Avi Perloo
Quiet, wise Perloo is an unlikely leader of the Mortmer tribe, but Jolaine has picked him to succeed her as "the granter". The power-hungry warrior, Berwig, and his crafty sidekick, Senyous, have
other plans. (Great author--also read the Beyond the Western Sea series)
Banks, Lynne Reid The Return of the Indian
Omri brings his Indian back to life with the magic cupboard only to find that Little Bear has been wounded in the French and Indian Wars and desperately needs Omri's help. (sequels) fantasy,
adventure
Bauer, Marion Dane On My Honor
When his best friend drowns while they are swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the terrible
consequences of their disobedience.
Bridges, Ruby Through My Eyes
Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to attend a "white school" tells her own amazing story.
Brittain, Bill The Wish Giver
A "wishgiver says that for $.50 he will give people exactly what they wish for. Only three young believers take him up on this offer. (Award book)
Brooks, Bruce Woodsie
Woodsie joins a losing hockey team and helps turn it around. (series)
Bunting, Eve Blackwater
When two friends drown, thirteen-year-old Brodie struggles to deal with his own guilt.
Bunting, Eve Spying on Miss Muller
Jessie goes to Boarding school in Ireland during World War II. She and her friends begin to suspect that their favorite teacher, Miss Muller, may actually be a Nazi spy. They start a spy ring of
their own to find out the truth.
Byars, Betsy The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown
Bingo Brown has some important questions, like why is he a human magnet for trouble? And will he ever understand girls? (series)-funny, realistic
Byars, Betsy Death's Door
Herculeah and Meat barely escape a hired gunman's bullet. (series) mystery, suspenseful
Christopher, Matt The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
A mysterious man helps Sylvester become a homerun hitter, but Sylvester worries about how long it will last.
Cleary, Beverly Strider (sequel)
Leigh finds a hungry dog on the beach which he adopts and names Strider. (Sequel to Dear Mr. Henshaw) or go back and read about Ramona, Henry, and Ribsy.
Clements, Andrew Landry News
When Cara Landry starts a newspaper, she has no idea things will get out so out of hand. By the author of Frindle.
Cooper, Susan The Boggart
Emily and her computer-genius brother, Jessup, inherit a castle in Scotland. Without knowing it, they also inherit a mischievous Boggart. (series) computers, fantasy
Coville, Bruce The Monster's Ring
A timid boy, eager to frighten the school bully on Halloween night, acquires a magic ring and the power to change himself into a hideous monster.
Creech, Sharon Walk Two Moons
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle discovers a lot about life, love, and her mother's mysterious disappearance on a car trip from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. Award
book
Danziger, Paula & Martin, Ann P.S. Longer Letter Later
Elizabeth and Tara Starr are best friends. When Tara moves away, they write each other letters and share the ups and downs of life and friendship. The authors actually wrote the book by
writing letters back and forth. (Don't forget the Amber Brown books as well.)
DeFelice, Cynthia The Ghost of Fossil Glen
Allie, a sixth grader with a well-developed imagination, gets involved with a child's ghost in this suspenseful mystery. (Also read Weasel and The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker)
Fleischman, Sid The Whipping Boy
A bratty prince and his whipping boy inadvertently change places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws. Award book
Gantos, Jack Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got "dud meds," which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Also read Heads or
Tails about a boy's crazy sixth grade year. Fast-paced books.
George, Jean C. My Side of the Mountain
Sam Gribley runs off to live in the woods alone with nature. He makes some amazing animal friends and needs to be very resourceful. (sequel) survival, realistic Also read There's an Owl in the
Shower AND The Tarantula in My Purse.
Giff, Patricia R. Lily's Crossing
Everything changes for Lily in 1944 when her dad goes overseas in WW II. She makes a new friend who has escaped from Hungary but who needs to go back to France to rescue his sister.
historical, award book
Gutman, Dan The Million Dollar Shot
Eddie has a chance to earn one million dollars if he can sink one shot. No fair reading ahead on this one!
Haas, Jessie Unbroken
The only thing Harriet has left after her mother dies in an accident is a wild colt that her aunt will not let her keep unless she can train him before school starts.
Haddix, Margaret Running Out of Time
Jessie lives with her family in Clifton Village, Indiana in 1840, or so she believes. What she doesn't find out, until her life is in danger, is that it is really 1996 and her family is part of a very risky
and unusual science experiment. Also read Among the Hidden by the same author. .suspense
Hahn, Mary Downing The Dead Man in Indian Creek
A fast paced murder mystery begins with the discovery of a body by two boys and the suspicion that one of their mothers may be involved. (Also try Wait Till Helen Comes; a Ghost Story)
Hesse, Karen Letters From Rifka
Based on a true story, Rifka flees Russia with her family in 1919, but gets left behind when she develops a skin disease. historic, memorable (Great author! Also read Music of Dolphins, or Out of
the Dust)
Howe, James Bunnicula
Chester the Cat is certain that the new rabbit in the family is really a vampire bunny. He conspires with Harold the Dog to get rid of him. sequels, funny, fantasy
Hunter, Mollie The Mermaid Summer
Anna and her brother Jon get involved with a mysterious mermaid who puts them in great danger. fantasy
Kehret, Peg Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays
Eight true stories about amazing dogs adopted from animal shelters. A must for dog lovers.
Jacques, Brian Redwall
The mice must find the sword of Martin the Warrior in order to protect Redwall Abbey from Cluny, the terrible one-eyed rat. But the hiding place of the sword has been forgotten. (great series)
exciting, adventure, fantasy
Juster, Norton Phantom Tollbooth
Bored Milo discovers a large toy tollbooth in his room and drives his small electric car through the tollbooth's gates on a journey to the Kingdom of Wisdom with a watchdog named Tuck.
Classic
Kehret, Peg Shelter Dogs
Eight amazing and true stories about dogs rescued from animal shelters. For dog lovers
Kehret, Peg Small Steps
The author was diagnosed with Polio when she was twelve years old. She shares her story of that very difficult year when she was paralyzed and close to death. The author has a great sense of
humor.
Konigsburg, E.L. View From Saturday
This unusual sixth grade quiz bowl team makes it to the state finals. Expect to be confused for the first few chapters, then it all comes together! Award (Don't forget to read From the Mixed-Up
Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler)
Lasky, Kathryn Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles (The Royal Diaries series)
Marie begins her diary as she prepares for her future role as queen of France.
Levine, Gail C. Ella Enchanted
Ella has been cursed with the gift of obedience. Only true love can break the spell. Award book, fantasy
Lewis, C.S. "Chronicles of Narnia" (series)
Start with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and don't stop reading until you finish The Last Battle. Fantasy, adventure
Lowry, Lois Anastasia on her Own (series)
Anastasia loves lists and schedules, and attempts to put her family on one. humorous, realistic
Lowry, Lois Number the Stars
Annemarie and her best friend Ellen, who is Jewish, live in Copenhagen, Denmark during the Nazi occupation. Soldiers are rounding up all the Jews, but Annemarie and her family try to hide
Ellen. Award
MacLachlan, Patricia Sarah, Plain and Tall
In a near-perfect miniature novel, two children experience the apprehensions and joys of the possibility of a new mother, when their father invites a mail-order bride to their prairie home." (Also
read Baby )
McCloskey, Robert Homer Price
Ingenious Homer captures thieves, solves mysteries, and helps people in trouble. Don't miss reading about the day he gets left in charge of the doughnut machine!
McKissack, Patricia The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl (Dear America series)
Clotee, a house slave who must hide the fact that she can read and write, records in her diary her struggles with whether to escape to freedom.
Morgenstern, Susie Secret Letters From 0 - 10
Victoria changes Ernest from a sad, lonely boy to a happy young man when they become best friends.
Moore, Robin Maggie Among the Seneca
Continuing her journey, (started in Breadsister of Sinking Creek) Maggie is taken captive by a band of Seneca Indian warriors, and is forced to travel with them along the war trail.
Mowat, Farley Owls in the Family
Read about the adventures of Wol and Weeps, two pet great horned owls. You can imagine how startled the pastor is when he comes to call, and how charming it is when Wol attacks a skunk.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds Shiloh Season
In a follow-up to Shiloh, Marty worries that his dog's drunken old owner is hunting on his property and trying to get Shiloh back. (sequels)
Nixon, Jean Lowery David's Search (Orphan Train series)
David is adopted from the "orphan train" by a Texas family, and his best friend, an ex-slave is being threatened by the Ku Klux Klan.
North, Sterling Rascal
Based on a true story, a boy finds a mischievous, young raccoon and adopts him. The raccoon becomes a constant companion, even going to school with him. realistic, award book
O'Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Imagine what could happen if some rats used in scientific experiments to test intelligence became so smart that they could organize an escape and set up their own highly civilized community.
Award book
Park, Barbara Mick Harte Was Here
Phoebe recounts the days immediately following her brother's death in a bike accident. intense & funny
Paterson, Katherine Bridge to Terabithia
Jess copes with tragedy by going to a secret kingdom in the woods invented by he and his friend, Leslie. Award
Paulsen, Gary Hatchet
A plane accident leaves Brian stranded in the Canadian wilderness, and he must struggle to survive. (sequel) survival, Award book
Peck, Robert Soup
Rob and his friend, Soup, have some hilarious adventures. (series) funny, realistic
Perkins, Lynne Rae All Alone in the Universe
Debbie struggles when her best friend isn't her best friend anymore. Honest, humorous
Pullman, Phillip Count Karlstein
Zamiel, the demon huntsman, needs a payoff, and Count Karlstein has a wicked plan to sacrifice his two nieces to save his own life. supernatural, thriller
Pullman, Phillip I Was a Rat!
One of the rats from Cinderella's coach misses the curfew and gets stuck as a boy. In this ridiculous spin-off story, the rodent boy becomes a media sensation. funny
Roberts, Willo Davis The View From the Cherry Tree
A boy witnesses a murder next door, but everyone is too busy to believe him. mystery, suspenseful
Robinson, Barbara The Worst Best School Year Ever
The Herdmans are the rottenest kids anywhere. Imagine spending a whole year with a Herdman in your class? (sequel) funny, realistic,
Rowling, J.K. "Harry Potter" series
Reread all of the books this summer, including number four!
Sachar, Louis Holes
Stanley Yelnats (palindrome) gets sent to a Detention Center for delinquent boys and has to dig a hole in the hot sun every day under the watchful eyes of the warden. They will dig up more
surprises and secrets than you can imagine. Fantastic... funny, clever, fast-paced; Award book
Sciezka, Jon 2095 (Time Warp Trio series)
Fred, Sam, and Joe travel via "The Book" into the future where they encounter robots, anti-gravity disks, and their own grandchildren!
Seidler, Tor The Wainscott Weasel
Bagley the weasel falls hopelessly in love with someone he can never have, but risks everything to save her. adventure, fantasy
Simon, Seymour Einstein Anderson
Match your wits with the science genius to solve ten mysteries.
Smith, Robert K. Chocolate Fever
Henry loved chocolate more than anything. But now he's noticing that he's breaking out in brown spots.
Snyder, Zilpha Keatley The Egypt Game
The deserted shed behind an antique store becomes the setting for "The Egypt Game" and possibly a murder. sequel
Soto, Gary Off and Running
It's "girls vs. boys" in this battle for class president.
Spinelli, Jerry Crash
Crash is a star football player. He is also a bully, and torments Penn, a classmate who is everything Crash is not -- friendly, small, and a pacifist. When his Grandfather gets sick, Crash realizes
the value of friendship. fast paced (Also read Wringer)
Taylor, Mildred Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
Cassie learns a lot about what is most important in one horrible year when her family has to endure a lot of prejudice. This is an excellent series. (sequels) realistic
Taylor, Theodore The Cay
Phillip is thrown into the sea and blinded when a torpedo hits the freighter he and is mom are on to escape from the war. He ends up on a Caribbean island in the care of an islander named
Timothy. Great book!
Tillage, Leon Leon's Story
An autobiography which gives a powerful and honest account of what it was like to grow up as an African American in the south during the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit
Gandalf, the wizard, chooses Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, to go on a great adventure involving the dragon, Smaug, and a magic ring. Not to be missed! (series) fantasy, adventure
Van Draanen, Wendelin Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
Sammy Keyes gets into trouble when she involves herself in the investigation of a robbery at a seedy hotel across the street from where she is living with her grandmother.
Vande Velde, Vivian Smart Dog
Amy is off to a bad start in fifth grade, until she meets a brilliant dog escaped from a university lab who teaches her how to have friends and be herself.
White, E.B. The Trumpet of the Swan
Louis is a trumpeter swan who was born without a voice. The only way he can woo his love is by learning to play the trumpet. (Author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little ) memorable!
Williams, Laura Behind the Bedroom Wall
Thirteen-year-old Korinna must choose between her love for her parents and her loyalty to Hitler and the Nazi party when she discovers that her parents are hiding a Jewish family behind her
own bedroom wall. Holocaust
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