Books for 5th Graders
The following titles are appropriate for those reading at a 5th Grade level. Click the titles to locate or reserve a book.
J Fiction Books
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Callum endeavors to fail the trials that would admit him to the Magisterium only to be drawn into its ranks against his will. (Magisterium series)
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (J-Award)
After her mother leaves home suddenly, Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother's route.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The ordinary routines of the Watsons, an African-American family living in Michigan, are drastically changed after they visit Grandma in Alabama during the summer of 1963.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Bud, a 10-year-old motherless boy, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father. (J-Award)
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
Omakayas, a Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. (Part of the Birchbark House series)
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Meggie learns that her father, can "read" fictional characters to life after one of those characters abducts them both. (Part of the Inkheart series)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (J-Award)
An orphaned boy is raised by ghosts and other beings of the graveyard.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
A dark, humorous retelling of some of our favorite fairytales.
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
When two boy discover that they were found on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, with no adults, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel. (Part of the Missing series)
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm
Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered a way to reverse aging, and consequently has turned into a teenager.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
A journey through a land where Milo learns the importance of words and numbers provide a cure for his boredom.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Minli buys a magical goldfish, then joins a dragon who cannot fly on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (J-Award)
During the German occupation of Denmark in 1943, Annemarie learns to be brave when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis.
The Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Sophie learns that the abilities that have always caused her to stand out actually identify her as an elf, and discovers that she has secrets buried in her memory for which some would kill. (The Keeper of the Lost Cities series)
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his winter holidays relaxing, but soon guests arrive with strange stories about the house that send Milo on an adventure.
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez
María reluctantly moves with her mother to Chicago and starts 7th grade with a bang--violating the dress code and starting a band.
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins (J-Award)
Teenagers in a small town in the 1960s experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities and search for the meaning of life.
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
When her mother is abducted by aliens, 11-year old Tip hops in the family car and heads south to find her. She meets an alien mechanic who agrees to help her and save the planet.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Ghost is recruited for an elite middle school track team. He must stay on track, literally and figuratively, to reach his full potential. (Track series)
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Having lost his mother and his hearing, Ben leaves his Minnesota home to seek the father he never knew, and meets Rose. Ben’s story is told in words; Rose’s in pictures.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow must find a surrogate family for herself after her parents are killed in a car accident.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (J-Award)
As her mother prepares to be a contestant on a game show, Miranda tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes that seem to defy the laws of time and space.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four children are selected for a mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. (Part of the Mysterious Benedict Society series)
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
In 1968, Delphine and her sisters travel to visit the mother they hardly know, only to find out she wants them to attend Black Panther summer camp.
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Annabelle must learn to stand up for what’s right in the face of a new bully who targets people she cares about.
J Graphic Novels
All Summer Long by Hope Larson
When her best friend goes to soccer camp over the summer, Bina finds an unlikely companion in his older sister, Charlie.
Cleopatra In Space by Mike Maihack
When a young Cleopatra finds a tablet that zaps her to the future, she learns of a prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy. (Cleopatra in Space series)
El Deafo by Cece Bell
The author recounts her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aid and determining her “superpower.”
Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson
Opposites Emmie and Katie meet when their lives intersect because an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands.
Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag
When a boy goes missing during a night of shapeshifting, thirteen-year-old Astor risks going against family tradition by using his magic to help locate him.
