Books for 4th Graders
The following titles are appropriate for those reading at a 4th Grade level. Click the titles to locate or reserve a book.
J Fiction Books
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out if the puppet can really predict the future. (Part of the Origami Yoda series)
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (J-Award)
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Just after twelve-year-old Emily moves to San Francisco, she teams up with new friend to follow clues in book they find, hoping to figure out its secrets before the men who attacked Emily's hero, publisher Garrison Griswold, solve the mystery or come after the friends. (Part of the Book Scavenger series)
Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem. (Part of the Fudge series)
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
A young girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where they find life to be much sweeter away from their abusive mother.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote island with no memory of where she is from and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead. (Part of The Sisters Grimm series)
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (J-Award)
In letters to his favorite author, 10-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents’ divorce, being the new boy in school and generally finding his own place in the world.
Frindle by Andrew Clements
When clever Nick Allen decides to turn his teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, he invents a new word and begins a chain of events that moves beyond his control.
Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Córdova
Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Valentina Salazar grew up as a monster protector until her father's loss, but when a video of a mythical egg appears, Valentina convinces her older brother and sister to help her find and save it--all while avoiding the monster hunters who want to destroy it.
The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
With love and determination befitting the "world's greatest family, " twelve-year-old Deza Malone, her older brother Jimmie, and their parents endure tough times in Gary, Indiana, and later Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Sophie concocts a plan to save the world from other man-gobbling cannybull giants.
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (J-Award)
Rescuing a squirrel after an accident involving a vacuum cleaner, Flora Belle Buckman is astonished when the squirrel, Ulysses, demonstrates astonishing powers of strength and flight after being revived.
Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi
Three siblings discover an old book with pictures of fantastic creatures in the spooky old house in which they live.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
A brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy, considered by many to have an intellectual disability, discovers a technological device that allows her to speak for the first time.
Roll With It by Lee Durfey-Lavoie
Maggie, who struggles with anxiety and OCD, gets through her first year of middle school by making friends, finding the best after-school clubs, and using her twenty-sided dice to help her make decisions.
Took by Mary Downing Hahn
A witch called Old Auntie is lurking near Dan's family's new home. He doesn't believe in her at first, but is forced to accept that she is real and takes action when his little sister, Erica, is 'took' to become Auntie's slave for the next 50 years.
Magic Misfits series by Neil Patrick Harris
Six young magicians and illusionists team up to save their small town from a crooked carnival owner and his goons.
Warriors series by Erin Hunter
For generations, four clans of wild cats have shared the forest. When their warrior code is threatened by mysterious deaths, a house cat named Rusty may turn out to be the bravest warrior of all.
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (J-Award)
A funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. Told from four intertwining points of view, two boys and two girls, the novel celebrates bravery, being different and finding your inner hero.
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
After celebrating their first 10 birthdays together, Amanda and Leo prepare to celebrate their 11tj birthday separately. But, peculiar things happen as their birthday begins to repeat itself.
Big Nate: In a Class By Himself by Lincoln Peirce
Supremely confident middle school student Nate Wright manages to make getting detention from every one of his teachers in the same day seem like an achievement. (Part of the Big Nate series)
Dork Diaries: Tales from the Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Russell
Nikki Maxwell writes in her diary of her struggle to be popular at her exclusive new private school. (Part of the Dork Diaries series)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (J-Award)
When a 12-year-old orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station meets a mysterious toy seller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and biggest secret are jeopardized.
Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland
A thrilling new series soars above the competition and redefines middle-grade fantasy fiction for a new generation!
Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
Danny Dragonbreath and his friend Wendell get an underwater tour from Danny's sea-serpent cousin, encountering giant squid and mako sharks. (Part of the Dragonbreath series)
Frazzled by Booki Vivat
Nervous about middle school, Abbie Wu searches for her own passion before discovering a knack for leadership when injustices in the cafeteria come to light.
J Graphic Novels
Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather. Before long, a sinister creature lures their mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots and talking animals. (Amulet series)
Just Roll With It by Lee Durfey-Lavoie
Maggie, who struggles with anxiety and OCD, gets through her first year of middle school by making friends, finding the best after-school clubs, and using her twenty-sided dice to help her make decisions.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
An adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart.
