Recommended Reading List for Third/Fourth Grades
The following books are suggestions for independent reading. Some books will indicate a reading level on the cover, but always use your judgment when choosing a book.
If you find a series that you like, read more books by that author. Of course, reading together with a parent or sibling is always encouraged!
Happy reading!
Adler, David Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Gold Coins (series)
While using her amazing memory to find her missing science fair project Cam finds two gold coins. Mystery series. (Also read the "Houdini Club Magic" series)
Alexander, Lloyd "The Prydain Chronicles" (series)
If you want adventure and action this summer, you might want to get absorbed in this series. It starts with The Book of Three in which Taran, a pig-keeper, embarks on a quest to save Prydain
from evil .
Avi Poppy
After her boyfriend is carried away, Poppy (a mouse,) urges her family to move to the next field away from the wicked Mr. Ocax (an owl). A very exciting story unfolds.
Banks, Lynne Reid The Indian in the Cupboard
Omri gets a key, a cupboard, and a plastic Indian for his birthday. Magically, inside the cupboard, the miniature Indian comes alive and makes life very exciting and complicated for Omri. (Look
for 3 sequels and The Farthest Away Mountain)
Base, Graeme The Eleventh Hour
Bring a pencil, paper, and an observant eye to this mystery filled with hidden codes, mazes, and clues. See if you can figure out, before you read the "solution," who ate Horace's feast..
Blume, Judy Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Meet Peter, his friends, and his impossible little brother, Farley Drexel, better known as "Fudge." Disaster strikes when Peter's pet turtle disappears. Sequels: Fudge-A-Mania and Superfudge.
Brown, Marc Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club (series)
Arthur and his gang organize a protest when their favorite scary books are taken out of the library because some parents didn't approve of them.
Bulla, Clyde Robert The Sword in the Tree
A medieval adventure with knights, villains, and treachery. Young Shan must use his wits and the help of a mute old man to protect his father's kingdom from his evil uncle until his father
returns. Look for other adventures by this author.
Butterworth, Oliver The Enormous Egg
Nate's hen laid an enormous egg. You'll never guess what hatched!
Byars, Betsy Tarot Says Beware
Herculeah discovers a fortune teller's dead body. Her investigation gets her into grave danger. (good mystery series)
Christopher, Matt Skateboard Tough
Brett's skateboarding skills miraculously improve when he uses the skateboard he finds buried in his yard. Is the skateboard haunted? (Good sports author)
Clifford, Eth Help! I'm a Prisoner in the Library
Mary Rose and her sister get trapped in a library during a snowstorm and hear strange noises coming from upstairs.
Cleary, Beverly Ramona the Brave
Read or reread a book by this entertaining and award-winning author. She has written some great books for older children as well: Dear Mr. Henshaw and Strider.
Clement, Andrew Frindle
Nicholas Allen is always up to something, but he comes up with his best plan yet to drive his teacher insane... to invent a new word and get it in the dictionary. This book is great!
Dahl, Roald The BFG
What is a whizzpopper? How about a snozzcumber? This is another wickedly funny book by a favorite author. (or try The Witches)
Danziger, Paula Amber Brown Goes Fourth
Amber Brown finds out that there is life after your best friend moves away. All of the Amber Brown books are great.
dePaola, Tomie Here We All Are
This continues the author's childhood autobiography which he began in 26 Fairmount Avenue. A baby is on the way, and Tomie loses the part of Peter Rabbit in the school play because he talks
too much.
Duffey, Betsy Hey, New Kid (series)
It's Michael's first day in a new school and he decides the only way to survive is to be very cool.
Gardiner, John Stone Fox
To save his Grandfather, Willy is faced with having to win a dogsled race against Stone Fox, a giant Native American Indian who has never lost a race. Reread this great short book.
George, Jean Craighead The Tarantula in My Purse
Crows, raccoons, and tarantulas are only a few of the wild pets the author writes about. Lots of fun, and it's all true! Or read My Side of the Mountain.
Giff, Patricia Reilly Matthew Jackson Meets the Wall
Matthew thinks he'll become a tough guy when he moves into a new neighborhood. That is, until he loses his cat and meets a kid who's so big and tough he's called the "Wall." (and don't forget
about the "Polk Street" series.)
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!
Heide, Florence Parry Mystery of the Midnight Message
This book should win a suspense award. It's a real page turner, but don't read it too late at night. This author has written a lot of mysteries.
Hesse, Karen Just Juice
Juice is nine and has a hard time reading. But when her Dad receives an important letter Juice is more determined than ever to learn to read. This is a great author. Read more books by her.
Hinton, S.E. The Puppy Sister
Aleasha, a puppy, is sure that if she works hard enough she will become human.
Howe, James Bunnicula
Harold the dog, and Chester, a very paranoid cat, become suspicious when a strange bunny with fangs and red eyes joins the family. A laugh-out-loud mystery with sequels.
Hurwitz, Johanna Ozzie On His Own
Ozzie thinks he's in for a rotten summer, but a clubhouse, some new friends, and a furry mascot turn things around. Read anything by this author.
Kehret, Peg Shelter Dogs
Eight amazing and true stories about dogs rescued from animal shelters. For dog lovers
King-Smith, Dick The Merman
While on vacation, Zeta encounters a kindly old merman who teaches her many things. Another charming book by the author of A Mouse Called Wolf.
Kline, Suzy Herbie Jones and the Dark Attic
Herbie Jones has to move his bedroom to the attic and he is really scared... for good reason!
Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler
This clever mystery will appear on almost every reading list and you should get the hint and read it. Claudia runs away with her brother James (because he has the money,) and they hide out at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While they are there they solve a mystery. Award book.
Levy, Elizabeth Wolfman Sam
Sam is chosen to be the D.J. at his school, but notices that he is beginning to get hair in weird places.
Lewis, C.S. "The Chronicles of Narnia" series
Begin with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and enter the world of Narnia which is under the power of the cruel White Witch until four children and the mighty Aslan take her power
away.
Lindgren, Astrid Pippi Longstocking (series)
Life is never dull when in the company of the amazing Pippi Longstocking, her pet monkey and horse. Imagine living next door to a girl who lives without any grown-ups and who can pick up a
bed with one hand!
Lofting, Hugh The Adventures of Dr. Dolittle
Enter the world of the "Push-Me-Pull-You," and Dr. Dolittle's other talking animal friends. A good series for animal lovers.
Lowry, Lois Anastasia Again!
Read any book about Anastasia and her brother Sam. In this book, she is determined not to move. (Of course, she has to.) Making new friends is tough!
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!
McKay, Hilary The Amber Cat (series)
What starts out as a simple case of chicken pox turns into a very surprising and unusual tale.
McKissack, Patricia The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl (Dear America series)
In 1859, Clotee, a slave girl, must conceal that she can read and write. She struggles with the decision of whether or not to escape.
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.
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be is another funny book by the same author.
Nixon, Jean Lowery Lucy's Wish (Orphan Train series)
Lucy is an orphan and is hoping to find a new family by traveling on the orphan train. Adjusting to a new family is tough.
O'Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (sequel)
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.
Parish, Peggy Pirate Island Adventure (series)
Another mystery by the author of Key to the Treasure. In this book three children try to find the family's long-lost treasure.
Peck, Robert Newton Soup (series)
Rob and his best friend Soup get into some wild situations, like the time they "whipped" the apple right through the stained glass window. Based on the author's own life, you will definitely
need to laugh out loud. The good news is there are several sequels.
Rockwell, Thomas How to Eat Fried Worms
You will never look at a worm the same way again. Imagine that you need to eat 15 worms to win a bet. Don't read before a meal.
Rodowsky, Colby Not My Dog
Ellie wants a puppy, not her Aunt's old mutt.
Rowling, J.K. "Harry Potter" series
This series needs no introduction. Read the books alone or read them with an adult!
Roy, Ron The Deadly Dungeon (series)
Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose visit their favorite mystery writer and solve the mystery of why her castle is haunted.
Rylant, Cynthia "Cobble Street Cousins" series
Rosie, Lily, and Tess always have fun when they stay at their Aunt's house. Good beginning chapter books.
Sachar, Louis Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger (series)
When Wayside School finally reopens after getting rid of the cows (don't ask) the children face the strangest and worst substitute teachers ever.
Williams, Vera Scooter
Elana Rose loves her scooter more than anything, even after her accident. She also loves making word puzzles! She is a little crazy and so are her friends, but they add up to a great book.
Scieszka, Jon Tut Tut (series)
Joe, Sam, and Fred accidentally use "The Book," which keeps getting them in trouble, and end up in ancient Egypt, dodging crocodiles and outsmarting the evil high priest.
Smith, Herbert Chocolate Fever
Henry Green is insane over chocolate and comes down with a severe case of "chocolate fever." For lovers of chocolate, also look for old favorites: The Chocolate Touch (Patrick Catling,) or Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl.)
Sobol, Donald Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers (series)
Encyclopedia Brown uses his amazing knowledge to help his police chief father solve ten crimes.
Taylor, Mildred D. The Well
In this story about the Logan family, Hammer, David's fiercely proud older brother, beats up a nasty white teenager and has to face serious consequences. Mildred Taylor has written other books
based on her own family stories. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry won the Newbery Medal.
Warner, Gertrude Chandler Mystery Behind the Wall (Boxcar Children series)
After reading this book, you might find yourself tapping on the back of every closet wall to hear if it sounds hollow. What an unlikely place to find a valuable old coin collection!
White, Ellen Emerson Voyage on the Great Titanic (Dear America series)
Margaret is a companion to a wealthy woman aboard the Titanic. She keeps a diary on the voyage.
Wilder, Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie (series)
Living on the prairie was a lot of work, but also fun for Laura and her family. There were many dangers of course...Indians, sickness, and the worst possible thing, a prairie fire.
Winthrop, Elizabeth The Castle in the Attic
William receives an old toy castle and a silver knight which are steeped in magic. He enters into an adventure and quest which he may not be "big enough" to handle. If you liked Indian in the
Cupboard you will also enjoy this book. Sequel: Battle for the Castle.
Woodruff, Elvira The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother
Nelly uses a magic chemistry set to make her grandmother young again and then can't reverse the spell. Don't get any ideas!
FAMILY READ-ALOUDS
Grahame, Kenneth The Wind in the Willows
No literary characters are more memorable than Rat, Mole, Badger, and the inimitable Mr. Toad.
Jacques, Brian Redwall (series)
Begin reading about the adventures at Redwall Abbey. There are villains, heroes, fools, and good-hearted creatures. You will never believe the complex plot will all resolve.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (series)
Join Harry at Hogwarts School of Wizardry. This is a series for the whole family to enjoy.
Back to Shady Grove Library