book review 4th grade

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80 Best Chapter Books for 4th Graders (Age 9)

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Find the best chapter books and  middle grade books  for 4th graders. These books for 9-year-old boys and girls in 4th grade are book recommendations that I’ve personally read and reviewed using my background as an educator and parent . They’re in every genre and are about many different age-appropriate themes and topics that appeal to kids in this upper elementary grade. All of these books are excellent.

Who am I to recommend good books to young readers? I’m a former teacher and teacher trainer with a Master’s Degree in Education, a teaching license, a Bachelor’s in English, and a parent of two. I’m also a writer and avid reader. (As you probably can guess.) I read ALL the books and share the best of the best with you. Plus, I continually update this list with the most recently published books. (Last update, November 9, 2023.)

Funniest Books for 4th Grade Boys & Girls

• First Cat in Space  by Mac Barnett (graphic novel)
• The Diary of a Wimpy Kid  by Jeff Kinney
• The Last Kids on Earth  by Max Brallier
• The Terrible Two  by Mac Barnett and Jory John
• Fortunately, the Milk  by Neil Gaiman
• Pie in the Sky  by Remy Lai
• Big Nate Welcome to My World   by Lincoln Peirce (graphic novel)
• Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle  by Dana Simpson (graphic novel)
• Crabgrass Comic Adventures  by Tauhid Bondia (graphic novel)

Fourth graders are leaving chapter books and entering the world of younger  middle grade books . The difference between the two is that  chapter books are usually shorter, illustrated, and about less complex topics.  They will overlap in themes like friendship and family or animals and identity.

However, middle grade books are about twice as long, if not three times longer, and usually don’t have illustrations. (Although you  can  find good  illustrated middle grade books .) The topics will be more complex — about bullying and divorce and death.

SHOP THIS LIST

If you want the BEST BOOKS for 9-year-olds in 4th grade, I’d love to send you a free printable pdf!

You might also like these book lists for 9-year-olds:

• The best books in a series  for 4th graders
• Summer reading list for 4th graders
• Good nonfiction books for 4th graders
• Graphic novels for 4th graders

Most Heartwarming Books for 4th Graders

• The One and Only Ivan  by Katherine Applegate
• The Wild Robot  by Peter Brown
• Boy at the Back of the Class   by Onjali Q Raúf
• Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen  by Niki Lenz
• Cress Watercress  by Gregory Maguire
• Your Pal Fred  by Michael Rex  (graphic novel)
• Bob  by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
• Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures  by Kate DiCamillo

If you need harder books, go to my Best Books for 5th Graders .

If you need easier books, go to my Best Books for 3rd Graders .

Also read:  Gifts for 9 Year Old Girls and  Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys

Best Books for 4th Graders (9 Year Olds)

First Cat in Space  by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris  SCI-FI / GRAPHIC NOVEL Absurdly hysterical, this is a bizarrely perfect adventure in  space ! When rats eat a second of the moon, the world’s leaders send their secret weapon– a cat and a stowaway toenail-clipping robot.  The two adventurers meet the Queen of Moonopolis, who leads them beneath the moon’s surface through the mine tunnels, where they have more silly adventures until they GET CAPTURED. But don’t worry — somehow, they’ll escape. Right?

Amulet   by Kazu Kibuishi FANTASY / GRAPHIC NOVEL This popular graphic novel series is about two siblings trying to save their mom who was taken to an underground world of elves, demons, robots, and talking animals . Beautiful artwork with compelling characters and an adventurous plot make this a sure-fire hit with young readers.

Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Matthew Cordell REALISTIC Leeva’s horrible Matilda-like parents ask her sarcastically, What are people for? And Leeva, who isn’t allowed to go to school and does the chores, cooking, and other tasks to help her parents become rich and famous, decides to investigate the question. She discovers the library and books — but more than that, she discovers kind new friends, including the librarian and her grandson and two kids her age. She realizes that people help you not be lonely because they share life with you…and hugs are a nice bonus, too. I love the writing and the message of kindness and good things from books!

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney FUNNY One of the most popular book series ever, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid , shares the hilarious story of Greg, in his own words and drawings. Life in middle school is not easy. And Greg is here to prove it! One thing you’ll notice about these books is that kids will read them more than once, which is great if you have them all.

The One and Only Ivan  by Katherine Applegate REALISTIC Narrated by a gorilla named Ivan, this true story will immediately grab your heartstrings.  Ivan is kept in a cage in a run-down mall for 27 years without seeing another gorilla.  When his maltreated elephant friend dies there, she asks Ivan to help the new, younger elephant find a better life. With the help of the janitor’s daughter, he does just that.

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Colgate SCIENCE FICTION / PARANORMAL This hilarious book makes the   zombie apocalypse seem fun . Because that’s how Jack approaches life and zombie fights. He and his best friend, Quint, live in an upgraded, well-defended treehouse where they plan for rescuing his crush June (she doesn’t need rescuing being quite capable) and fighting zombies. Illustrations throughout make this even more appealing to read and imagine. Delightful. Who would have thought?! BOXED SET HERE.

Link + Hud Heroes by a Hair by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey REALISTIC Jarrett and Jerome are brothers with BIG imaginations. When they go on imaginary adventures, read those in a graphic novel format. They also use their creative powers to get rid of babysitters. Currently, they’re working on terrorizing their older babysitter, Ms. Joyce. But she’s smart–and isn’t fooled by the boys’ behavior. In fact, she saves their dad’s failing hair product business by turning it into a cleaning product. Kids will love the action, humor, and fun of this illustrated adventure book for 4th graders!

I Survived  by Lauren Tarshis HISTORICAL FICTION These are excellent, fast-paced adventure books for 4th graders set during significant historical events that are perfect for elementary-age kids just getting comfortable with chapter books. Kids will zip through these incredible adventures, learning history in the process. The I Survived books always are about a young person trying to survive a historically significant, life-changing event such as Pompeii, the Titanic, Pearl Harbor, or the Battle of Gettysburg.

Reading Journal for Kids

102 pages of fun!

Write reviews for books! Draw, imagine, and write more about the books you read. This is a wonderful journal to get kids excited about what they read!

Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke FANTASY / GRAPHIC NOVEL This beautifully drawn and narrated clever adventure is set in the world of…the basement. When Milo’s baby sister loses her special pink knit sock, he searches for it in the basement. The basement leads Milo to another basement, and then another basement, and to a whole labyrinth of basement worlds. He befriends a friendly skull named Chuckles, an eyeball creature named Weepie, and a ghost named Belle. Milo uses the sock’s yarn, help from his ghost friend, and his problem-solving skills to rescue his friends from the Gobbler and return home with the pink sock. This is a fantastical, magical journey of friendship, kindness, and secret worlds!

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All  written and illustrated by Chanel Miller REALISTIC /  ILLUSTRATED In this charming, illustrated story, Magnolia’s parents own a laundromat in New York City. A new girl named Iris from California suggests that Magnolia find the owners of the lost socks on the (slightly embarrassing) lost sock bulletin board so that’s how the girls spend their days. Magnolia uses her knowledge of their customers to seek out the owners. They learn the backstories and secrets of many people, as well as introduce Iris to the city of New York.  Magnolia experiences growing pains in her new friendship but also growth in other relationships in her beautiful, diverse, and kind community.

Land of Stories by Chris Colfer FANTASY Fairy tales become very real when Alex and Conner (a brother and sister) find themselves transported to the fairy tale world. To get home, they’ll need to find the ingredients for a Wishing Spell. Finding the items will be dangerous, mysterious, and life-changing. All the books in this series are compelling, magical adventures about characters you will ADORE . My kids and I couldn’t put these down.

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown REALISTIC (ish) Roz is a robot alone on an island with only animals. If she wants to survive, she must figure out how to live in the wild where the animals see her as a monster. That slowly changes when Roz adopts a gosling and makes a nest. It’s a meaningful story of family, love, and community that consistently garners love from teachers and students.

The Sasquatch Escape   by Suzanne Selfors FANTASY Ben doesn’t think his summer could be any more boring–until he rescues a baby dragon. He and his new friend, Pearl Petal, learn that the town has a secret veterinarian for… imaginary creatures. That’s when they accidentally let a Sasquatch escape. Whoops. Now the pair must lure the big guy back to the veterinarian. (Which is easier said than done.) This is one of the best book series for 4th graders — a delightful page-turner.

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test  by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong FANTASY Plum is thrilled with the opportunity to go to a Guardian school where she hopes she’ll turn into a Guardian to protect the natural world.  At the Academy, she struggles to focus; she worries that she’ll never get her animal bond like the other students. But she learns how to fight, talk to animals, and hopes she can prove herself. Readers will love the cool world-building, the captivating illustrations, and the engaging story!

Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Raúf REALISTIC / IMMIGRATION Alexa and her friends learn that the new kid, Ahmed, was in a real war and has been separated from his family. So when Alexa and her friends hear that England is going to shut the borders, they decide they must go to the Queen to help Ahmed be reunited with his family. They go to the palace in person, tangling with the guards, and getting in big trouble but it eventually leads to media attention and a happy solution. 

Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen by Niki Lenz REALISTIC A genuinely sweet story about a girl who goes from a bully to a trying-to-do-better model citizen that will make you laugh and warm your heart. When Bernice’s mom sends Bernice to live with her nun aunt, it’s a chance for this former bully to reform her mean-spirited ways. And Bernice does it — she makes a friend, becomes nicer, and finds an unexpected home with the nuns. One of my favorite books for 4th graders!

Trapped in a Video Game  by Dustin Brady, illustrated by Brady Jessee SCIENCE FICTION Gamers and non-gamers alike who love exciting and dangerous stories won’t want to miss this excellent series . Jesse’s friend gets an early release of a video game — and it sucks in both he and his friend while they’re playing. They’re literally trapped in the video game! Inside the game, they meet a missing classmate who is a grown-up man in the game. Because there’s no way out. Or is there?

Cress Watercress  by Gregory Maguire, illustrated by David Litchfield  ANIMAL FICTION After the death of her father, Cress and her family move from their cozy burrow into the Broken Arms oak tree ruled by a cranky Owl with a noisy neighbor squirrel family. There, Cress helps her mom collect moths to pay their rent, leaving her mom time to work and gather ingredients for her sickly brother’s tea. As Cress navigates her new environment, the natural world, and the stories around her, it helps her understand her inner world, especially how grief waxes and wanes like the moon’s cycles.  A beautiful story about family, community, and grief .  

The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Youssef and Catherine R. Daly, illustrated by Douglas Holgate Nadia unexpectedly discovers an ancient Egyptian teacher (Titi) trapped in her hippo amulet. He comes out onto a paper and TALKS! Tita helps Nadia with problems she faces at school like the new kid who is rude and prejudiced about her Egyptian culture and troubles with her friends who are working together on a school project. Totally wonderful, heartfelt, and relatable– don’t miss this new book for fourth graders.

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell HUMOR If you like funny books , you’ll LOVE these books for 4th graders, 9-year-olds! Plus, in this first book, you’ll learn valuable cow trivia. But, it’s mostly the hilarious adventure of two pranksters who start out as rivals but eventually work together to pull off the biggest prank of all time — a prank that will ensure they get April Fool’s Day off from school.

Your Pal Fred  by Michael Rex  SCI-FI  / GRAPHIC NOVEL Fred is a robot who brings kindness (and STICKERS!) to a dystopian world he makes better in this funny, warmhearted, and interesting story.  When Fred discovers that two warlords are capturing innocent people to fight as soldiers for them, Fred knows what he has to do–ask the two bad guys to try peace. He irritates and surprises everyone he meets with his cheerfulness and positive attitude, even when he’s caught and “tortured” with drumming, which, of course, he loves. His character oozes charm, you can’t help but love him–along with the other curious characters that he meets.

Operation Happy :  A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable Bond   written by Jenni L. Walsh HISTORICAL FICTION   WWII Jody’s marine dad moves their family to Hawaii in 1940. When the worst happens, and Pearl Harbor is bombed, Jody, her dog Happy, her sister, and her mom are evacuated to San Francisco. There, Jody’s mom stays in bed and is uncommunicative so it’s up to Jody and her sister to take care of themselves. But it’s too much, especially after Happy saves Jody from an attack.  The loving relationship with Happy fills this story with sweetness despite the hardships they face.  It’s a good historical fiction book that would appeal to lower grades and sensitive readers who don’t want to read about the violence of war.

Dungeoneer Adventures  by Ben Costa, illustrated by James Parks FANTASY /  ILLUSTRATED Coop is the only human at the Dungeoneer Academy. He feels alone and fears failure but it’s his lifelong dream to be an explorer. Luckily, his best friend Oggie (a bugbear) and two other new friends on his team stick together to survive the bullying Coop faces at school and the life-or-death jungle trial in which they experience trouble with their team, unexpected attacks, and a monster spider. The stakes are high–if they fail the trial, they’ll be kicked out of the school forever.  It’s a fun-to-read, illustrated, and fast-paced fantastical book for 4th graders!

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter REALISTIC A well-done middle-grade graphic novel about a child with allergies! Maggie is devastated that she’s allergic to the puppy she’s finally allowed to get. But, she befriends a new girl next door who becomes a fun, safe solace in her life…until that friend gets a puppy which Maggie interprets this her new friend not wanting to be friends anymore. Eventually, the two friends work out a solution for hanging out that won’t be a problem for Maggie’s allergies. The story ends with Maggie helping with her new baby sister and feeling like she doesn’t need an animal pet anymore.

Mythics: Marina and the Kraken written by Lauren Magaziner, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega FANTASY What an exciting start to what is sure to be a smash-hit series of adventure, girl power, and mythical creatures ! When Marina doesn’t get matched with a familiar like the other kids, she and four other 10-year-old girls discover their familiars aren’t everyday animals but mythical creatures and together, they’re destined to save Terrafamiliar. The girls start their search by boat to look for Marian’s familiar. But they’re chased by a golden jumpsuit lady who wants to steal their mythical powers. As they evade their pursuer, Marina discovers that her familiar is a kraken– a kraken who accidentally capsizes their ship. Now, she and her kraken must save her friends from drowning and escape the sinister lady.

Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray by Jess Keating ADVENTURE — STEM Inventor Nikki Tesla joins a new school called the Genius Academy where she’s not the only genius and she’s supposed to start working well with others. (That will be hard!) When Nikki’s death ray is stolen from a locked safe, she and her classmates must collaborate to find it and hopefully, save the world. They follow clues around the world, thwart plots to divide their group and capture the bad guy before he can use the death ray. Not only does this engrossing story feature smart kids who love STEM but the action and themes of friendship and growing up resonated and entertained me.

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell HISTORICAL FICTION Indian No More is an emotional, important story about when the U.S. government arbitrarily made certain Native American tribes no longer tribes without reservations or legal rights. It also shows the historical landscape of prejudice and stereotypes towards people of color. I love the close-knit, loving family based on the author’s own life, a family who values each other and their survival. This book is a must-read and must-own for all schools and libraries and would make an excellent book club selection.

Kristy’s Great Idea Babysitter’s Club  Full-Color Graphix Novel by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Raina Telgemeier REALISTIC We’re loving these updated Babysitter’s Club graphic novels by the uber-talented Raina Telegemeier. It’s a good idea to start with book 1 since the stories are told in sequential order. These are funny and fun to read, maybe even more than once. BOX SET HERE.

Sparks  by Ian Boothby, illustrated by Nina Matsumoto SUPERHERO After escaping the evil laboratory, cats August and Charlie help others in a “Super Dog” dog disguise.  But their evil scientist nemesis, a diaper-wearing baby named Princess, will stop at nothing to recapture the escaped cats…and conquer the entire world. These books for 4th graders are filled with adventure, friendship, and humor!

Once Upon a Tim  by Stuart Gibbs FANTASY Hilarious, illustrated, and perfect for fantasy and adventure fans!  Tim and his sister Belinda are peasants who hope to improve their lot in life, so they sign up as knights for a not-very-brave prince and his so-called magician sidekick to find and rescue Princess Grace from a monster. Helpful foreshadowing, a strong narrative voice, and humor throughout plus helpful life lessons from Belinda about the patriarchy and great vocabulary words (which are helpfully indicated so your parents will know the IQ benefits).

Chupacarter  by George Lopez and Ryan Calejo  FANTASY Fast-paced, exciting, well-written, and dynamically illustrated about friendship and monsters!  Jorge gets sent to New Mexico to live with his abuelos, but he is miserable. Bullied at his school by other kids and a mean big-game-hunting principal, Jorge unexpectedly makes a friend outside of school –with a  chupacabra  named Carter.But Carter ISN’T a monster and they have a lot in common like candy and climbing trees and playing hide-and-seek. Even still, Carter needs to reunite with his family especially because Jorge’s school principal is hunting him. Jorge and his two school friends come up with an ingenious plan to get Carter to safety–but will they be too late? 

Bad Kitty Supercat  by Nick Bruel  HUMOR  / GRAPHIC NOVEL Bad Kitty’s owner tells Bad Kitty to get off screens and play with some other cats.  But Bad Kitty isn’t happy about having playdates. Eventually, Playdate Candidate #4 (Strange Kitty) brings imagination and comic books and Strange Kitty helps Bad Kitty find his  superhero  persona –just in time to meet the supervillain! Playful, imaginative, and hilarious–this is my new favorite Bad Kitty book and his first graphic novel.

Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere  by Elise Gravel HUMOR   If you LOVE kooky books, this book fits the bill.   Olga finds a most unusual, unknown creature whom she names “MEH” after the sound it makes.  She uses her deductive reasoning to figure out what it is (something new!) and what it likes to eat (olives)! But what will she do when Meh disappears? Things I love about this book: 1) the illustrations — they rock! 2) the narrator’s voice — it’s believable and funny 3) the plot — especially the mean girls who aren’t so mean after all.

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young HUMOR   If you like quirky humor, then this is your perfect book. Because you will never believe, except you totally will, what happens when the kids’ father goes out to get more milk. He doesn’t even get the milk but he does run into pirates, aliens, and all sorts of incredible things! Totally hilarious and quite short–which is appealing to many readers.

Pie in the Sky  by Remy Lai REALISTIC /  IMMIGRATION Pie in the Sky is an insightful, funny, and poignant look at the struggles of immigrating to a new country (Australia) and the difficulties of learning English, along with growing up and grieving the loss of a father. He misses baking with his papa so after school with his brother,  he breaks his mom’s rules against using the kitchen and bakes the cakes  that his father wanted to include in his dream Pie in the Sky bakery.  Like Jingwen says about his new beginnings and sad losses, this is a story that is both salty and sweet.

Bob  by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead MAGICAL REALISM In the sweetest story of friendship,   10-year-old Livy meets Bob, a green zombie-looking monster wearing a chicken costume  living in the closet at her grandma’s house. He’s been waiting for her to return for the last 5 years. Only Livy can’t remember him at all. Even when she leaves the house for an errand, she forgets. But she’s determined to help Bob find his way back home. Wherever that may be. We love this story!! This is a great  family   read-aloud  choice!

It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit  by Justin A. Reynolds ADVENTURE When he’s forced to stay home from the beach party because he needs to do his laundry since every single stinky piece of clothing, is dirty, Eddie hurries through the washing with quick cycles–until the power unexpectedly goes out.  Eddie leaves the house to investigate and finds four other kids but NO ONE ELSE. No parents. No kids. NO ONE.  It’s all very mysterious and suspenseful, especially when the street lights turn back on — without the electricity coming back on. What is going on? Cliff hanger alert!

Crabgrass Comic Adventures  by Tauhid Bondia  FUNNY   /  GRAPHIC NOVEL You will LOVE the  friendship adventures of Kevin and Miles.  These stories are fun, hilarious, relatable, and entertaining. If you like Calvin and Hobbes, you’ll love this good book for 4th graders.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan HISTORICAL FICTION Forced to flee a dangerous situation in Mexico, Esperanza and her mother arrive in California and start working as migrant farm workers. The back-breaking work is only part of their new, challenging life. In this beautifully written, soulful novel, Esperanza learns to thrive no matter what her circumstances.

Legendarios :  Wrath of the Rain God  written by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Vanessa Morales FANTASY  /  MYTHOLOGY Although the publisher is suggesting this is a chapter book, the reading level feels more middle grade to me so I’d say it’s short middle grade. Twins Emma and Martin travel back to ancient Mexico during Aztec times where they meet an indigenous girl whose village is flooding due to torrential rain.  To save the village, they must stop the angry rain god, Tlloc.  But he won’t stop until the twins return his stolen lightning bolt.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan FANTASY This series is amazing! Greek gods still exist and so do their kids, demigods, who have incredible abilities. Unfortunately for these kids, monsters are out to kill them. But, they are also the only ones who can save the world from a war between the Greek gods the Titans. Percy goes to Camp Half-Blood where he gets trained to protect himself… that is until he’s sent on a dangerous quest. Betrayal, adventure, plot twists, and incredible mythological world-building make these stories that kids can’t put down.

Dragon Slippers  trilogy by Jessica Day George FANTASY We can’t recommend this book series enough! Young and brave Creel wants nothing more than to own her own seamstress shop. In her pursuit of this dream, she befriends a special dragon who, along with magical dragon slippers, changes her life.

Who Would Win? Whale vs. Giant Squid by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Rob Bolster NONFICTION Kids can’t get enough of the Who Would Win? books that pit two ocean carnivores against each other. In this book, read facts about each creature then compare with a face-off. See if you can you predict who will win! See all the addicting informational books in the Who Would Win series .

Big Nate Welcome to My World   by Lincoln Peirce GRAPHIC NOVELS / FUNNY BOOKS I think the Big Nate comics are even better than the novels — they are just so stinking funny! Lincoln Peirce “gets” kids and their struggles — the episodes will keep both you and your kids cracking up.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Simpson FUNNY / GRAPHIC NOVELS Sarcastic and hilarious, this is a laugh-out-loud story about a precocious young girl and her reluctant unicorn “best friend”. BOXED SET

Dying to Meet You 43 Cemetary Road by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise HUMOR The 43 Old Cemetery Road books are funny and punny adventures with a kid, a cat, a grumpy ghost, and a really cool writing style in letters, emails, newspaper clippings, jokes, and more. These books are addictive!

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures  by  Kate DiCamillo MAGICAL REALISM Quirky and delightful, this is the  tale of a girl named Flora who rescues a squirrel and keeps it as a friend . Together, they experience the world in a unique, funny, and wonderful way and straighten it out, too — especially Flora’s mother.

Restart  by Gordon Korman REALISTIC Chase has no memory of who he is or was.  But he starts to get clues when straight out of the hospital when a strange girl dumps ice cream on his head. Chase soon realizes that he doesn’t like his former self. Now he’ll have to decide what kind of person he wants to be. Because he’s enjoying his new life in the film club and the new (“nerdy”) friends he’s made. This thought-provoking book for 4th grade will challenge kids to consider their choices, behavior, and life goals.

Killer Species   by Michael P. Spradlin ADVENTURE (SCI-FI) Get ready for a fast-paced adventure series about a mad scientist who creates a hybrid crocodile-dinosaur-bird killer creature to stop visitors from entering the Everglades. Emmet and his father arrive to investigate but when his father is kidnapped, Emmet and his friend, Calvin, know it’s up to them to find where the kidnapper is holding Emmet’s father. GREAT for reluctant readers — and anyone who loves an action-packed sci-fi mystery!

Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel written by Nikki Grimes, art by Theodore Taylor III REALISTIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL Garvey’s dad wants him to play sports instead of reading. Making life even worse, everyone seems to make fun of Garvey’s size, calling him names like chunky and little piggy. Then, a new foodie friend helps Garvey enjoy food and not feel guilty about eating. That same friend also encourages Garvey to join the chorus, which he does secretly and loves it. Singing makes Garvey feel more like himself. This sweet coming-of-age story is written in tanka poetry, so it reads like a graphic novel in verse with some dialogue. It’s fast, mesmerizing, and emotion-filled.

Harry Potter series  by J.K. Rowling FANTASY The best-selling children’s book of all time, this is a MUST READ for many reasons: the brilliant storytelling, a complex and entertaining plot, relatable characters, rich language, essential life lessons about friendship and bravery , and more. ( See all my reasons for reading Harry Potter. )

The Great Shelby Holmes   by Elizabeth Eulberg MYSTERY What a lovely surprise! This  Sherlock Holmes  inspired book for 4th graders is well-written with a great plot. John Watson moves with his mom who has recently left both the military and John’s dad to Harlem. There he meets a very unique girl named Shelby Holmes who reluctantly allows him to tag along with her as she solves her latest crime —  the mystery of a missing show-dog stolen from a classmate’s secure house.

Area 51 Files  by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu SCIENCE FICTION Sky moves to Area 51, a sanctuary for aliens, where her new guardian, her uncle. She’s sad that she can’t ever leave Area 51 or see her beloved grandma again but she makes friend with an alien boy at school. When a group of aliens is abducted, all clues point to Sky’s uncle. She and her friends try to solve who the culprit really is.  It’s a funny mystery, adventure, and friendship story with aliens and illustrations!

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs MYSTERY / FUNNY BOOK (series) Was the FunJungle’s hippo murdered? Teddy and Summer think so. Mystery, adventure, and humor will keep your readers on the edge of their seats in this unique story with lovable, quirky characters. This was one of my daughter’s favorite books for 4th graders.

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks REALISTIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL Norrie loves horses and the low-key stables where she works and rides. She welcomes the new girl, Victoria, who rejects her offer of friendship because Victoria has decided that no friends means no drama. But another friend at the stables connects to Victoria about their friend group with a favorite science fiction show. They find common ground, forgiveness, and mutual support. It’s a beautifully knit-together, relatable story of friendship, horses, being yourself, and growing in confidence.

The Familiars  series by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson FANTASY My kids and I are big fans of this fantasy series. Do you know about familiars? They are the magical animal companions to wizards. And, in this first story, the kids and their familiars must save the world when the wizards’ powers are taken away.  Great books for 4th graders who love animals and magical adventures.

Two-Headed Chicken  by Tom Angleberger  FUNNY Hilarious!!  If you like wacky, bizarre humor then this is your next favorite read.  This is a story about the multiverse in which you are a two-headed chicken being chased by a moose…and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Follow the two-headed chicken through the multiverse, take funny quizzes, meet a fish with deep feelings as well as a lawyer, and learn about so much more! 

Rez Dogs  by Joseph Bruchac  REALISTIC /  VERSE Because of the pandemic, Malin is sent away to live with her grandparents on the Wabanaki reservation.  A rez dog named Malsum adopts her, becoming her ally and friend, which helps her adjust to living without her parents.  Her grandparents teach Malin about the history of Native kids taken away by the government. Her grandparents share many other stories of their beliefs and history which help Malin connect to her heritage. 

Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab  by Science Bob Pflugfleder and Steve Hockensmith SCI-FI /  MYSTERY BOOK Siblings Nick and Tesla are shipped off to live with their mad-scientist Uncle Newt for the summer while their parents are . . . doing something with soybeans in Uzbekistan? When left to fend for themselves, the siblings discover something very suspicious at the old mansion down the street. Throughout the story, these STEM wizards invent gadgets and gizmos and give you directions to do the same.  This adventurous STEM series makes science and technology fun!

Voyage of the Frostheart  by Jamie Littler BEST FANTASY BOOKS A   fantastic, illustrated adventure book for 4th grade about an orphan boy with forbidden musical powers.  4th-grade readers meet sentient creatures like the vulpi, a walrus and a yeti, not just human-kin, who live in Strongholds to stay safe from the monstrous Lurkers and Leviathans. After Ash’s Pathfinder parents disappear, Ash moves in with a strict guardian Yeti named Tobu. Unfortunately, they’re banished from their home when Ash uses his forbidden Song Weaver magic. They leave the village with a Pathfinder crew and Ash realizes that he can find his parents using the words in his childhood lullaby. 

The Pear Affair  by Judith Eagle, illustrated by Jo Rioux MYSTERY Nell can’t wait to tag along with her horrid and neglectful parents to Paris so she can search for her beloved former nanny Pear, who she’s convinced is missing since Pear hasn’t written in months. While in Paris, Nell learns about the strange moldy bread problem plaguing the city’s bakeries. She meets new friends who guide her around the underground tunnels of Paris. They help her find Nell and uncover the truth about her parents and their connection to the moldy bread.  A page-turning mystery with a perfect ending!

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One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate ANIMAL STORY Ruby is dreading Tuskday because she associates tusks with pain. She tells her uncles (Bob and Ivan) about her life before, her life in Africa when she was happy and loved until hunters slaughtered her herd. After that, Ruby was rescued, then captured again by greedy black-market animal traders, and sent to the zoo in the mall. Also, Ruby misses her beloved auntie Stella. Ruby’s new aunties help her to honor Stella, and it helps Ruby realizes that Stella was with her all along…and that she IS ready for the Tuskday growing up ceremony.

Minerva Keen’s Detective Club by James Patterson and Keir Graff MYSTERY Has there ever been an exciting kid-appropriate murder mystery? Not often, that’s for sure! In this murder mystery story, amateur detective Minerva finds one person after another who has been poisoned! She is intent on helping the police detective solve the case, so she, her brother Heck, and her new school friend Santos investigate every possibility. It’s fast-paced, interesting, and engaging.

The Remarkable Rescue of Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos ANIMAL ADVENTURE Butternut grows up in a close-knit rabbit family with lessons, rules, and storytelling. Although, when he ignores his family’s rules, everything changes for the better. Breaking the rules, Butternut befriends a talkative, kind-hearted robin and a wounded fawn. When they discover coyote cubs without their mother, Butternut must decide how far his kindness toward others will extend — will it include predators? Metafiction elements about stories, plotting, and narrative twists add extra playful fun to this story as well. This is a sweet story of kindness, friendship, and community.

Book Lists By Age

Easy Reader Books for 5- and 6- year olds  Beginning / Easy Chapter Books for 6- and 7- Year Olds Books for 8-year olds Books for 9-year olds Books for 10-year olds Books for 11-year olds Books for 12-year olds YA Books

Read Aloud Books by Grade Level

Read Aloud Books for 1st Grade

Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade

Read Aloud Books for 3rd Grade

Read Aloud Books for 4th Grade

Read Aloud Books for 5th Grade

Read Aloud Books for 6th Grade

Book Lists By Genre

Adventure Books for Kids Fantasy Books for Kids Funny Books for Kids Historical Fiction Books for Kids Mystery Books for Kids Nonfiction Books for Kids Realistic Books for Kids Science Fiction Books for Kids ALL Picture Book Reviews

Book List By Topic

See all children’s books (picture books, nonfiction, and chapter books) organized by topic .

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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16 Comments

Thank you for this list! My 4th grader has loved every single book so far you have recommend! We are halfway through the list.

That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks, Paige!

How does someone order one of these?

Click on the book title and it will take you to Amazon where you can order.

Hi Melissa,

My son is 9 years old. We read a lot of these books already. I am wondering if you could help me identify some books or authors that handle the following things well.

What books do you recommend for kids only living with one parent? There are a lot of books about missing Dad, but I can’t seem to find books about Mom’s that left. When there are, the Mom is dead. I know social-cognitive therapy is best, but if he could read about another kid, a story, I feel like my son would feel just a bit more normal.

What are some books that focus on empathy and non-violent solutions? There are a lot of books that practice the hero’s journey, but there is always violence. It would be great if we could have something more complex. What if instead of the hero fighting his/her way to a solution, he/she built a solution with their friends and foes. There are a lot of great examples in younger kids books, but I am just not seeing them for my son’s age range – especially for boys! Everything seems to be fight, fight, fight!

Are there healthy masculinity books for boys? I am not an expert, but there seems to be a particular dearth of literature for developing boys in how to treat women. Sure, we have books on how to be a gentleman, but even those books create love stories where the female character is so overwhelmed by the male character’s kindness he still wins the girl. There are a lot of “nice guys” out there in this world. They didn’t just start doing this. They learned it from somewhere, TV or books and I find both to set weak moral compasses on this. At least the popular ones.

Are there books that handle race and social justice well? Ok, maybe you’re not the best person to answer this. I don’t know. However, I know my white son is growing up in a more racial and gender diverse world. It’s happening and it is a reality. I want my son to feel way more comfortable than me in addressing race and social justice and know that he too has a role to play.

I really want my son to learn to respect people who are not like him. To ask way more questions than to assume answers and to work with other people to build solutions. However, I’m finding a lot of the literature, from a Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Percy Jackson to just be far short of helpful.

Thanks in advance, A single parent just trying to find the right books.

I’m going to send you an email– if you don’t get it, let me know!

Melissa @imaginationsoup.net

Hey Jeremy,

In my humble opinion, the Wings of Fire series is pretty incredible. The characters are dragons, raised away from their families. They slowly return to each tribe to find their respective families and discover every tribe is drastically different as are the family constructs within them. It deals with racism, how to try to handle difficult situations with your mind and compassion before brute force or physical fights- though some physical interaction does occur. Bad people do bad things, but the main characters make a point of clarifying which decisions were well thought out and which were hasty or cruel. The themes covered in this series really blow my mind and the thoughtful, compassionate ways that issues are worked out by the heros and heroins is fabulous too. Later in the series, the author even takes on ideas of slavery, genocide, varying sexual identities, refugees & immigrants, caring for one’s environment, etc… The main characters shift every few books to give perspective from another tribe of dragons, or time in dragon history, or place in the world of dragons. At some point the new main characters come in contact with the previous heros and heroins and they all work together for a safe/kind/loving/just resolution to whatever huge issue they are trying to concur in the world. It may be a book for young adults, but I can’t wait for the book next in the series! I know this is just one series, but hopefully it leads you to more!

How to Write a Book Review: The Ultimate Guide

WHAT IS A BOOK REVIEW?

Traditionally, book reviews are evaluations of a recently published book in any genre. Usually, around the 500 to 700-word mark, they briefly describe a text’s main elements while appraising the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Published book reviews can appear in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They provide the reader with an overview of the book itself and indicate whether or not the reviewer would recommend the book to the reader.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK REVIEW?

There was a time when book reviews were a regular appearance in every quality newspaper and many periodicals. They were essential elements in whether or not a book would sell well. A review from a heavyweight critic could often be the deciding factor in whether a book became a bestseller or a damp squib. In the last few decades, however, the book review’s influence has waned considerably, with many potential book buyers preferring to consult customer reviews on Amazon, or sites like Goodreads, before buying. As a result, book review’s appearance in newspapers, journals, and digital media has become less frequent.

WHY BOTHER TEACHING STUDENTS TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS AT ALL?

Even in the heyday of the book review’s influence, few students who learned the craft of writing a book review became literary critics! The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to:

●     Engage critically with a text

●     Critically evaluate a text

●     Respond personally to a range of different writing genres

●     Improve their own reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Not to Be Confused with a Book Report!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOOK REVIEW AND A BOOK REPORT?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are clear differences in both the purpose and the format of the two genres. Generally speaking, book reports aim to give a more detailed outline of what occurs in a book. A book report on a work of fiction will tend to give a comprehensive account of the characters, major plot lines, and themes in the book. Book reports are usually written around the K-12 age range, while book reviews tend not to be undertaken by those at the younger end of this age range due to the need for the higher-level critical skills required in writing them. At their highest expression, book reviews are written at the college level and by professional critics.

Learn how to write a book review step by step with our complete guide for students and teachers by familiarizing yourself with the structure and features.

BOOK REVIEW STRUCTURE

ANALYZE Evaluate the book with a critical mind.

THOROUGHNESS The whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. Review the book as a WHOLE.

COMPARE Where appropriate compare to similar texts and genres.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? You are going to have to inevitably recommend or reject this book to potential readers.

BE CONSISTENT Take a stance and stick with it throughout your review.

FEATURES OF A BOOK REVIEW

PAST TENSE You are writing about a book you have already read.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE Whatever your stance or opinion be passionate about it. Your audience will thank you for it.

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

⭐ Make  MOVIES A MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR CURRICULUM  with this engaging collection of tasks and tools your students will love. ⭐ All the hard work is done for you with  NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

This collection of  21 INDEPENDENT TASKS  and  GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS  takes students beyond the hype, special effects and trailers to look at visual literacy from several perspectives offering DEEP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES by watching a  SERIES, DOCUMENTARY, FILM, and even  VIDEO GAMES.

ELEMENTS OF A BOOK REVIEW

As with any of the writing genres we teach our students, a book review can be helpfully explained in terms of criteria. While there is much to the ‘art’ of writing, there is also, thankfully, a lot of the nuts and bolts that can be listed too. Have students consider the following elements before writing:

●     Title: Often, the title of the book review will correspond to the title of the text itself, but there may also be some examination of the title’s relevance. How does it fit into the purpose of the work as a whole? Does it convey a message or reveal larger themes explored within the work?

●     Author: Within the book review, there may be some discussion of who the author is and what they have written before, especially if it relates to the current work being reviewed. There may be some mention of the author’s style and what they are best known for. If the author has received any awards or prizes, this may also be mentioned within the body of the review.

●     Genre: A book review will identify the genre that the book belongs to, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, romance, science-fiction, history etc. The genre will likely tie in, too with who the intended audience for the book is and what the overall purpose of the work is.

●     Book Jacket / Cover: Often, a book’s cover will contain artwork that is worthy of comment. It may contain interesting details related to the text that contribute to, or detract from, the work as a whole.

●     Structure: The book’s structure will often be heavily informed by its genre. Have students examine how the book is organized before writing their review. Does it contain a preface from a guest editor, for example? Is it written in sections or chapters? Does it have a table of contents, index, glossary etc.? While all these details may not make it into the review itself, looking at how the book is structured may reveal some interesting aspects.

●     Publisher and Price: A book review will usually contain details of who publishes the book and its cost. A review will often provide details of where the book is available too.

BOOK REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS

As students read and engage with the work they will review, they will develop a sense of the shape their review will take. This will begin with the summary. Encourage students to take notes during the reading of the work that will help them in writing the summary that will form an essential part of their review. Aspects of the book they may wish to take notes on in a work of fiction may include:

●     Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? Are they convincingly drawn? Or are they empathetic characters?

●     Themes: What are the main themes of the work? Are there recurring motifs in the work? Is the exploration of the themes deep or surface only?

●     Style: What are the key aspects of the writer’s style? How does it fit into the wider literary world?

●     Plot: What is the story’s main catalyst? What happens in the rising action? What are the story’s subplots? 

A book review will generally begin with a short summary of the work itself. However, it is important not to give too much away, remind students – no spoilers, please! For nonfiction works, this may be a summary of the main arguments of the work, again, without giving too much detail away. In a work of fiction, a book review will often summarise up to the rising action of the piece without going beyond to reveal too much!

The summary should also provide some orientation for the reader. Given the nature of the purpose of a review, it is important that students’ consider their intended audience in the writing of their review. Readers will most likely not have read the book in question and will require some orientation. This is often achieved through introductions to the main characters, themes, primary arguments etc. This will help the reader to gauge whether or not the book is of interest to them.

Once your student has summarized the work, it is time to ‘review’ in earnest. At this point, the student should begin to detail their own opinion of the book. To do this well they should:

i. Make It Personal

Often when teaching essay writing we will talk to our students about the importance of climbing up and down the ladder of abstraction. Just as it is helpful to explore large, more abstract concepts in an essay by bringing it down to Earth, in a book review, it is important that students can relate the characters, themes, ideas etc to their own lives.

Book reviews are meant to be subjective. They are opinion pieces, and opinions grow out of our experiences of life. Encourage students to link the work they are writing about to their own personal life within the body of the review. By making this personal connection to the work, students contextualize their opinions for the readers and help them to understand whether the book will be of interest to them or not in the process.

ii. Make It Universal

Just as it is important to climb down the ladder of abstraction to show how the work relates to individual life, it is important to climb upwards on the ladder too. Students should endeavor to show how the ideas explored in the book relate to the wider world. The may be in the form of the universality of the underlying themes in a work of fiction or, for example, the international implications for arguments expressed in a work of nonfiction.

iii. Support Opinions with Evidence

A book review is a subjective piece of writing by its very nature. However, just because it is subjective does not mean that opinions do not need to be justified. Make sure students understand how to back up their opinions with various forms of evidence, for example, quotations, statistics, and the use of primary and secondary sources.

EDIT AND REVISE YOUR BOOK REVIEW

As with any writing genre, encourage students to polish things up with review and revision at the end. Encourage them to proofread and check for accurate spelling throughout, with particular attention to the author’s name, character names, publisher etc. 

It is good practice too for students to double-check their use of evidence. Are statements supported? Are the statistics used correctly? Are the quotations from the text accurate? Mistakes such as these uncorrected can do great damage to the value of a book review as they can undermine the reader’s confidence in the writer’s judgement.

The discipline of writing book reviews offers students opportunities to develop their writing skills and exercise their critical faculties. Book reviews can be valuable standalone activities or serve as a part of a series of activities engaging with a central text. They can also serve as an effective springboard into later discussion work based on the ideas and issues explored in a particular book. Though the book review does not hold the sway it once did in the mind’s of the reading public, it still serves as an effective teaching tool in our classrooms today.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BOOK REVIEW GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TEMPLATE)

101 DIGITAL & PRINT GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ALL CURRICULUM AREAS

Introduce your students to 21st-century learning with this GROWING BUNDLE OF 101 EDITABLE & PRINTABLE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. ✌ NO PREP REQUIRED!!! ✌ Go paperless, and let your students express their knowledge and creativity through the power of technology and collaboration inside and outside the classroom with ease.

Whilst you don’t have to have a 1:1 or BYOD classroom to benefit from this bundle, it has been purpose-built to deliver through platforms such as ✔ GOOGLE CLASSROOM, ✔ OFFICE 365, ✔ or any CLOUD-BASED LEARNING PLATFORM.

Book and Movie review writing examples (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of book reviews.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the movie or book review in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of writing a text review

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of book review writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type .

BOOK REVIEW VIDEO TUTORIALS

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BOOK REVIEWS

Transactional Writing

How to write a text response

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

How to Write Excellent Expository Essays

25 Must-Read Books for 4th Graders

M. Lynx Qualey

M. Lynx Qualey is the founder of ArabLit.org, a website that brings together translators, authors, publishers, critics, academics, and readers around discussions of Arabic literature in translation. She works as a book critic, reader, editor, and ghostwriter. You can follow her at @arablit .

View All posts by M. Lynx Qualey

This list of the best books for 4th graders aims for the 9- and 10-year-old’s sweet spot. Not too old, not too young; not too serious, not too silly.

1) Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This award-winning novel is a book for all ages. It’s a perfect road-trip fantasy, and it’s a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults.

The novel is inspired by Chinese folklore. It opens in the Village of Fruitless Mountain, where 10-year-old Minli lives with her family. Minli sets off from home in a series of nested adventures, something like a journey through  1001 Nights , but for kids.

Grace Lin is worth following anywhere.

My fourth grader also recommends Lin’s  2)  When the Sea Turned to Silver   and 3)  Starry River of the Sky . All are family favorites.

4)  Keeper of the Lost Cities  by Shannon Messenger

My 4th grader can’t stop reading this series. In the opening book, a telepathic 12-year-old has never quite fit in. Finally, she meets Fitz and discovers a different world. She must leave her old life and figure out a new one before things go very wrong.

There are currently eight books in this compulsively readable series.

5) Camp by Kayla Miller

This book would make a fun gift for a kid going off to summer camp for the first time.

It follows Miller’s popular Click, and it sees protagonists Olive and Willow nervously head off to camp.

Olive makes friends right away, but Willow struggles. This book gets both the stress and the excitement of sleep-away camp.

6) Encyclopedia Mythologica: Fairies and Magical Creatures Pop-Up by Matthew Reinhart (Author) and Robert Sabuda (Illustrator)

“Open this entrancing book and meet Shakespeare’s Queen Titania, springing up with her silver wings aflutter.” This is a delight for fans of elves, castles, hobgoblins, and trolls. It is a 3D book with both facts and fancy, brownies and menfolk, and more.

7) Wildwitch: Wildfire by Lene Kaaberbøl, Translated by Charlotte Barslund

Eleven-year-old Clara is an ordinary girl, so-called. But everything changes after an encounter with a huge and frightening black cat. It scratches her, and Clara is wracked with fever. Clara’s mother knows there is only one solution, and it’s with Aunt Isa in the wild woods. A wondrous Danish fantasy, now in English.

There are currently four  Wildwitch  books.

8) Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot

After his mom leaves him in Brooklyn with grouchy “Ma,” 9-year-old Max finds a mysterious package on her table. This sets in motion a series of magical events.

As it turns out, Ma just might be a real witch who must return three dragons to their magical realm.

This is an enthralling city-based fantasy for kids.

9) Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos

Ana Maria is living in a two-bedroom in Washington Heights with her parents and three sisters. Then her parents announce a new baby is on the way! All Ana Maria wants is to practice piano and get good enough for a new school. But it’s not easy to practice with so many competing needs in one small space.

10) Wolf and Dog by Sylvia Vanden Heede, Translated by Bill Nagelkerke

Wolf and Dog are cousins. Wolf is wild and lives in a forest on top of a hill. Dog is tame and has a basket and an owner. In these nine funny short stories by the popular Flemish children’s writer Sylvia Vanden Heede, Dog and Wolf discuss the important things in life. Food, for instance, and also family and fleas.

11) The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Mya in the Middle by Crystal Allen and Eda Kaban

This third and final book in a series focuses on middle child Mya.

Like many middle children, Mya struggles to get the attention of her sleep-deprived parents. Mya’s baby sister is too cute, and her older brother is too smart. Her struggles will be familiar to many middle kids.

12) Who Can Crack the Leonardo da Vinci Code? By Thomas Brezina, Translated by Hannah Sartin

This an excellent book for the mystery-oriented 4th grader! It’s a children’s adventure book. In it, accompanied by a little dog Pablo, readers start their journey in a Museum of Adventures. From there, they travel back in time to meet the artist himself.

Using the tools provided, readers can solve seven riddles hidden inside Da Vinci’s paintings. When they do, they can save the museum from cunning villains.

13) Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya

Emilia is having a tough time. At school, she can’t focus. At home, her dad is newly home from deployment. He’s spending a lot of time alone in his studio, welding.

Eventually, Emilia and her father begin to weld together. The shared experience brings them together and helps them heal.

14) Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

This book is a heartbreaker. In it, Jingwen has immigrated to Australia after the death of his father, along with his mother and brother. Jingwen struggles to learn English and feel motivated in class. The only thing that still makes him happy is baking pies, something he shared with his bakery owner father.

15) The Last-Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles and Dapo Adeola

This is a quirky adventure novel about cousins Sheed and Otto Alston, legendary heroes in their hometown. This book has everything that you might for a rollicking adventure: time travel, robots, time freezing, magic mirrors, and familial bickering. Overall, this strange tale kept me on my toes and left me with a smile on my face.

16) Max & The Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

This half-book, half-comic hybrid is set in the Middle Ages. In it, Max is a troubadour wandering 14th-century Europe in the hopes of finding an epic quest. He needs just such a quest to make him a knight.

17) Blended by Sharon M. Draper

Isabella is struggling to deal with her parents’ divorce. She’s torn between the worlds of her white waitress mother and her Black lawyer father.

Both are in serious relationships with other people and have a hard time being around each other.

Isabella’s parents finally find a way to make common cause after Isabella and her half-brother are stopped by police.

18)  The Case of the Missing Auntie by Michael Hutchinson

On the list of the American Indians in Children’s Literature list of “ Best Books of the Year ” in 2019.

In The Case of Windy Lake , Hutchinson introduced four mystery-solving Cree cousins: Atim, Chickadee, Samuel, and Otter. The four of them are known as the Mighty Muskrats. In this book, the Muskrats head for the city to visit even more cousins.

19) The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi

In this book, a trio of friends find themselves trapped inside a mechanical board game, something like a giant Rubik’s cube. They must take it apart, and defeat the game’s architect, to save themselves and other children.

More than anything, 12-year-old Farah and her two best friends must save Farah’s baby brother Ahmed.

They do this with the help of a lizard guide named Henrietta Peel and an aeronaut Vijay. They battle camel spiders, red scorpions, grease monkeys, and sand cats.

20)  Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj

Farah is finding 5th grade difficult. A new girl shows up and starts bullying Farah’s younger brother. Farah decides she wants to deal with it on her own.

For 4th graders who are looking forward to 5th, and especially those who enjoy cooking. This book also includes the author’s recipe for hummus.

21) The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

“ The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”

This is the first book in a best-selling series, and it follows Sophie and Agatha as they make their way into their new lives. Sophie thinks she’ll be headed for the School for Good. Agatha, it seems, will be going to the School for Evil. The two girls are surprised as their assignments are reversed.

22) Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

One of the many delights by Funke, along with her  Inkheart   series and her wonderful  The Thief Lord .

In this book, a young dragon named Firedrake gets a frightening warning. Humans are planning to destroy his valley. All the dragons must flee, and Firedrake needs to help them look for a new home. With a lonely boy named Ben on his back, Firedrake might have a chance.

23) Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power! by Mariko Tamaki (Author) and Brooklyn Allen (Illustrator)

The  Lumberjanes  is a fun adventure series. In this book, April leads her friends up a mountain. Except…they didn’t plan to run into the Cloud People.

The characters are bright and quirky, and fun to spend time with, both for 4th graders and their adults.

24) The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko

“Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year. But things are back to normal as they move into Windermere Manor…until the sisters climb a strange ladder in a fireplace and enter the magical land of Arden.

“There, they find a world in turmoil. The four guilds of magic no longer trust each other. The beloved unicorns have gone, and terrible wraiths roam freely. Scared, the girls return home. But when Sophie vanishes, it will take all of Claire’s courage to climb back up the ladder, find her sister, and uncover the unicorns’ greatest secret.”

25)  Arnica, the Duck Princess by Ervin Lazar, Translated by Anna Bentley

A classic Hungarian children’s story. In it, clever Princess Arnica loves Poor Johnny. Both are cursed by the Witch of a Hundred Faces. One must always be a duck, one must be human.

The Seven-Headed Fairy must help them, but will she come in time?

A story of friendship for children of all ages.

Find even more books for 4th graders in our list of the best chapter books for kids .

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How to Write a Book Review- 4th Grade

Yashekia king.

A book review in the fourth grade shows how well a child understands a book and his or her thoughts about the story. This type of review gives more students experience with expressing his or her opinion and critiquing a piece of literature. A book review assignment also can help hone a child’s writing skills. In addition, a book review can encourage a child to read more.

Introduce the book to your reader. Mention the title of the book and underline it, and tell the reader who authored the book. Describe the type of story it is--whether it is nonfiction or fiction; a make believe tale or scary story.

Write what the story’s theme and setting is. This will be the first paragraph of the body of your fourth grade book review. For the theme, explain what the main purpose or idea of the story is -- whether it involves being brave in a hard situation or the value of being kind to one another.

Describe the setting, or the time and place of the story. This could be a long time ago, such as in the 16th Century, or the present day. The setting also could be an imaginary place or a distant country. Mention how much time passes in the story -- whether it is a day or 50 years.

Explain what happens in the story in the second paragraph of your book review's body. In this section, called the plot, tell the reader what the main event or conflict is about and what events lead up to it. Avoid giving away the ending of the story. Also, do not give too many details about what happened in the book so that you will have room to describe your feelings about the book in your review as well.

Explain who the characters in the book are in the third paragraph of your book review's body. Point out the protagonist -- or the main character -- and explain how the other characters in the book help or harm the protagonist. Also, describe who the antagonist is -- the opposing character with whom the protagonist must contend. Describe how the characters look.

Give your opinion about the book in the fourth paragraph of the body of your book review. It is OK to use the pronoun, “I.” Mention whether you liked the story or not and why, and explain whether you learned anything new from the book. Describe what your favorite scene was and who your favorite character was, and why. Explain how the story made you feel at various points -- whether it was funny or sad, for example. Also, write whether you would recommend this book to someone else, and if you would read other books written by the author.

Write your conclusion. The conclusion is just a couple of sentences in which you make a final mention of your overall view of the book. In addition, explain the most important facet of the book you want your readers to know about. Read through your fourth grade book review and check for any spelling or grammar errors.

• Check to make sure your book review meets your teacher's requirements for the number of paragraphs and words to include.
• Take notes as you read your book so that you know where to find various pieces of information you need for your book review when you begin to write the report.
• 1 InfoPlease: How to Write a Book Report

About the Author

YaShekia King, of Indianapolis, began writing professionally in 2003. Her work has appeared in several publications including the "South Bend Tribune" and "Clouds Across the Stars," an international book. She also is a licensed Realtor and clinical certified dental assistant. King holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ball State University.

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Home » Blog Posts » Book Ideas » The 10 Best Novel Studies for 4th & 5th Graders

The 10 Best Novel Studies for 4th & 5th Graders

Reading novels is a wonderful way to build a love for reading! Here you will find the 10 best novel studies for 4th and 5th graders. These 4th and 5th-grade chapter books keep students engaged because they are interesting and fun to read.

You will also find a FREE printable list of each chapter book with their reading level, Lexile level, and other good-to-know information at the end of the post.

*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the  full disclosure here. *

This post is one part of a series on helpful content geared toward literacy instruction in upper elementary classrooms. Here are the other posts to checkout once you’ve read all of this post:

• Why You Need to Have Literacy Centers in Your Upper Elementary Classroom
• 4th Grade Literacy Centers
• Teaching Strategies for Reading Comprehension in Upper Elementary Classrooms
• Ideas to Help Older Students Who Struggle with Spelling*
• Read Alouds for Upper Elementary Students*
• How to Use Choice Boards to Run Literacy Centers*
• 8 Clever Ways to Get Students Writing More*

Posts with * beside their titles have free downloads available!

Why I Recommend Novel Studies for 4th & 5th Graders

I looked across my classroom and couldn’t believe my eyes.

Other than the sound of one selected student reading out loud, you could’ve heard a pin drop.

Every single one of my 4th-graders were glued to their books. Some of them were crying. A few of them had red faces or dropped jaws.

We were engaged in our novel study–a chapter book by Christopher Paul Curtis–titled Bud, Not Buddy. We were only a few chapters in as students listened to the part where Buddy, an orphaned 10-year-old black boy, was being abused by his foster parents.

I use a special bell in my class to get my students’ attention and signal that reading time is over. My hand reluctantly rang the bell and all across the room I heard:

“Noooooo, please let’s have more time!”

“Ms. Marshall, is this book based on a true story? Is there a movie to go with it?”

“Can I take this copy home to read for my reading homework tonight?”

As the loud groans and constant question filled the air, I knew we had ourselves a new favorite chapter book!

This is why I recommend these novel studies for 4th and 5th graders: they keep students engaged and in love with reading !

What Are The Best Chapter Books for 4th and 5th Graders?

When selecting novel studies for 4th and 5th-grade students, I consider the following criteria:

• Word or Chapter Count (to decide how long it may take us to complete the novel)
• Reading and Lexile Level
• Whether it’s an Accelerated Reader book or not (our school is an AR school and I heavily push it in my class)
• Gender/ Race /Life-Situation of the main character (I want books that appeal to all my students)

Once I check out these factors, then I read it myself before introducing it to my students.

Each of the 10 books in this list has gone through this process, and have been read several times with my students.

These 10 novel studies for 4th and 5th-graders also have some of the highest ratings on goodreads.com, Amazon book reviews, and other sites. Many of them have even won numerous awards in children’s literature.

Now that you know my process for chapter book selection, let’s dive right into this juicy book list!

First Best Novel Study: Holes by Louis Sachar

I was honestly nervous about introducing this book to my students at first. I knew it would make a great novel study for teaching theme and sequence. But I didn’t know if my students would be able to understand some of the experiences of the main character Stanley Yelnats.

Boy was I wrong!

My students ADORE this book–every single year. Plus, it has been made into a movie. My kids really enjoy comparing and contrasting the novel and the movie once we finish both.

The movie for Holes is FREE for Prime members. You can get 30 Days FREE with my code HERE .  #AmazonAd

Second Best Novel Study: From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

This chapter books starts off a little slow (as far as “kid” action is concerned). Once you get a few chapters in, the plot hooks you into the mystery.

If you have students who love solving riddles or reading mystery chapter books, they will love this novel study.

Each year that I’ve read it with my students, I catch a new clue or detail that I didn’t see before. It’s great for teaching plot!

Third Best Novel Study: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

I could write an entire blog post on nothing but Christopher Paul Curtis books! Especially Bud, Not Buddy!

Every year that I introduced this chapter book as a part of our class novel studies, my students display emotions all across the board.

When students’ emotions are activated by what they’re reading, then you know that they are truly engaging with and understanding the text.

I love using this chapter book to teach characterization because the characters in this book are so real and multi-faceted. It is hands-down one of the best novel studies for 4th and 5th-grade students of all reading levels!

Related Posts for Reading Instruction:

• Teaching Strategies for Reading Comprehension for Upper Elementary Students
• Literacy Centers for 4th Grade
• The Best Read-Alouds for Upper Elementary Classrooms
• Using Life Lesson’s to Teach Children’s Literature

Fourth Novel Study: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This book was recommended by one of my students after she purchased it from our school book fair.

This novel study is wonderful for teaching empathy and kindness in the classroom. I even incorporated it into our Golden Rule classroom practice. 

I also love how the main character is a 5th-grade boy who experiences struggles with fitting in. This is great for helping students feel a sense of connection to the novel.

Being able to relate what they are reading to real-life helps students stay engaged with reading longer texts.

You Might Want to Check Out: How to Help Your Boys Fall in Love with Reading

Fifth Novel Study: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Having a dog as the main character makes teaching personification and other figurative language elements a breeze!

My students (and I) absolutely love this novel. The reading level is 3.9 (as you will see in the FREE printable below),  so I often use this as our introductory novel study at the beginning of the school year.

Which works great because I need to teach them the procedures for our novel studies, and they need to ease back into reading deeply after being out all summer.

The first-person narrative of the book makes both of those goals super easy.

Sixth Novel Study: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

This classic chapter book provides rich details and descriptions that are great for teaching imagery.

Students enjoy visualizing the main character’s adventures through the wilderness.

One of my favorite things about this chapter book for 4th and 5th graders is that the main character keeps a journal of his adventures.

So I encourage my students to keep a journal while we read the novel. They are more motivated to write about their daily and weekly lives to compare with the journal entries of the character.

Anything I can do to combine reading and writing practice is a bonus in my book!

Seventh Novel Study: The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

I told you that I love this author right?

All of my students who read Bud, Not Buddy as a 4th-grader can’t wait to read this chapter book as a 5th-grader.

The historical fiction setting gives vivid details about life during the 60’s for African-Americans, from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy.

This author has an amazing way of detailing uncomfortable topics in a kid-friendly way that’s accurate, but also full of humor. My students always give rave reviews about this book.

Eight Novel Study: One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Ivan, a silverback gorilla, steals your heart as the narrator and main character of this amazing read-aloud for 4th and 5th-graders.

He is caged, and his experiences help you see life from an animal’s perspective in a whole new way.

Be sure to check out these reviews on this book from other readers.

Related Posts and Resources on Reading:

• Cheap and Easy Ways to Stock Your Classroom Library
• Read-Aloud with Rigor Book Series 
• Centers in Upper Elementary Classrooms
• The Best FREE Literacy Apps

Ninth Novel Study: Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Initially, when my students looked at the cover, they whined about reading it. They assumed that it would be “boring” based on the cover illustration.

But this novel is far from boring.

It is one of the best books for novel studies with 4th and 5th graders because it teaches so many essential lessons. I especially like to emphasize having a growth-mindset through the main character of this book.

Esperanza is a wealthy Hispanic girl whose life is turned upside down due to tragedy in her family; her father is unexpectedly murdered. She and her mother are forced to flee their country and become migrant workers in California.

I use this novel study with current events to help students better understand immigration issues in our country.

Plus, building a culturally responsive classroom ranks HIGH on my list as a teacher! One of the ways to do that is by showcasing diversity through book selections.

This novel helps to achieve that goal!

Tenth Novel Study: Mr. Popper’s Penguins by  Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater

Besides the very funny book-based movie starring Jim Carrey, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is hilarious!

I definitely think it is the most fun book for a novel study.

Even though it is far from being realistic fiction, my older kiddos enjoyed the over-the-top scenes of Mr. Popper taking care of his penguins.

Before teaching 4th grade, I taught 2nd grade for four years and I read Mr. Popper’s Penguins with my 2nd graders.

Here’s why I recommend it in this list of novel studies for 4th and 5th graders:

• My 2nd graders could NOT read this book independently. The word selection and meaning were too complex.
• 4th and 5th graders CAN read and understand the content of this book independently.
• This novel has many high-frequency words and vocabulary words that are recommended for older students.

Bonus Book– Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen

This book is a new edition to my list of novel studies for 4th and 5th graders, because I just recently read it at home with my son who is now in 5th grade.

Even though it’s new for us, I highly recommend it as a novel study in the classroom.

My son Caleb could not put it down! He actually finished it in four days. We both enjoyed the deep plot twists and unexpected surprises throughout the story.

My only caution is that it contains content about magic . If your school doesn’t allow books like Harry Potter, then this book probably wouldn’t qualify either. You can check it out here to see for yourself.

Reading and Lexile Levels of 4th & 5th-Grade Chapter Books

For many teachers, novels must be chosen based on their Lexile and reading level. So I created a chart that lists all the information for each chapter book featured in this post.

You can access that free list by entering your email below. Please be aware that many school servers automatically block outside senders. You may have a better chance of grabbing this guide with a personal email address.

22 Responses

With remote learning being the optimal choice I am trying to set up a homeschool curriculum to make sure my child will not miss out on what they would normally get in the classroom. I am not sure how the material will be presented 2020 – 2021 but if it is anything like last year I will be responsible for teaching and the teachers will provide sheets and websites. When doing a novel study do the students read on their own and come prepared to discuss it in class or is it done as a read aloud?

Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated!!!

Erika, Novel studies can be done both ways depending on your kids’ reading level. If your child is motivated to do the reading own his/her own, then you will focus on reading comprehension and activities around what has been read. If this approach doesn’t work for your kid, then set up times to read aloud together. While you read together, pause and ask questions to gauge his/her understanding. Then at the end of your read aloud time together, give him/her an activity related to that chapter OR give a quiz to see what they learned from that reading. Hope this makes sense! Thanks for all you do to help your kids with reading at home. 🙂

I appreciate your list and would love to look at your additional information on each novel. Thank you for sharing!

I was to order the novel for my 10yr old son how can I order please n from where

Hi Daisy, You can order any of these novels using the Amazon links I provided in the post. These are affiliate links that pay a small commission to this site, but they do not cost you anything. I also emailed you more info about books for your son. Enjoy 🙂

Thank you for your novel study suggestions would love to see yourchart that lists all the information about each chapter book.

Thank you in advance

Sure Cara, When you enter your email, you should receive the book list. If you have trouble with it, email me directly: [email protected] Thanks!

Hello, lots of great information. Do you use a basal reading program along with your novel studies?

Hi Cheryl, I used both. Our school requires the basal reading program. I use it to teach specific reading skills.

Then we extend the practice of those reading skills with our class novel studies. -Tanya

Not a bad list- but I’m very shocked by Mr. Popper’s Penguins being on the list. I read that aloud to my 2nd grade class – who followed the story with ease. I would see Mr. Popper’s Penguins as a 2nd/3rd grade novel- not 4th/5th – especially as far as content goes.

Hi Elissa, I also read Mr. Popper’s once when I taught 2nd grade, but–just like you–I also had to read it out loud to them; they were not able to read it on their own fluently with solid comprehension. This novel is great as independent reading with older students, so that they can complete it without the teacher reading it to them. 🙂

Tanya- I teach 3rd, 4th , and 5th grade ELA at a French immersion school. I have a wonderful job and I love the kids. I have a dilemma this year and would love your feedback. I need to teach a whole group novel to guide them through the novel study process and help set up the rest of the year, but then I would like to transition into self selected novel groups. I have some amazing readers as well as some lower readers. I love teaching in small groups and using literacy centers.

My question for you is if you have taught both whole group and small group…and how did you set up your novel selection for the kids if you taught in small groups (all different novels).

Thanks so much! Erin

Erin, I did one novel as a whole class assignment each grading period. But I also had each student complete a self-selected novel study each month with my monthly book reports. Each student had to choose books from a certain genre each month, but they could pick any book within that genre. Then they would complete a different book report project for their book each month. I hope this gives you some ideas of how I did whole class and self-selected novels. Thanks for your question! 🙂

Thanks for the novel study ideas and information on each book.

THANK YOU! I currently teach 4th grade and would love to implement novel studies with my students. I bought a resource for James and the Giant Peach, but couldn’t afford a class set and no one in my school had copies 🙁 I plan on buying a few copies of books each month. I thought about Donor’s Choose as well. Again, thank you for the recommendations and synopsises!

Angela, James and the Giant Peach is a great book choice! I hate it that you couldn’t find a class set. I will do more research on how teachers can get class sets of books for great prices! 🙂 Thanks Angela

Thank you Tanya for this detailed list of grade appropriate novels! I’ve also used Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH with success. Happy reading!

Cathy, This sounds like a really interesting book! I will check it out. Thanks for suggesting it. 🙂

What a great reading list! Thanks for sharing. I especially love that you included a synopsis and why the book is appropriate for 4th/5th grade. Very valuable. I was thinking of reading Fish in a Tree as a novel study. Have you read it?

Becky, Yay! I am so happy this reading list with the synopsis is helpful for you. If you didn’t get a chance to grab the free list with more info on each book, be sure to sign up for that freebie. I haven’t read Fish in a Tree, but I will certainly check it out! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

This has been very helpful as it is my first year teaching 5th grade reading. Thank you!

Maria! Congrats on your first year teaching 5th! I’m glad this list has been helpful for you. Thanks for sharing.

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Favorite books for 4th graders

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team

Print book list

2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids

by: Amy Zuckerman and Jim Daly , illustrated by: John Manders - (Dutton, 2009) 32 pages.

A talking dog, a housecleaning robot and a three-dimensional “data orb” are among the many cool features that kids might enjoy in the future, according to this lighthearted look at 2030. The breezy narrative follows one boy through a typical day, highlighting many interesting aspects of his world. Fanciful cartoon drawings show a lively and appealing world full of new and intriguing activities that correspond neatly to modern equivalents. Schools are now made from plasticized blocks that snap together, for example, while recess features virtual batting practice and a “smart trampoline.” Recreational activities include magnetized hovering skateboards and a virtual-reality “Fanta-trek Center.” Some social changes are briefly noted, such as new career paths and the increase of marriages between different ethnicities. Interaction with the natural world is not mentioned, although many of the new technologies have eco-friendly components and the food is all meatless and delicious.

Find 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids at your local library.

The Contest: Everest #1

by: Gordon Korman - (Scholastic, 2002) 138 pages.

In The Contest , the first installment of Gordon Korman’s Everest trilogy, 20 young mountaineers vie for four spots on Summit Quest — the world’s youngest team to ascend Mt. Everest. As climbers are cut from the team, tensions build, personalities clash and the remaining hopefuls struggle to deal with their own fears and weaknesses. This gripping story will have readers holding their breath — especially since we know from the prologue that one of the climbers doesn’t make it off the mountain.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

Find The Contest: Everest #1 at your local library.

The Cricket in Times Square

by: George Selden - (Ariel Books, 1960) 144 pages.

The Cricket in Times Square has been initiating bookworms since 1960 and shows no sign of stopping. These days, fantasy-series books rule the bookshelves, yet this quiet tale of friendship endures. Chester Cricket, Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat meet at a newsstand in a New York subway station when a lonely little boy, Mario Bellini, finds the cricket in a pile of trash. He decides to keep Chester as a pet, and a series of adventures follow. Perfect for a quiet read on a long trip this summer.

Find The Cricket in Times Square at your local library.

The Misadventures of Maude March

by: Audrey Couloumbis - (Random House, 2005) 295 pages.

The Misadventures of Maude March is a Wild West story about two orphan girls who become outlaws. Set within the historical context of prairie life, 11-year-old tomboy Sallie March is a lover of dime-store novels. She and her sister become the main characters of their own “real-life” story when they escape their guardians and encounter rattlesnakes, cougars, an unsavory gang and a blizzard. The pages practically turn themselves in this roller-coaster ride of a book.

Find The Misadventures of Maude March at your local library.

by: Janell Cannon - (Harcourt, 2000) 48 pages.

This is the story of an unfortunate cockroach named Crickwing, called this because of a twisted wing earned when fleeing a predator. Crickwing finds he has a talent for food presentation: He is a food sculptor! He builds his creations out of roots, leaves and petals, and then eats them…when he can. Crickwing is constantly thwarted by lizards, ocelots and food-stealing monkeys. As he watches thousands of busy leaf-cutting ants, he wonders, “Why isn’t anyone bothering these little twerps?” Thus, a bully is born. Crickwing harasses the ants until their Queen orders him to be captured and offered as a sacrifice to the army ants. Luckily, kind leaf-cutters set him free, and he redeems himself by using his special talents to rid the leaf-cutters of the army ants once and for all. Cannon’s illustrations are lush and invigorating, guaranteed to enrapture the most reluctant reader.

Find Crickwing at your local library.

The Quest Begins: Seekers #1

by: Erin Hunter - (HarperCollins, 2008) 293 pages.

Erin Hunter, author of the popular Warriors series, brings us a new series to love. The Quest Begins follows three young bears — a polar bear named Kallik, a black bear named Lusa and a grizzly named Toklo — whose stories begin to connect when they’re all separated from their families. This first Seekers book is a compelling read. Hunter has definitely started enough threads to weave a richly detailed, adventurous series.

Find The Quest Begins: Seekers #1 at your local library.

Beezus and Ramona

by: Beverly Cleary , illustrated by: Arthur Dorros and Tracy Dockray - (W. Morrow, 1955) 176 pages.

Nine-year-old Beezus is much too grown up to hang out with her little sister, Ramona, who does embarrassingly babyish things like wearing paper bunny ears and dragging around an imaginary pet lizard on a string. Beezus tries to be patient, but Ramona is impossible! This story is more than 50 years old, but today’s kids will still crack up when Ramona powders her nose with a marshmallow and takes a single bite out of every apple in the house. And they’ll sympathize with Beezus, who learns that while she’ll always love her attention-getting little sister, that doesn’t mean she always has like her.

Want to see the movie? Check out Ramona and Beezus (2010) starring Selena Gomez as Beezus, which adds elements from several books in the series to the Beezus and Ramona plot.

Perfect for: Kids with siblings, older and younger.

Find Beezus and Ramona at your local library.

Chronicles of Prydain #01: The Book of Three

by: Lloyd Alexander - (Henry Holt, 2006) 224 pages.

Ah, the fantasy series, how we love thee. For children today, there is no higher praise than to compare a book to the Harry Potter series. The Book of Three is the first of the fabulous Chronicles of Prydain series and has Taran and his Psychic pig, Henwyn, taking on the evil Horned King. This is a great “under the covers, past your bedtime, flashlight” read. Most highly recommended.

Perfect for: Kids who like classic stories.

Find Chronicles of Prydain #01: The Book of Three at your local library.

The Great Brain

by: John D. Fitzgerald , illustrated by: Mercer Mayer - (Dial Press, 1967) 175 pages.

Set in the early 1900s, Tom Fitzgerald, aka “The Great Brain,” is of the “Tom Sawyer” ilk. He is a shrewd and wily kid with a keen ability to earn a penny. Nevertheless, his intelligence ends up saving the day when he and his younger brother get lost in Skeleton Cave. I challenge you to try to pry this out of the hands of your fourth-grade adventure lover.

Find The Great Brain at your local library.

James and the Giant Peach

by: Roald Dahl , illustrated by: Quentin Blake - (A.A. Knopf, 1961) 126 pages.

James Henry Trotter leads a happy life until his parents are eaten by an escaped rhinoceros and he is thrust into the world of his nasty aunts, Sponge and Spiker. Then he becomes “the saddest and loneliest boy you could find.” When a little man in a dark green suit gives James a bag of magic crystals, the story takes off. James finds an “ancient peach tree that never gave any peaches,” but with the magic crystals, it suddenly does! A single peach grows and keeps growing until James can climb inside and roll away from his horrible aunts to a whole new life. James befriends overgrown garden dwellers, Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider and Centipede. James and the Giant Peach is considered by many to be one of the finest children’s books ever written.

Want to see the movie? The 1996 adaptation combines stop-motion and live action, plus a few musical numbers.

Find James and the Giant Peach at your local library.

by: Chris Van Allsburg - (Houghton Mifflin, 1981) 32 pages.

Judy and Peter’s parents go to the opera, leaving them with instructions “to keep the house neat.” The children soon find themselves bored with their toys, after making a mess with them as soon as Mom and Dad have walked out the door. They go to the park, where they find a board game and bring it home only to discover that it is not the usual run-of-the-mill game. With a roll of the dice, a real lion may appear or an erupting volcano, and of course, let’s not forget the monkeys. Boredom is no longer an issue! Van Allsburg’s artistry is top notch as the children’s predicament gets more and more fantastic. The sculptured drawings and play between shadow and light demonstrate how a regular house can transform into a raging jungle. Jumanji was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and winner of the 1982 Caldecott Medal.

Want to see the movie? Check out the 1997 film starring Robin Williams, which fleshes out the short story into a full-length feature.

Find Jumanji at your local library.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

by: Eleanor Coerr , illustrated by: Ronald Himler - (Putnam, 1977) 80 pages.

This is a book to teach your child about the horrors of war and illness, but most importantly about hope. Based on a true story set in World War II Japan, Sadako attempts to carry out the legend that the crafting of 1,000 paper cranes would heal her disease. Young readers learn indelible lessons that will stay with them for life. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is a stunning portrait of life, death and the power of courage.

Find Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes at your local library.

by: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor - (Simon and Schuster, 1991) 144 pages.

Nothing is simple in this taut, unforgettable drama. Kids love this edge-of-the-seat story of a boy going up against a really scary mean man to protect an abused dog.

Want to see the movie? The 1997 film changes some plot details but stays true to the spirit of the book.

Find Shiloh at your local library.

Bone #1: Out From Boneville

by: Jeff Smith - (Scholastic, 1995) 138 pages.

The first book of this humorous full-color graphic novel series describes the misadventures of the three Bone cousins as they explore a forested valley populated with frightening creatures. As the plot unfolds, the Bones meet strange characters and forces of evil.

Perfect for: Kids who like fantasy stories.

Find Bone #1: Out From Boneville at your local library.

The Boy Who Painted Dragons

by: Demi - (Simon & Schuster, 2007) 52 pages.

Author/artist Demi has created another stunningly illustrated children’s book, The Boy Who Painted Dragons. It’s the story of Ping, a talented young boy who secretly fears the dragons whose images he paints. As he attempts to hide his fear, he covers every possible surface with brilliant golden dragons. When asked why he paints them, Ping lies and says, “Because I love dragons! … He is the spirit of life. He is the secret force in nature.” The book reads like an ancient folktale, carrying timeless spiritual messages about inner strength and facing one’s fears. It also puts a literal spin on the expression “pearls of wisdom” — the dragons live in heaven and collect pearls carved with words such as “Seek your heart,” or “Dare to be great.” Demi’s gold-tinged illustrations are dramatically beautiful, combining paint and ink with Chinese silk brocade.

Find The Boy Who Painted Dragons at your local library.

The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters

by: Judy Sierra , illustrated by: Henrik Drescher - (Candlewick Press, 2005) 64 pages.

How do you protect yourself from a sisiutl? Read this book to be safe! Based on monster folklore around the world, it shares a gruesomeness rating, description and survival tip for encounters with 63 monsters. Short passages will hook readers.

Find The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters at your local library.

Magyk: Septimus Heap Book One

by: Angie Sage - (HarperCollins, 2005) 576 pages.

This story of babies switched at birth is complete with midwives, wizards, witches, spells and mischief. It is a fun read full of imagination and intrigue. Students will enjoy getting to know Sage’s characters.

Find Magyk: Septimus Heap Book One at your local library.

The Mistmantle Chronicles Book One: Urchin of the Riding Stars

by: M.I. McAllister , illustrated by: Omar Ryann - (Miramax Books, 2005) 282 pages.

Urchin, a foundling, was found on the shore of Mistmantle Island. Leaving the peaceful life of his adopted parents, Urchin is caught in the intrigue of the court when the king’s son is murdered.

Find The Mistmantle Chronicles Book One: Urchin of the Riding Stars at your local library.

The Trouble With Wishes

by: Diane Stanley - (HarperCollins, 2007) 32 pages.

Noted writer Diane Stanley’s newest picture book is a humorous take on both the Greek myth “Pygmalion,” and the old adage “Be careful what you wish for.” Set in ancient Greece, the story follows a young sculptor named Pyg and his quest to win the heart of a stone goddess. Observing the action is a real flesh-and-blood girl named Jane, whose own desire (to become a renowned sculptor) is far more attainable than Pyg’s. The stone goddess comes to life thanks to Pyg’s artistic talents, but his ideas of perfect beauty are severely challenged as he learns the woman is as cold and disdainful as she is lovely. Stanley’s colorful illustrations depict ancient Greece with a folk-art flair and a great eye for detail. This story teaches valuable lessons about appearances and relationships in a non-preachy manner, and even young readers can identify with Jane, recognizing before Pyg does that true beauty comes from the inside.

Find The Trouble With Wishes at your local library.

Walter the Giant Storyteller’s Giant Book of Giant Stories

by: Walter M. Mayes , illustrated by: Kevin O'Malley - (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2005) 48 pages.

Using both tall-tale and fairy-tale giants, this book tells short stories from each giant’s point of view. The author provides personality and humor for each of the characters as they plead their case to the readers.

Find Walter the Giant Storyteller’s Giant Book of Giant Stories at your local library.

Walter, the Story of a Rat

by: Barbara Wersba , illustrated by: Donna Diamond - (Front Street Books, 2005) 83 pages.

Alternately funny, spooky, thought-provoking and magical, this is a vividly illustrated and accessible collection of Mexican folktales.

Find Walter, the Story of a Rat at your local library.

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales

by: Neil Philip , illustrated by: Jacqueline Mair - (Clarion Books, 2003) 83 pages.

Perfect for: Kids who like myths and folktales.

Find Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales at your local library.

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

by: Patricia C. McKissack , illustrated by: Andre Carrilho - (Random House, 2006) 160 pages.

Pour the lemonade, climb aboard the porch swing and prepare to pass the time listening to these nine original stories hung on the bones of the “slicksters, tricksters and other wily characters” the author came to know and love as a child growing up in the rural south. The storytelling cadence is just right; the characters are a colorful mix of guile and gumption; and the lessons vary from laugh-out-loud funny to touching. … A thoroughly engaging collection handsomely presented: what more can you ask?

Find Porch Lies at your local library.

How Much Is a Million?

by: David Schwartz , illustrated by: Steven Kellogg - (HarperTrophy, 1985) 40 pages.

David Schwartz offers the perfect read-aloud for the child who has difficulty conceptualizing a million. Join a magician who specializes in mathematics, as he reveals that it would take a fishbowl the size of a city’s harbor to hold a million goldfish! Steven Kellogg’s illustrations help readers visualize the enormity of this number in an entertaining way. This book will surely tickle your funny bone.

Perfect for: Kids who like numbers.

Find How Much Is a Million? at your local library.

by: Jon Scieszka , illustrated by: Lane Smith - (Viking, 1995) 32 pages.

Jon Scieszka, a former teacher and a popular author for boys, presents a hilarious read for anyone who suffers from a math phobia. Imagine how you would feel if your math teacher told you, “You can think of everything as a math problem.” Would your head immediately start hurting? Would your heart start to race? Spend the day with a girl who wakes up one morning to find that every event in her life has been reduced to some sort of math problem. Have fun solving the problems she encounters, and see if you agree that she has been cursed!

Find Math Curse at your local library.

Day of Tears : A Novel in Dialogue

by: Julius Lester - (Hyperion Books for Children, 2005) 177 pages.

A prize-winning story of the biggest slave auction in history. Parents need to know that the way slaves are treated is disturbing – they are beaten into unconsciousness, treated like animals with no feelings and separated from their families. Readers will encounter the whipping of slaves, a forced fight in which a slave loses an eye, the death of a baby in a rainstorm and a suicide. Families who read this book could discuss the historical background of the American slave system. How could people who considered themselves to be good, decent people have treated others in this way? How could the slaves endure it? How could Sampson, a slave, come to identify so strongly with being a slave that he resisted freedom?

Perfect for: Kids who like historical fiction.

Find Day of Tears : A Novel in Dialogue at your local library.

The Earth Dragon Awakes

by: Laurence Yep - (HarperCollins Publishers, 2006) 128 pages.

This story is a short, powerful example of historical fiction. Readers see the experiences of a wealthy white family and an immigrant Chinese family at the time of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A subplot describes discrimination that is experienced and overcome.

Find The Earth Dragon Awakes at your local library.

by: Jean Fritz - (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1982) 176 pages.

Celebrated children’s author Jean Fritz turns her eye on her own childhood. Born in China of American parents, young Jean feels torn between her homesickness for the America of her grandmother’s letters and the devout love she feels for the Chinese people and their culture.

Find Homesick at your local library.

Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story

by: Beverly Naidoo , illustrated by: Eric Velasquez - (J.B. Lippincott, 1985) 96 pages.

During the time of apartheid in South Africa, a brother and sister, Naledi and Tiro, travel from their small village to bring back their “Mma” from her job in the city because their baby sister is very ill.

Find Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story at your local library.

Keeping Score

by: Linda Sue Park - (Clarion Books, 2008) 208 pages.

Linda Sue Park is familiar to readers as the winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal for her book, A Single Shard. A daughter of Korean immigrants, Linda grew up outside of Chicago as an avid baseball fan. She wrote Keeping Score, about a girl living in Brooklyn during the Korean War, combining her passion for baseball with her own family’s past. Being a Brooklyn Dodgers fan in the early 1950s meant season after season of dashed hopes, but main character Maggie goes on rooting for the Dodgers. Against a background of major league baseball and the Korean War on the home front, Maggie looks for, and finds, a way to make a difference. A wonderful, heartwarming story that harkens back to the greatest children’s literature.

Find Keeping Score at your local library.

Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow

by: James Howe , illustrated by: Eric Fortune - (Atheneum, 2006) 160 pages.

The Monroe family is visited by the famous author of the FleshCrawlers books. When the author and his crow show an unusual interest in Bunnicula, the Monroe pets are sure that their favorite rabbit is in danger.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow at your local library.

Circle of Doom

by: Tim Kennemore - (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003) 206 pages.

The Sharp children live in Cleve Cottage at the end of Cleve Road. Lizzie, the eldest, is 13, Dan is 10, and Max is 7. When their only neighbors, the ancient Potwards, complain and ruin her birthday party, Lizzie decides to become a witch and cast a spell on them. When Lizzie agrees to let younger brother Max be the “witch’s assistant,” he is ecstatic to be playing with his sister instead of his imaginary friends. With coincidences piling up on top of spells, Lizzie begins to believe in her own power, Dan becomes uneasy and Max is absolutely positive that Lizzie can work magic and that magic runs in the family. This book is a wonderful combination — ludicrously funny and touching.

Find Circle of Doom at your local library.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by: Jeff Kinney - (Amulet Books, 2007) 244 pages.

The main character, Greg, is a kid who usually doesn’t do the right thing the first time around. His cluelessness about what would keep him out of trouble and why parents, teachers and friends are upset with him is part of the book’s humor, which leads the reader to any lesson Greg should be learning. Parents will appreciate that his friend’s dad looks up video games on a parent Web site to see if they have too much violence. Also, you can tell that Greg’s mom is working hard to raise respectful sons. When a bikini picture from her oldest son Rodrick’s heavy metal magazine ends up in her youngest son’s hands for show-and-tell, she makes Rodrick apologize to all women on paper. Parents will also be thrilled to know that despite the fact that the book is written in less-formal journal style with fun cartoons, everything is spelled correctly (i.e., no texting slang in sight!).

Want to see the movie? The 2010 film version tells the story of Greg’s quest to become popular and features lots of goofy lowbrow jokes about bodily functions.

Find Diary of a Wimpy Kid at your local library.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Book 2)

by: Jeff Kinney - (Amulet Books, 2008) 224 pages.

This book has sibling rivalry, one wild party and some scheming to cheat on tests and get out of chores. The great thing is, like most middle school kids, the characters get caught and are punished. Families can talk about lying and friendship. Why was Greg’s mother more upset when she found out he lied? How would you feel if your friends treated you like Greg did Chirag? Have you ever done something in school that made other people feel bad, but made you feel cool and popular?

Find Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules at your local library.

The Not-Just-Anybody Family

by: Betsy Byars - (Delacorte, 1986) 160 pages.

The Blossoms are not an ordinary family. With a mother who is a rodeo trick rider, a grandfather who innocently manages to scare the local citizenry and get himself arrested, and a dog who wears a red bandana — not to mention a boy who thinks he can fly — it is not surprising that the Blossoms attract misadventures.

Find The Not-Just-Anybody Family at your local library.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

by: Louis Sachar , illustrated by: Julie Brinckloe - (Avon Books, 1978) 128 pages.

The hook: On the 30th floor of the wacky Wayside School is Mrs. Jewl’s class. Sharie falls asleep and rolls out the window. Joe counts all wrong and gets the right answer. Calvin is sent to the 19th floor to deliver a note, but there is no 19th floor — the builder forgot it. This nutty world is built on the sort of playful twists of logic that kids love.

Find our favorites at your local library: Sideways Stories from Wayside School , Wayside School is Falling Down , Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger .

Boy of a Thousand Faces

by: Brian Selznick - (Harper, 2000) 48 pages.

Ten-year-old Alonzo King is an expert about monster movies. He spends hours with Scotch tape and makeup trying to master his beloved monster faces in the mirror. When a mysterious beast is rumored to be stomping on flower beds and scratching up cars, Alonzo is called on for his monster expertise.

Perfect for: Kids who like mysteries.

Find Boy of a Thousand Faces at your local library.

Edgar & Ellen Under Town

by: Charles Ogden , illustrated by: Rick Carton - (Tricycle Press/Star Farm Productions, 2004) 140 pages.

The cover art on this book immediately draws children’s attention. The concept of twins and the mystery of a prankster draw students into the story plot.

Find Edgar & Ellen Under Town at your local library.

by: Frank Cottrell Boyce - (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2006) 306 pages.

The story is told by a young boy who is endearingly naive and who understands less than the reader about what is really going on. He is missing a parent and doing the best he can with his limited understanding to make things better for everyone. And his well-meaning but clueless actions change not only his family, but his town. Dylan lives with his sisters and parents, and is the only boy in a small, rainy town in Wales. They run a small garage, the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel, on the brink of insolvency. Dylan is obsessed with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as is Tom, the man who tried to rob them and whom they hire instead. Then a series of seemingly unrelated events starts to change things in their lives and community.

Find Framed at your local library.

by: Sid Fleischman - (Greenwillow Books, 1992) 131 pages.

The year is 1894. Jake Bannock and his father Sam are on the run and hiding out in Blowfly, Nevada. When Sam unexpectedly disappears and is presumed dead, it’s up to Jake and Sam’s dog, Jim Ugly, (who is part wolf and part dog) to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Find Jim Ugly at your local library.

The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo: An Eco Mystery

by: Jean Craighead George - (Harper, 1992) 144 pages.

Liza and her mother are seeking refuge in Gumbo Limbo, a lush hammock of trees in the Florida Everglades. Also in residence is Dajun the alligator, caretaker of this precious ecosystem. When Dajun is seen as a threat to the nearby condos in development, he is ordered killed and Liza becomes determined to keep him safe at any cost.

Find The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo: An Eco Mystery at your local library.

Murder, My Tweet: A Chet Gecko Mystery

by: Bruce Hale , illustrated by: Bruce Hale and Brad Weinman - (Harcourt Children's Books, 2004) 136 pages.

Chet Gecko plunges into another troublesome case when his mockingbird sidekick, Natalie, is suspended for a crime she didn’t commit. Bullying, blackmail, and tongue-in-cheek humor run rampant at Emerson Hickey Elementary in this 10th installment of these private-eye mysteries.

Find Murder, My Tweet: A Chet Gecko Mystery at your local library.

Atherton Book 1: The House of Power

by: Patrick Carman - (Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007) 330 pages.

While this is a pertinent title for the San Francisco Peninsula, this book has nothing to do with the small, affluent town just north of Kepler’s Books! It is, however, a fantastic adventure based in a three-tiered world. As the Earth begins to shake, the residents of Atherton wonder what is happening to their world and their societies as the upper echelon begins to sink into the lower tier. How will the inhabitants overcome the rules of their existence and work together to face down the unthinkable? The first in a series, this installment will leave the reader clamoring for more.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism.

Find Atherton Book 1: The House of Power at your local library.

Do the Funky Pickle

by: Jerry Spinelli - (Scholastic, 1992) 133 pages.

Eddie Mott has been in love with his friend Sunny from the first time he met her. The school dance is coming up and he has asked his friends Pickles and Salem for help. This hilarious story describes Eddie’s varied and unsuccessful attempts to get Sunny to notice him, while avoiding Angelpuss and her boyfriend Weasel, a tough and nasty eighth-grader, whose attention Eddie’s antics has attracted.

Find Do the Funky Pickle at your local library.

Love That Dog

by: Sharon Creech - (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2001) 95 pages.

A terrific book for reluctant readers and discussion groups, it packs a load of emotional and intellectual depth into a very accessible package.

Find Love That Dog at your local library.

Lunch Money

by: Andrew Clements , illustrated by: Brian Selznick - (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005) 222 pages.

Parents should know that this is exactly the kind of book you hope your kids will find and love — showing the best examples of kids and adults behaving in caring, intelligent and positive ways.

Find Lunch Money at your local library.

Picklemania

by: Jerry Spinelli - (Scholastic, 1993) 132 pages.

Eddie, Sunny, Salem and Pickles are now in the sixth grade and their adventures are still going strong. Eddie wants to bulk up, Sunny desperately wants to take karate and Salem is trying to figure out who sent her a mysterious Valentine’s Day message in the school newspaper. And Pickles? Well, he just finished building a new invention, but he won’t unveil it until it starts snowing.

Find Picklemania at your local library.

Prizefighter en mi Casa

by: E. Charlton-Trujillo - (Random House, 2006) 224 pages.

Chula Sanchez wished her parents hadn’t decided against naming her Esperanza. “Cause Chula means pretty and there ain’t nothing pretty ’bout me now.” Pape was driving drunk when he and Chula crashed. With the head of the household now paralyzed and unable to work, and Chula scarred with a disfigured face and the onset of epilepsy, the Sanchez family is struggling to make ends meet. Humiliated but still determined, Pape is convinced that El Jefe, the most revered prizefighter in Mexico, is their ticket to financial salvation. … As readers will learn, neither El Jefe, nor Chula are who or what they appear to be.

Find Prizefighter en mi Casa at your local library.

Sahara Special

by: Esme Codell - (Hyperion Books for Children, 2003) 175 pages.

Esmé Raji Codell’s first novel for children is not a new story: Unconventional Teacher Bucks Authority, Changes Student Lives. It has a noble pedigree, from Goodbye, Mr. Chips to Conrack to Miss Nelson is Missing . But Codell’s lyrical take on it is sharply observed and poignantly funny. This is a lovely, moving book.

Find Sahara Special at your local library.

The School Story

by: Andrew Clements - (Simon & Schuster, 2001) 196 pages.

Readers will grin from beginning to end of this enchanting story. A kid getting a novel published — too ridiculous to be believable, right? Just ask Gordon Korman, whose first novel, which he wrote as a seventh-grade English project, was published when he was 12. It sold very well, and he had five more published before he graduated from high school. Publishers are looking for good school stories — who better to write one than a kid? This book should prompt many fruitful family discussions, and inspire young authors to reach for their dreams.

Find The School Story at your local library.

There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom

by: Louis Sachar - (Scholastic, 1987) 195 pages.

This book tells the story of Bradley Chalkers, a boy who tells enormous lies, picks fights with girls, spits on people and is considered by his teachers to have behavioral issues. Bradley has no friends, is disliked by all the students and teachers in the school and, always sits by himself in the last seat, last row. Things start to change when Jeff Fishkin, a new student, arrives and is placed in the only empty seat left in the room, right next to Bradley. The school hires a new counselor, Carla, who sees potential in Bradley and works with him to make him see the potential in himself, a difficult task for a boy who sees himself as a monster.

Find There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom at your local library.

Waiting for Normal

by: Leslie Connor - (Katherine Tegen Books, 2008) 290 pages.

Sixth-grader Addie’s life is complicated. Her “Mommers” is given to long absences and immature outbursts. Addie has dyslexia, so learning is an act of will and persistence. Her father died when she was small, but her stepfather, Dwight, now divorced from her mom, cares deeply for her and the couple’s other two natural children. The court awards him custody of the younger girls, but not of Addie, because he is not her “real” dad. As Mommers falters, he continues to support them, but the only home he can purchase for them is a small trailer parked across from a mini-mart. Addie attempts to “normalize” her life around meals, learning pieces on her flute and visiting her beloved “neighbors” at the convenience store. I found it impossible to leave Addie until I had finished. This book will force you to think about “normal” – about what you, and all of us, really desire and where to find joy.

Find Waiting for Normal at your local library.

Snow Treasure

by: Marie McSwigan - (Scholastic, 1942) 208 pages.

Ever dream of saving the world by sled? During World War II and the German occupation of Norway, children in a small Norwegian town prevented $9 million worth of gold from reaching their captors by smuggling it on their sleds in the form of bricks. This suspenseful tale is based on a true story and makes for an amazing read.

Find Snow Treasure at your local library.

William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale

by: Bruce Coville , illustrated by: Bruce Coville - (Dial, 2007) 40 pages.

Shakespeare’s classic play is masterfully retold in narrative form. Full of romance, redemption and the strength of friendship and true love, Shakespeare’s work is born again for a new audience. This is a brilliant introduction to the Bard, with beautiful watercolor illustrations that capture the cold nature of the setting.

Find William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale at your local library.

Deep in the Swamp

by: Donna M. Bateman , illustrated by: Brian Lies - (Charlesbridge, 2007) 32 pages.

Young readers engage with poetry, information and counting practice as they learn about swamps and the animals that live there. Illustrations are bright and entertaining.

Perfect for: Kids who like nonfiction and animals.

Find Deep in the Swamp at your local library.

Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth

by: Nicola Davies , illustrated by: Neal Layton - (Candlewick Press, 2006) 64 pages.

A book to engender a lot of “Did you know…?” conversations, Extreme Animals will amaze readers with facts about animals that withstand earth’s extreme conditions. The most amazing animal of all can live through all of the extremes scientists can produce.

Find Extreme Animals at your local library.

Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People

by: Albert Marrin - (Dutton, 2006) 48 pages.

The life-like picture of a rat on the cover of this book will be enough to pique the interest of many kids. “Revolting, revealing, and riveting,” says the book’s back cover, and it’s an apt description of the nine fact-filled chapters about these “champions of survival.” The author provides information about rats’ habits and intelligence, as well as their role as disease carriers, lab animals, predators, pests, pets and even as food. The gross-out factor alone will make this a must-read for many kids.

Find Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People at your local library.

Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship

by: Isabella and Craig Hatkoff and Paula Kuhumbu , illustrated by: Peter Greste - (Scholastic Press, 2007) 40 pages.

This book tells the true story of the friendship that developed at a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary between Owen, a baby hippopotamus orphaned by the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, and Mzee, a 130-year-old giant Aldabra tortoise. The authors detail the animals’ system of communication (nudges, nips and a special call), how they play together and how Owen acts more like a tortoise than a hippo. The text is clearly written and accompanied by full-color photos of this unique pair.

Find Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship at your local library.

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea

by: Sy Montgomery , illustrated by: Nic Bishop - (Houghton Mifflin, 2006) 79 pages.

The author and photographer accompanied scientist Lisa Dabek and her team on a trek through the remote forests of Papua New Guinea in search of the elusive Matschie’s tree kangaroo. Little is known about this rare animal that looks like a bear, has a pocket like a kangaroo and lives in trees. The book is filled with wonderful photographs of the tree kangaroos, their lush forest habitat, and other exotic plants and animals. Information included about Dabek’s background may be of special interest to aspiring young naturalists and biologists. None of her friends, family or teachers encouraged her in her passionate interest in animals when she was growing up, thinking it was strange, and she struggled with the challenge of asthma. This book provides fascinating information about a little-known place on Earth, a newly discovered species and how one woman overcame the odds to follow her dreams.

Find Quest for the Tree Kangaroo at your local library.

The World Record Paper Airplane Book

by: Ken Blackburn and Jeff Lammers - (Workman Publishing, 1996) 256 pages.

This revised new edition of the popular paper-airplane book soars with 112 ready—to—crease airplanes based on 20 very cool and colorful designs — all of them easy enough for young paper—plane pilots to cut out of the book, fold according to directions and toss into the air. The co-authors are gurus in the world of amateur aerodynamics. Aerospace engineer Blackburn holds the Guinness World Record for paper airplane tossing “time aloft,” and Lammers is an engineer and part-time pilot. Together they share folding and tossing secrets that will make anyone into a paper—airplane connoisseur. … But this book isn’t about educational text; it’s about educational experience and the thrill of flight. The real stars here are the paper airplanes themselves. From the Stunt plane to the Eagle, and the Space Shuttle replica to a Hammerhead, this book is fueled by science and fun.

Perfect for: Kids who like arts and crafts.

Find The World Record Paper Airplane Book at your local library.

The Book Club Kit

by: Patti Kelley Criswell , illustrated by: Ali Douglass - (American Girl Publishing, 2007) 56 pages.

This kit contains helpful directions for starting a book club and includes question cards, bookmarks and activity cards. Suggestions for being a good listener and participant are also included to encourage children to talk about what they are reading.

Find The Book Club Kit at your local library.

Friends: Making Them and Keeping Them

by: Patty Kelley Criswell , illustrated by: Stacy Peterson - (American Girl Publishing, 2006) 80 pages.

Making friends isn’t always easy. In this book, girls learn the importance of friends and making a friendship work. These real-life stories, activities and quizzes can be read alone or with a friend.

Perfect for: Kids who like making friends.

Find Friends: Making Them and Keeping Them at your local library.

The Best of Times: Math Strategies That Multiply

by: Gregory Tang , illustrated by: Harry Briggs - (Scholastic, 2002) 32 pages.

Does the thought of memorizing your multiplication facts drive you crazy? Are you tired of those pesky speed drills in math class? If you want a fun way to learn how to multiply, you must read this clever picture book. Tang uses simple rhymes and puzzles to help students understand the concept of multiplication. Today’s kids are mesmerized by rap and rhyme, so this book is sure to motivate as well as encourage children to use different strategies to solve multiplication problems.

Find The Best of Times: Math Strategies That Multiply at your local library.

by: Matt Doeden - (Lerner, 2007) 48 pages.

From Henry Ford’s Quadricycle to the fastest dragster, the most unique cars of all time are spotlighted in this captivating book that enthralls young readers as they learn about the history of and continuing fascination with the automobile.

Perfect for: Kids who like history.

Find Crazy Cars at your local library.

Fooled You! Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years

by: Elaine Pascoe - (Henry Holt and Co., 2005) 87 pages.

This book outlines over a dozen famous frauds from the 1800s to the present, including P.T. Barnum’s bogus Fejee mermaid, the Piltdown Man fossil fraud, Bigfoot film footage and the discovery of “mysterious” crop circles in England. The author begins and ends the book with familiar examples of present-day Internet hoaxes and encourages healthy skepticism by urging readers to ask themselves, “Would I have been fooled?” Kids will enjoy reading about how people were so easily fooled, and the resource list at the back of the book will encourage further research. 87 pages.

Find Fooled You! Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years at your local library.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

by: Laura Schlitz , illustrated by: Robert Byrd - (Candlewick Press, 2007) 85 pages.

The book will appeal to many kids, including those who don’t usually choose nonfiction, and will be useful for history classes and drama productions and workshops. Even reluctant readers will enjoy the clear, direct text, short length, and dramatic content. We can even hope that this brilliant book, with its awards and attendant success, may lead to a renaissance of books for kids that make history come alive. In 19 monologues and two dialogs in verse and prose, the lives of a cast of characters from a medieval village — nobles and peasants, but all children — are illuminated. Through them, along with margin notes and periodic background sections, a portrait of life in the Middle Ages is created.

Find Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village at your local library.

On Board the Titanic: What It Was Like When the Great Liner Sank

by: Shelley Tanaka , illustrated by: Ken Marschall - (Hyperion Books for Children, 1996) 48 pages.

One of the book’s diagrams depicts the number of survivors according to their station on the boat. It’s tragic — although no shock — that the higher one’s class, the higher one’s chance of survival. You may want to discuss the concept of class differences with your kids.

Find On Board the Titanic: What It Was Like When the Great Liner Sank at your local library.

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming

by: Laurie David and Cambria Gordon - (Orchard Books, 2007) 128 pages.

Laurie David and Cambria Gordon’s Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming makes a concept as complicated as global warming easy to understand. With the first half devoted to the science behind climate change, it’s still relevant and enjoyable for kids. Visuals abound and the book concludes with some significant ways for kids to make a difference. This guide will educate and empower young readers, leaving them with the knowledge they need to understand this problem and a sense of hope to inspire them into action.

Perfect for: Kids who like science and nature.

Find The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming at your local library.

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth

by: The EarthWorks Group - (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 1990) 208 pages.

A practical guide to conserving resources and protecting the environment, each brief chapter of 50 Simple Things provides information and tips designed to inspire ideas and action. Statistics and measurements are translated into age-appropriate terms, such as comparing children’s weight to the amount of garbage thrown away in a year. The book also explains how everyday items — like a light switch or a toilet — are connected to the rest of the world. Fun ideas for the whole family to discuss and implement!

Find 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth at your local library.

Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth

by: Lee Welles - (Daisyworld Press, 2006) 336 pages.

Like eco-Nancy Drews, the characters of the Gaia Girls series will appeal to girls ready to take on modern-day environmental challenges. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth is the first in the series and introduces Elizabeth, who possesses the power of “earth” — the ability to work with and command soil, trees and creatures in the soil. Illustrated throughout, this chapter book is for more mature fourth-grade readers, as it does not pull any punches when taking on subjects like factory farming. Highly recommended for its compelling story and sensitivity to current issues.

Find Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth at your local library.

Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing

by: Paul B. Janeczko , illustrated by: Jenna LaReau - (Candlewick Press, 2004) 144 pages.

This book has everything a budding spy or cryptographer wants to know about creating codes, ciphers, and the methods of concealment. An answer key provides a great opportunity to practice new skills from pictographs to Igpay Atinlay.

Perfect for: Kids who like mystery.

Find Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing at your local library.

by: Andrew Clements , illustrated by: Mark Elliott - (Simon & Schuster, 2007) 146 pages.

This is an ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful school story. Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here and lots to cheer. It’s a story that even reluctant readers can love, about good-hearted children and adults who grow in compassion and understanding. Families can talk about silence and civil disobedience. Why does the silence seem so powerful? How does it change everyone’s perceptions? What do you think of the standoff between Dave and the principal?

Find No Talking at your local library.

The Shakespeare Stealer

by: Gary Blackwood - (Puffin Books, 1998) 216 pages.

Fourteen-year-old orphan Widge works for a mean and unscrupulous master who goes by the name of Falconer. Ordered to steal the script for Hamlet, Widge is taken to London and forced to attend a performance of the play. Instead of concentrating on stealing the script, he becomes engrossed in the show. Reluctantly, Widge admits his failure to Falconer and is told to return until his mission is accomplished. Nothing goes as planned and a very surprised Widge finds himself an accepted member of the backstage crew. Once a lonely outcast, he has friends and a place to call home for the first time in his life. Will he have the moral integrity to disobey his master or will he betray his new family? Set in Elizabethan London, The Shakespeare Stealer introduces us to Shakespearean stagecraft, life on the streets of London and to the truth behind the youthful appearance of Queen Elizabeth I!

Find The Shakespeare Stealer at your local library.

Natural Disasters

by: Claire Watts and Trevor Day - (DK Children, 2006) 72 pages.

Part of the Eyewitness Books series, Natural Disasters covers a wide variety of natural disasters, from earthquakes to epidemics. Written in plain language and illustrated with spectacular photos and diagrams, it contains a wealth of valuable information, including a historical timeline of major disasters, a glossary, and a list of Web and real-world resources (natural history and science museums) for additional research.

Perfect for: Kids who like science and nature and striking visuals.

Find Natural Disasters at your local library.

by: Roald Dahl , illustrated by: Quentin Blake - (Viking Juvenile, 1988) 240 pages.

With his hallmark wit and humor, Dahl tells the tale of Matilda, a child prodigy who defends her sweet teacher against the terrible school principal, Mrs. Trunchbull. Children will love learning about Matilda and her extraordinary powers.

Want to see the movie? The 1996 film sets the action in America instead of England but stays fairly true to the book’s plot.

Perfect for: Kids who like school.

Find Matilda at your local library.

Nim’s Island

by: Wendy Orr , illustrated by: Kerry Millard - (Yearling Books, 2001) 125 pages.

Take a spunky heroine competently surviving on her own on a deserted island (the ultimate kid fantasy). Add in animal friends who seem to understand, the vaguest of villains hovering in the background and easily overcome, a smattering of scientific information effortlessly absorbed and a very satisfying conclusion. Then write it in breezy style, making the various pieces of the story fit together in a nicely coincidental, jigsaw-puzzle way. All together it makes for one delightful story.

Want to see the movie? Check out the sweetly imaginative, family-friendly 2008 film starring Jodie Foster.

Find Nim’s Island at your local library.

Tuck Everlasting

by: Natalie Babbitt - (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1975) 139 pages.

When Winnie Foster is kidnapped she’s terrified at first, but she soon realizes her kidnappers, the Tuck family, are kind people with an astonishing secret. The Tucks will never die, which turns out to be less of a blessing than one might think. The situation — and Winnie’s choices — grows complicated when a stranger shows up, hoping to profit off of the spring water that made the Tucks immortal. A gentle but powerful reflection on mortality, and on what constitutes a meaningful life.

Want to see the movie? Check out the 2002 adaptation, in which the character Winnie is 15 instead of 10.

Find Tuck Everlasting at your local library.

by: Cornelia Funke - (Scholastic, 2003) 534 pages.

Meggie’s life changed forever one rainy night when she looked out the window and saw a stranger standing outside her window. This was her first sighting of Dustfinger, one of many colorful characters that her father brought to life from the pages of the book Inkheart. Meggie’s father, Mo, has a special talent — when he reads aloud, characters from the book switch places with people from the outside world. In fact, Meggie does not know this yet, but this is how her own mother disappeared nine years before. Now, the evil Capricorn wants another character brought to life, and is determined to have Mo read aloud. This fascinating multi-layered story is an enjoyable but dark read for anyone who loves a good story within a story.

Want to see the movie? The 2009 adaptation stars Brendan Fraser and Helen Mirren and stays fairly close to the book’s storyline.

Perfect for: Kids who like science fiction and fantasy.

Find Inkheart at your local library.

A Wrinkle in Time

by: Madeleine L’Engle - (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1962) 256 pages.

Meg, an awkward girl who doesn’t quite fit in, has a lot to worry about. Her beloved father has suddenly disappeared, and neighbors are beginning to gossip that he’s run off with another woman. It turns out that his disappearance is connected with his scientific work, and Meg, her brilliant little brother, and her friend Calvin set out to find him — a search that takes them on an exciting but dangerous galactic adventure.

Want to see the movie? Check out the 2006 adaptation, which dramatizes the struggle between good and evil, or the new release coming spring 2018.

Find A Wrinkle in Time at your local library.

The Little Prince

by: Antoine de Saint-Exupery - (Harcourt Brace, 1943) 96 pages.

A pilot crashes in the Sahara Desert. A thousand miles from any habitation, while attempting to fix his plane, he meets a strangely dressed little boy who seems to have come from nowhere, and who demands that he draw a sheep. “When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey,” so the pilot attempts to draw a sheep. Gradually the Little Prince reveals his story. He comes from a small asteroid, where he lives alone until a rose grows there. But the rose is demanding, and he is confused by his feelings about her. Eventually he decides to leave and journey to other planets in search of knowledge. After meeting many confusing adults, he eventually lands on Earth, where he befriends a snake and a fox. The fox helps him to understand the rose, and the snake offers to help him return to his planet — but at a price. Many adults look back on this book with a catch in the throat and have a special place for it in their hearts. This gentle picture book, concerned with the true “matters of consequence,” was as much a part of growing up for those of a certain age as The Lord of the Rings or the Beatles. There quite literally has never been anything like it, though others have certainly tried.

Find The Little Prince at your local library.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by: Brian Selznick - (Scholastic, Inc., 2007) 544 pages.

Hugo is an orphan who tends the clocks in a Paris train station. He lives a lonely existence in the shadows of the station, stealing food and dodging the Station Inspector. One day he encounters a flinty old man who has even more secrets than he does. With the support of his friend, Isabelle, Hugo discovers the key to his past and the old man’s — and both find a measure of happiness. This powerful story is beautifully illustrated to create the pace and visual effects of a movie.

Want to see the movie? Check out Martin Scorsese’s 2011 Hugo , which won five Academy Awards.

Find The Invention of Hugo Cabret at your local library.

Little House in the Big Woods

by: Laura Ingalls Wilder , illustrated by: Garth Williams - (Harper & Bros., 1953) 256 pages.

Little House In The Big Woods is a classic reborn with great illustrations by Garth Williams. New readers and those familiar with Laura Ingalls and her family will love following along as Laura takes them through a year in the life of the little family of pioneers. This story is a straightforward, fun read with a child’s look into the life of a pioneer. It’s great to see Laura and her sisters take simple pleasure in playing with their dolls, making homemade goodies and listening to their father’s stories. Laura Ingalls is a kid who loves to help her family, is afraid of wolves and hates her “boring” brown hair. She lives in a little house in the big woods where she and her siblings work hard at their many chores, mind their ma and pa, go to school all in one room and have lots of frontier adventures.

Want to see the movie? Check out the 1974 TV series, which loosely follows the storylines of all of the Little House books.

Find Little House in the Big Woods at your local library.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

by: Richard and Florence Atwater , illustrated by: Robert Lawson - (Little, Brown & Co., 1938) 139 pages.

The hook: Mr Popper’s Penguins is one of those classic childhood books that kids always remember, and even ranks up there with Charlotte’s Web and James and the Giant Peach . The chapter book’s witty dialogue (albeit with dated language), clever characters and an ethical predicament make this book as enjoyable today as in the 1930s. In fact, many teachers today use it as part of their language arts curriculum. Mr. Poppers Penguins is a good fit for most first- and second-grade readers, and can also be read aloud to kindergartners.

Want to watch the movie? The 2011 adaptation is only loosely based on the original story but has plenty of slapstick gags to keep the elementary school crowd entertained.

Perfect for: Kids who like classics.

Find Mr. Popper’s Penguins at your local library.

When You Reach Me

by: Rebecca Stead - (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009) 208 pages.

Set in late-1970s New York City, When You Reach Me is the story of Miranda, a sixth grader who’s caught up in reading the classic children’s fantasy A Wrinkle in Time while negotiating the complexities of her friendships and reflecting on her life.

Bottom line : A nuanced book about a girl’s life in the city and a surprising mystery.

Find When You Reach Me at your local library.

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Book Review Writing

Introduction.

If you love to read, at some point you will want to share a book you love with others. You may already do this by talking about books with friends. If you want to share your ideas with more people than your circle of friends, the way you do that is by writing a review. By publishing the reviews you write, you can share your ideas about books with other readers around the world.

It's natural for young readers to confuse book reviews with book reports, yet writing a book review is a very different process from writing a book report. Book reports focus on the plot of the book. Frequently, the purpose of book reports is to demonstrate that the books were read, and they are often done for an assignment.

A book review is a totally different task. A book review's purpose is to help people decide whether or not the book would interest them enough to read it. Reviews are a sneak peek at a book, not a summary. Like wonderful smells wafting from a kitchen, book reviews lure readers to want to taste the book themselves.

This guide is designed to help you become a strong book reviewer, a reader who can read a book and then cook up a review designed to whet the reading appetites of other book lovers.

Form: What should the review look like?

How long should it be.

The first question we usually ask when writing something is "How long should it be?" The best answer is "As long as it takes," but that's a frustrating answer. A general guideline is that the longer the book, the longer the review, and a review shouldn't be fewer than 100 words or so. For a long book, the review may be 500 words or even more.

If a review is too short, the review may not be able to fulfill its purpose. Too long, and the review may stray into too much plot summary or lose the reader's interest.

The best guide is to focus less on how long to write and more on fulfilling the purpose of the review.

How Do You Create A Title?

The title of the review should convey your overall impression and not be overly general. Strong titles include these examples:

• "Full of action and complex characters"
• "A nail-biter that will keep you up all night"
• "Beautiful illustrations with a story to match"
• "Perfect for animal lovers"

Weak titles may look like this:

• "Really good book"
• "Three stars"
• "Pretty good"
• "Quick read"

How Should It Begin?

Although many reviews begin with a short summary of the book (This book is about…), there are other options as well, so feel free to vary the way you begin your reviews.

In an introductory summary, be careful not to tell too much. If you retell the entire story, the reader won't feel the need to read it him/herself, and no one appreciates a spoiler (telling the end). Here are some examples of summaries reviewers from The New York Times have written:

"A new picture book tells a magically simple tale of a lonely boy, a stranded whale and a dad who rises to the occasion."

"In this middle-grade novel, a girl finds a way forward after the loss of her mother."

"Reared by ghosts, werewolves and other residents of the hillside cemetery he calls home, an orphan named Nobody Owens wonders how he will manage to survive among the living having learned all his lessons from the dead. And the man Jack — who killed the rest of Nobody's family — is itching to finish the job."

"In vivid poems that reflect the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, an award-winning author shares what it was like to grow up in the 1960s and 1970s in both the North and the South." Other ways to begin a review include:

• Quote: A striking quote from the book ("It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.") can make for a powerful beginning. This quote begins George Orwell's novel 1984 .
• Background: What makes this book important or interesting? Is the author famous? Is it a series? This is This is how Amazon introduces Divergent : "This first book in Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy is the novel the inspired the major motion picture."
• Interesting Fact: For nonfiction books in particular, an interesting fact from the book may create a powerful opening for a review. In this review of The Middle East by Philip Steele, Zander H. of Mid-America Mensa asks, "Did you know that the Saudi Arabia's Rub' al-Khali desert reaches temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and plummets to the freezing point at night?"
• Explanation of a term: If a word or phrase in the book or title is confusing or vitally important to understand, you may wish to begin the review explaining that term.

Process: What should I write about?

Deciding what to say about the book can be challenging. Use the following ideas as a guide, but remember that you should not put all of this into a single review — that would make for a very long review! Choose the things that fit this particular book best.

General Information What the reader ought to know

• What kind of book is it? (Picture book? Historical fiction? Nonfiction? Fantasy? Adventure?)
• Does the book belong to a series?
• How long is the book? Is it an easy or a challenging read?
• Is there anything that would be helpful for the reader to know about the author? For instance, is the author an expert in the field, the author of other popular books, or a first-time author?
• How does the book compare to other books on the same topic or in the same genre?
• Is the book written in a formal or informal style? Is the language remarkable in any way?
• What ages is the book geared to?
• Is the book written in normal prose? If it is written in poetic form, does it rhyme?

Plot What happens?

Writing about the plot is the trickiest part of a review because you want to give the reader a feel for what the book is about without spoiling the book for future readers. The most important thing to remember is that you must never give away the ending. No one likes a spoiler.

One possibility for doing this is to set up the premise (A brother and a sister find themselves lost in the woods at the mercy of an evil witch. Will they be able to outsmart her and escape?). Another possibility is to set up the major conflict in the book and leave it unresolved (Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part or He didn't know what he stood to lose or Finding your purpose in life can be as easy as finding a true friend.)

Try to avoid using the tired phrase "This book is about…" Instead, just jump right in (The stuffed rabbit wanted more than anything to live in the big old house with the wild oak trees.)

Characters Who lives in the book?

Reviews should answer questions about the characters in fiction books or non-fiction books about people. Some possible questions to answer include:

• Who are the main characters? Include the protagonist and antagonist.
• What makes them interesting?
• Do they act like real people act or are they too good or too evil to be believable?
• Are they human?
• What conflicts do they face?
• Are they likeable or understandable?
• How do they connect with each other?
• Do they appear in other books?
• Could you relate to any of the characters in the story?
• What problems did the main characters face?
• Who was your favorite character, and why?
• We learn about characters from things they do and say, as well as things other characters say about them. You may wish to include examples of these things.

Theme What is the book about at its heart?

What is the book really about? This isn't the plot, but rather the ideas behind the story. Is it about the triumph of good over evil or friendship or love or hope? Some common themes include: change, desire to escape, facing a challenge, heroism, the quest for power, and human weaknesses.

Sometimes a book will have a moral — a lesson to learn. If so, the theme is usually connected to that moral. As you write about the theme, try to identify what makes the book worth reading. What will the reader think about long after the book is finished? Ask yourself if there any particular lines in the book that strike you as meaningful.

Setting Where are we?

The setting is the time and place the story occurs. When you write about the setting in a review, include more than just the location. Some things to consider:

• Is the book set in the past, present or future?
• Is it set in the world we know or is it a fantastical world?
• Is it mostly realistic with elements of fantasy (animals that can talk, for example)?
• Is the setting unclear and fuzzy, or can you easily make the movie in your mind?
• How much does the author draw you into the setting and how does s/he accomplish that?

Opinion & Analysis What do you really think?

This is where the reviewer shares his/her reactions to the book that go beyond the essential points described above. You may spend half of the review on this section. Some possible questions to address include:

• Why do you think other readers would enjoy it? Why did you enjoy it (if you did) or why didn't you (if you didn't).
• What ages or types of readers do you think would like the book?
• How does it compare with other books that are in the same genre or by the same author?
• Does the book engage your emotions? If a book made you laugh or cry or think about it for days, be sure to include that.
• What do you like or dislike about the author's writing style? Is it funny? Is it hard to follow? Is it engaging and conversational in tone?
• How well do you think the author achieved what s/he was going for in the writing of the book? Do you think you felt what the author was hoping you would feel?
• Did the book feel complete, or did it feel as though key elements were left out?
• How does the book compare to other books like it you've read?

Are there parts that are simply not believable, even allowing for the reader's understanding that it is fiction or even fantasy?

• Are there mistakes?
• Would you describe the book as for entertainment, self-improvement, or information?
• What was your favorite part of the book?
• Would you have done anything differently had you been the author?
• Would any reader enjoy this book? If not, to what ages or type of reader would it appeal?

Special situations: Nonfiction and young reviewers

Some of the tips and ideas above work best for fiction, and some of it is a little too complicated for very young reviewers.

Nonfiction What to do if it's real

When reviewing a book of nonfiction, you will want to consider these questions:

• What was the author's purpose in writing the book? Did the author accomplish that purpose?
• Who is the target audience for the book?
• What do you think is the book's greatest value? What makes it special or worthwhile?
• Are the facts shared accurate?
• Is the book interesting and hold your attention?
• Would it be a useful addition to a school or public library?
• If the book is a biography or autobiography, how sympathetic is the subject?
• Is it easy to understand the ideas?
• Are there extra features that add to the enjoyment of the book, such as maps, indexes, glossaries, or other materials?
• Are the illustrations helpful?

Young Reviewers Keeping it simple

Reviewing a book can be fun, and it's not hard at all. Just ask yourself these questions:

• What is the book about? You don't need to tell the whole story over — just give an idea of what it's about.
• Do you think other people would like it?
• Did you think it was funny or sad?
• Did you learn something from the book?
• l Did you think it was interesting?
• Would you want to read it again?
• Would you want to read other books by the same author or about the same subject?
• What was your favorite part?
• Did you like the pictures?

Remember! Don't give away the ending. Let's keep that a surprise.

General Tips & Ideas

Use a few quotes or phrases (keep them short) from the book to illustrate the points you make about the book. If there are illustrations, be sure to comment on those. Are they well done? Has the illustrator done other well-known books?

Make sure you include a conclusion to the review — don't leave it hanging. The conclusion can be just one sentence (Overall, this book is a terrific choice for those who…).

You can use the transition word handout at the end of the Writer's Toolbox to find ideas for words to connect the ideas in your review. If you would like to read some well-written reviews, look for reviews of books for young people at The New York Times or National Public Radio .

Rating Books How to award stars?

Most places you post reviews ask you to rate the book using a star system, typically in a range of from one to five stars. In your rating, you should consider how the book compares to other books like it. Don't compare a long novel to a short poetry book — that's not a valid comparison.

It's important to remember that it's not asking you to only give five stars to the very best books ever written.

• 5 Stars: I'm glad I read it or I loved it (this doesn't mean it was your favorite book ever).
• 4 Stars: I like it. It's worth reading.
• 3 Stars: It wasn't very good.
• 2 Stars: I don't like it at all.
• 1 Star: I hate it.

Book Review Template

About this printout

Students can use this template as a means of communicating about a book that they have read.

Teaching with this printout

More ideas to try.

As students begin reading books at a young age, it is important to teach them to communicate their thoughts and ideas about the books they read.  This template is a good way to teach students to begin putting their thoughts on a text into written form.  Students will be able to process the information they read in a given text and process their ideas.  Additionally, the Book Review Template allows the teacher to check a student's comprehension of a certain text to assess and inform instruction.

• Create a bulletin board with book reviews done by different students.  The bulletin board can be organized by different genres of books or in other ways that are useful to students. Students can use this bulletin board as a way to read about their peers' thoughts on different books and to find books that they, too, might enjoy reading. 
• At the beginning of the school year, do a read aloud and have students each do a book review on the same book that was read to the class. Have select students share their book reviews and/or thoughts on a book.  Follow up by having a class discussion about why all of the book reviews are not alike, even though they were done on the same book.  This discussion will familiarize students with different opinions and thoughts on the same books, and will also give struggling students a more concrete idea of how to do future book reviews on their own.
• Print this resource

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FIND A BOOK TO READ

• What is the book about? You don't need to tell the whole story over — just give an idea of what it's about.
• Do you think other people would like it?
• Did you think it was funny or sad?
• Did you learn something from the book?
• Did you think it was interesting?
• Would you want to read it again?
• Would you want to read other books by the same author or about the same subject?
• What was your favorite part?
• Did you like the pictures?

BOOK REVIEW TEMPLATES:

• Grades 6-12
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Free printable Mother's Day questionnaire 💐!

Free Book Report Templates: Printables for Grades 3-5 for Fiction or Nonfiction Books

Take a new spin on your book report assignment. 📚😍

The Nocturnals are fun-filled animal adventure books with companion nonfiction for elementary school classrooms. Check out The Nocturnals World , a resource hub with free turnkey printable activities and educator guides, and browse The Nocturnals bookstore!

Building lifelong readers is one of the most important things we can do in our classrooms. The benefits of reading are wide-ranging, from improving vocabulary skills to boosting cognitive development, concentration skills, and curiosity for learning. So, how do we get young learners excited about reading and sharing what they’ve learned? Check out our free book report template printables .

Four different activities are ready to print to help you take a new spin on your next book report assignment for fiction or nonfiction books. Students will love filling in their mini book report one-pagers or making their selections from the choice board to share details about what they read.

Worksheets Included:

My mini book report—fiction and nonfiction.

These book report one-pagers are a great way for students to reflect on their readings as they complete different sections of the worksheet. There’s a version for both fiction and nonfiction.

Book Report Choice Board

Give students choices on how they want to complete their book report assignment. This choice board offers eight fun options, from designing a comic to creating a playlist or writing interview questions, so students can let their creativity guide them.

Designing Water Bottle Stickers

Students are obsessed with stickers. In this unique activity, students will design water bottle stickers that the main character of the book would love to have, along with a short description of their choices.

Give students fun-filled books to choose from

Animal adventure books from The Nocturnals are the perfect way to get your upper elementary students excited about reading. Paired with nonfiction companion texts that explore nocturnal animal facts, this series is great for hi-lo readers. Visit The Nocturnals World for more free printable activities and educator guides.

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Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

Short Books for 4th Graders

With the boom in books for older middle schoolers (doesn’t it feel like all the middle grade book protagonists are 12 years old?), books for older elementary schoolers and younger middle schoolers can be harder to find. In particular, short books for 4th graders seem to be few and far between.

Typically, 4th graders are itching for longer books than the early readers and chapter books 2nd and 3rd graders love. I usually recommend slightly advanced chapter books and young middle grade books with younger protagonists, a younger voice, and age-appropriate content. That’s what you’ll find on this list of short middle grade books — with the added qualifier that nearly all the books on this list are under 200 pages long!

Get a printable of this list sent to your inbox. Just pop your email address in the box below and the printable will come straight to your inbox!

📚 Disclaimer in the books: Just so you know, Reading Middle Grade uses affiliate links. This means that when you shop via the links in our posts, we may earn a cent or two at no extra cost to you. Thanks for adding to our book buying fund.

The Lemonade War

Published: April 23, 2007

Evan and Jessie Treski are siblings 14 months apart. Evan has great people skills, while Jessie seems to be on the spectrum and struggles with understanding social cues. However, she’s very book-smart. She knows math and is business savvy. Every summer, the siblings do a lemonade stand — a highlight for Jessie. This year, though, after finding out that Jessie is skipping a grade into the fourth grade with him, Evan seems to be mad at her. He’s even teaming up with another classmate to sell lemonade and leaving Jessie out.

Before the kids know it, they’re in an all-out war to see who makes the most profit. I loved all the business tips in this book, and I know some people dislike books with sibling drama, but this one explores some important emotional themes, and Evan and Jessie eventually find their way to each other again. 184 pages

Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream

Published: April 25, 2023

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself, and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant, and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that, their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now.

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better, and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

This book is perfect for read-alouds, especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too. 169 pages.

Fourth Grade Rats

Published: August 1, 2012

Suds is a new fourth grader and, according to their popular school chant, a Fourth Grade Rat! According to his friend Joey, fourth-graders are braver, say no to their moms, and fourth-grade boys definitely do not cry over heights or spiders. When Suds tries Joey’s tips, though, things don’t go right. I loved the narrative voice in this one and the way it manages to be funny while being an important story about what it means to be a man. It also has cute black-and-white illustrations to keep the story going. 99 pages.

Published: September 20, 2022

280 pages (verse-ish novel with very short chapters)

Odder loves to play. She loves her home in the California waters and is unafraid to take risks–until she’s attacked by a great white shark. After the attack, Odder and her friend (a fellow otter) are taken in by some scientists who rehabilitate the animals. Soon, they make Odder a surprising offer that will change her life. Based on the real-life experiences of some otters, this book surprised me pleasantly. The audiobook is so delightful, with a full cast and sound effects. It’s perfect for this age group!

Published: September 19, 2023

384 pages (super short chapters and illustrations)

Chance is a three-legged dog at the Dogtown shelter, where able-bodied dogs and robot dogs compete for attention. Thankfully, management has sort of adopted her as the house dog. When a new robot dog, Metal Head, comes to the pound, things start to change. First off, he’s determined to run away (return home). So he hatches a plan with Chance and her mouse best friend to help an older dog get adopted in exchange for helping him escape. 

But things do not go to plan, and Chance, her mouse friend, and Metal Head spend a night on the streets on an emotional adventure. As someone who isn’t into animal books, I’m shocked by how much I liked this one. It’s charming, beautifully plotted, and full of suspense, heartwarming characters, and plenty of heart. It also has sweet illustrations and very short chapters. The audiobook is fantastic, with a jingle to introduce each chapter.

Published:  October 1, 1996

122 pages .

Nick Allen becomes an unwitting local icon when he starts calling the pen a frindle. This is such a fun, fun book about the power of words and being creative! Great for introducing kids to chapter books and absolutely delightful!

Too Small Tola

Published:  March 2, 2021

Too Small Tola  is a new chapter book from Atinuke featuring three stories about a girl living with her grandmother and siblings in Lagos, Nigeria. Everyone teases Tola — sometimes lovingly — for being so small. They think she can’t lift heavy loads or do other things because of her size. But Tola’s grandmother reassures her that you can be small, but mighty, and Tola proves that she is!

Readers who appreciate an international appeal and enjoy  books about bullying  and grandparent and sibling relationships will enjoy this one. Bonus points for fans of illustrated stories, as this one is well illustrated.

PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together

Published:  March 8, 2022

Best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Park share one big thing in common: they love animals, but neither of them can have pets for one reason or another. So they decide to start a dog walking business. Unfortunately, running a business and nurturing a three-way friendship isn’t as easy as they anticipated, and soon they start to bicker more than usual.

I truly loved this graphic novel. It feels true to kids (feels like something I would’ve LOVED as a child who adored The Babysitters’ Club), and I enjoyed seeing the ethnic diversity and the parental involvement in this story. If you have kids who love animals or have an entrepreneurial streak, this is the book for them. It’s also delightfully short, and this is a series I totally plan to keep up with since every book is from a different girl’s perspective.

Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart #1)

Published: April 28, 2020

Ryan Hart and her family are moving to a new (old) house because her dad lost his post office job, and his new job doesn’t pay as much. Ryan is unhappy about the change for many reasons. Still, throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is. This is the first book in a charming series that’s perfect for kids who love Ramona Quimby.

Twig and Turtle: Big Move to a Tiny House

Published: October 20, 2020

Twig and Turtle are two sisters whose parents have just moved into a tiny house! The family has done some major downsizing — the kids even had to choose just five toys they could keep, and now they have to clean up after playing with their toys. Both girls are also adjusting to a new neighborhood and new school.

Turtle, the younger girl, seems to be adjusting well at school, making friends, and having a good time. But for the older girl, Twig, things are a bit harder. She’s self-conscious about having few clothes in rotation and being new in general. Twig is also missing their Great Dane, Bo, whom they had to leave at their Grandma’s because of the tiny house. Twig decides that she will convince her mother to let Bo move in with them again.

Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Published: January 17, 2017

Stef Soto is a middle-schooler whose family owns a taco truck, Tia Perla. Like most kids her age would be, Stef finds Tia Perla embarrassing, especially as her once-best friend Julia won’t stop teasing her about smelling like tacos. When new food truck regulations threaten her family’s business, Stef realizes just how much Tia Perla means to her. She also learns to be proud of who she is and to appreciate the good friends in her life.

I loved  Stef Soto, Taco Queen,  and would highly recommend it to food lovers , readers who enjoy books about  the immigrant experience , and anyone whose parents have worked hard so they can pursue their dreams.  Stef Soto, Taco Queen  is an engaging, heartfelt, and delicious middle-grade novel.

Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door

Published:  September 5, 2023

Andie Gladman is just trying to make it through elementary school in her small town while avoiding the class bully. She likes poetry but hasn’t felt brave enough to write hers. Until one day, a man named Hans Christian Andersen moves in next door. Andie is convinced he is THE Hans Christian Andersen.

She’s suddenly inspired to write poetry inspired by his fairy tales and shares them with him, and her world starts to brighten, but when she brings him to school for show and tell, she’s in for a rude awakening. This book was so funny. Andie is a bit odd and awkward, but readers will empathize with her desire to connect with something bigger. It’s super short and maybe not for everyone, but kids who like to write or enjoy clever, funny books will like it.

Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion

Published: September 27, 2022

Ruby is an 11-year-old future entomologist who loves studying insects and playing video games with her neighborhood friends. When she sees a strange bug in her bedroom and shares a picture of it on social media, suspicious agents appear at her door to re-capture the now missing insect.

Soon, all the metal in her neighborhood begins to disappear as Ruby and her friends realize there’s more to the strange bug. This was a lot of fun and will appeal to fans of STEM stories and books about robots.

Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel

Published: May 14, 2009

Dyamonde Daniel may be new in town, but that doesn’t stop her from making a place for herself in a jiffy. With her can-do attitude and awesome brain power, she takes the whole neighborhood by storm. The only thing puzzling her is the other new kid in her class. He’s awfully grouchy – but Dyamonde’s determined to get to the bottom of his frowning attitude and make a friend. Dyamonde is quite outspoken (not rude, just very forward), so if you don’t like sassy characters, you might not love this one.

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

Published: August 18, 2020

Isaiah’s father has died, leaving behind Isaiah, his mom, and his younger sister, Charlie. Isaiah’s mom is so depressed she’s lost her job — and started drinking too many bottles of wine. Isaiah realizes that they need money if they’ll ever move out of the motel where they’ve had to live since being unable to pay for their home.

Thankfully, Isaiah has his father’s books of poems (even if his own words won’t come anymore), his best friend Sneaky who sells candy at school (and lets Isaiah be his business partner), and the kind people who look out for him once they realize he’s in need. In the end, will Isaiah be the hero of his story?

Perfect Pitch (Good Sports League #2)

Published: September 12, 2023

Annabella Donatello has many interests, but her top two are playing softball and acting! And now, she’s getting to act in her school’s rendition of The Lion King. But her coach says that Annabella must prioritize her team over other interests or lose her place on the team, so when a softball team meeting coincides with the school play, Annabella is in a fix.

This is the second book in a fun sports series for younger readers, and it’s a great depiction of overloaded kids and schedule wrangling. There’s also some friendship drama and a narrative arc about being honest. It’s very light-hearted and feel-good with a delightful omnipresent narrator.

Published:  November 9, 2021

Austin’s mom keeps moving them whenever life gets hard, but now he’s in a new school with a nice teacher and a welcoming new friend. Unfortunately, Austin has a secret: he can’t read. He wants to become a part of the Safety Squad in his school, but he’ll need to read the manual to qualify. This is a bit of a quirky read but heartwarming book. I wish some plotlines were properly resolved at the end, but I think most kids will enjoy it regardless.

Maya and the Robot

Published:  July 13, 2021

Maya and the Robot  is Eve L. Ewing’s debut middle grade book. It centers a young Black girl, Maya, who’s entering the fifth grade. She’s disappointed when she’s placed in a different class than her two best friends, Jada and MJ. Quickly, it seems like they’re forming a new friend group and barely spending time with her, especially since they don’t even have the same lunch period. But things begin to look up when Maya finds a broken-down robot in the neighborhood store where she helps out. After setting the robot up to work, Maya suddenly has a new best friend, but how long will this last? And what happens when the robot, Ralph, malfunctions?

Readers should know that this book mentions a racially motivated shooting, although the scene is not depicted on the page.

The Terrible Two

Published: January 9, 2018

224 pages .

Miles is devastated to be moving from his town to another one called Yawnee Valley. He loved his town, had good friends, and, most importantly, was well-known as the best prankster around. When he arrives in Yawnee Valley, he immediately discovers that there’s already a superb prankster there — with a secret identity no less. When Miles gets out-pranked by the Yawnee Valley prankster, it starts a prank war between both kids until they decide to join forces.

At home, Maggie is the odd one out. Her parents are preoccupied with getting ready for a new baby, and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world. Maggie loves animals and thinks a new puppy to call her own is the answer, but when she goes to select one on her birthday, she breaks out in hives and rashes. She’s severely allergic to anything with fur!

Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet? With illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, Megan Wagner Lloyd uses inspiration from her own experiences with allergies to tell a heartfelt story of family, friendship, and finding a place to belong.

There they are: 20 of the best short books for 4th graders! Which of these books have your 4th graders read and loved? What did I miss?

More 4th Grade Books

• The best books for 4th graders
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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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Reader Interactions

What do you think leave a comment cancel reply.

October 19, 2023 at 3:17 pm

Great options here! I also often recommend The Area 51 Files as a shorter read for 4th grade readers.

October 20, 2023 at 4:09 am

Oooh I haven’t read those. Will check them out, thank you!

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Tales of a fourth grade nothing, common sense media reviewers.

Toddler antics bug brother, amuse readers in 1st Fudge book.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing s

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing offers an honest,

Peter and Fudge's parents struggle with the be

In Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, there's so

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing mentions visiting

Mr. Vincent, one of Mr. Hatcher's ad-agency cl

Parents need to know that Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first in Judy Blume's "Fudge" series about the Hatcher family: Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher, their older son Peter, and younger son Farley Drexel, whom everyone calls Fudge. The novel takes a humorous but honest view of sibling rivalry,…

Educational Value

Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing shows readers a little about family life and gender roles in New York City in the early 1970s. The book is also somewhat enlightening for older kids who are about to become older brothers or sisters -- they'll get a humorous look at what it's like to have a 3-year-old sibling. Trips to the dentist and the hospital reveal a few medical facts, as well.

Positive Messages

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing offers an honest, funny look at family life and two brothers' sibling rivalry/relationship. The message here is that being an older brother can be hard, and parents sometimes lose their patience, but everyone does their best and they all still love each other.

Positive Role Models

Peter and Fudge's parents struggle with the best ways to handle the random irrationality of Fudge's 3-year-old moods and still support Peter. Sometimes they lose their patience with their sons. However, they always have the boys' best interests at heart, and they apologize when they know they've reacted to a situation unfairly. Peter provides a good role model for Fudge; he's often reluctant to be ruled by Fudge's whims, but he's generally helpful and understands that his little brother looks up to him.

Violence & Scariness

In Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing , there's some accidental violence when Fudge falls after trying to fly like a bird from the top of a climbing structure; and one kid guest at Fudge's birthday party bites.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing mentions visiting Bloomingdale's and a restaurant called Hamburger Heaven. The dad in this book, Mr. Hatcher, works in an ad agency, but his clients are fictitious companies (Juicy-O and Toddle-Bike).

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Mr. Vincent, one of Mr. Hatcher's ad-agency clients, smokes a cigar.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first in Judy Blume's "Fudge" series about the Hatcher family: Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher, their older son Peter, and younger son Farley Drexel, whom everyone calls Fudge. The novel takes a humorous but honest view of sibling rivalry, and the challenges of reasoning with an imaginative, stubborn 3-year-old. Fudge's antics annoy his brother and sometimes land him in precarious situations, but Fudge will amuse middle-grade readers. Fudge hurts himself in one incident, bleeding and losing a couple of baby teeth, and he is hospitalized after eating a non-food item; kids might be slightly alarmed by these situations or by adults sometimes losing their tempers (verbally), but the book's humorous tone keeps things light. Note that gender roles are quite outdated, too; Mrs. Hatcher says her husband doesn't know much about caring for children, and he doesn't know how to cook a meal.

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say (13)
• Kids say (9)

Based on 13 parent reviews

A Funny Classic When Your Child Needs a Break From Heavy Subjects

Terrible book for kids with younger siblings, what's the story.

The first book in Judy Blume's "Fudge" series, TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING , takes place over several months in the lives of the Hatcher family: Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher and their sons Peter (age 10) and Farley Drexel (age 3), whose nickname is Fudge. Told from Peter's point of view, the book is a series of anecdotes involving Fudge's always funny, sometimes enfuriating 3-year-old antics. Fudge throws tantrums, refuses to eat, defies his parents, messes up his brother's stuff, and generally causes a lot of mischief for such a small person. Peter, meanwhile, is often placed in embarrassing situations because his parents need his help to wrangle their adorable, impossible 3-year-old.

Is It Any Good?

Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing will entertain middle-grade readers, especially those who have little brothers or sisters. Blume portrays Fudge in a way that's exaggerated enough to be laugh-out-loud funny but realistic enough to ring true with anyone who's ever tried to reason with a 3-year-old. The Fudge books showcase Blume's wonderful way of creating honest situations and characters that don't skirt family problems but still maintain a humorous, light tone overall.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about sibling relationships. What sorts of things do you argue about with your sibling(s)? What do you like best about your brother or sister?

Why do you think Peter often feels his mother doesn't care as much about him as she does about Fudge? Do you think Peter's parents are unfair to him?

In Peter and Fudge's family, mom does all the cooking and child raising, and dad earns the money. How is the Hatcher family like or different from your family?

Book Details

• Author : Judy Blume
• Genre : Family Life
• Topics : Brothers and Sisters
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Penguin Group
• Publication date : April 28, 1972
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 11
• Number of pages : 128
• Last updated : July 12, 2017

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Jake and Lily

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Book Review Template - FREE

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Book Review Template for Kids (Tips & Activities)

• July 21, 2019
• Kids Printables

Aren’t your kids interested in reading more books? How can you enhance their understanding skills after reading a book? 

Here is a solution ! How about asking them to write a review? Don’t be funny you say ! No, I am just saying if you have colorful “ Book Review Templates” for kids , you can actually ask them to write what they understood.  

Ask your kids to share their point of view and discuss about it with their friends and family. While this is a small circle, writing a review about the book will help them introduce it a bigger circle or people, at the same time improve their thinking and writing skills.

You might want to check out book templates for kids , who are interested in compiling or writing a book. 

Your kids read books? Do they have the habit of sharing their view about the books? Do they share their review about every book they read? Or do you want your kid to write review about the books they read? Do you want to teach them on how to write a book review? Well, this topic is help and satisfy all the above needs.

Yes, In this article we are going to see in detail about what is book review and how to make your kids write a book review. We are here to help you with the wonderful set of templates that will help teach your kids and encourage them write review about books. All you have to do is just a click away, select the template you like from here, download it, print and teach your kids on how to write a book review with the help of it. All these templates are available for free and you can download and use it anytime, anywhere.

What are Book Review Templates?

First of all let us see what is book review template and what are the components in it to be filled. As the name says, it is nothing but the template to write review about books, which will help you teach your kids on how to write a book review and what all needs to be included/excluded while writing a book review. Below are some of the components that needs to be filled in order to complete a Book review.

• Title – Name of the book
• Author/Illustrator – Name of the Author and/or Illustrator of the book
• Word difficulty – They need to predict the difficulty level they had while reading the book. For Example, Too easy, Just right, Medium, Too hard,
• Did your like the book/Rating – This is to rate the book. As it is for kids, it can be represented with the STAR rating. If not, by numbers. For example, 4.2 out of 5. Or you can ask them to describe the book in one word by proving them a set of words to choose. For example, Exiting, boring, impressive, stupid, funny, sad, heart warming, interesting, excellent, entertaining, educational and so on.
• Summary in one sentence – Ask them to summarize the story of the book in a sentence, that needs to be short and crisp.
• Characters – Describe in brief about the character involved in the book.
• What was your favorite part of the book? / What I liked best – This will help them recollect the memories of reading the book and describe their favorite part in the book.
• What I didn’t like – Ask them to summarize the part of book which the kids did not like
• Draw your favorite character from the book – If it is a picture book or activity book that would contain more pictures and images, then you can guide them to draw their favorite character from the book.
• Draw your favorite scene from the book – every kids will have a favorite part from the book and you can encourage them to visualize their favorite scene, which in-turn will develop their drawing skills also.
• Recommendation – They can tick mark the box. For example, Highly Recommended, Reasonable, Not recommended.
• Reviewer Name – Your kids name who is writing the review.
• Date – date on which the review was written.

These are few of the points that must be covered as part of a book review. Apart from this the kids can add anything extra as part of the template while writing the review.

Are your kids exited to write a book review? Wondering how to guide them on it? Then we are here to help you, as we have provided wonderful set of book review templates for kids in this page that will attract your kids. Do you want to make one on your own? Well, that is allowed as well. All you have to do is to just chose your template from here and download it for free. As we have designed it for your ease, you can just edit the template as per your need by changing the font, background, borderline of the template etc and create/make your own Book review templates within seconds,without spending even a single penny from your pocket. Is it not amazing? Create one instantly and help your kids write a book review.

Uses of Book review template?

Let us see below the uses of writing a book review.

• Will help the kids to improve their creative writing skills and reading comprehension.
• Will encourage the kids to share their opinion
• Will help others to decide on whether to read/purchase the book or not.
• Will provide the in-depth analysis of the story and content of the book.
• Will capture the main theme of the book and help readers understand the author’s style.

These are few of the benefits of writing a book review. Apart from these it will improve their book reading skills and increase their interest to read more books and write review for those.

How to use – Book review template for teaching in classroom

In order to help teachers with book review templates and few sample activities that would help them teach in the classroom,we have listed few activities as below to make their work easy:

• Providing Sample Book review – You can take few sample reviews written by others for a book and share it in the classroom for the kids to basically understand what is a book review and what are the basic elements and points to be captured while writing a book review. Best source to teach them is from the famous/favorite magazine or even newspaper.
• Together read a book review – Pick up an appropriate and favorite book review and read it aloud along with the students in the classroom. Cover everything from title of the book, author, brief summary of the book, strengths and weakness and your own personal opinion about the book.
• Provide a book to review – Provide a book or a short story to read in the classroom and write their review about it. Encourage them to make note of the key points of the story Post which you can read the review they have written and correct those along with the students.
• Questions about the book – Provide a book review template template and guide them with few questions that will help them recollect the incidents in the story and come-up with a good review. Questions should cover on the genre of the book (whether it is Comic or fantasy or detective or humor),  about the favorite part of the book, likes and dis-likes, about the main characters of the book, briefly about the author of the book, did they enjoy reading the story, etc. Also ensure to have their reviews explained in details. 
• Classroom flip book review activity – Prepare a flip book with an interesting topic and introduce it to the students. Provide them with a book review template from him as per your wish and let them write review on the flip book. This will help them improve their thinking capacity as well.

  How to use – Book Review template for students

Making children write a book review is a great way to motivate them to read lot of books. Having said that let us see few activities  that will help them learn and write a good and perfect book review.

• Book review activity Packet – You can choose a sample book for the students to read, be it a short-story or fun book or a comic story. To start with you can provide them a book under their favorite genre which will help them read it with full involvement and write a good review. Then you can choose a template from here for there to express their thought and opinion about the book and write a review.
• Character book review Activity – Decide a book for the student to read, preferably a picture book or fun book. Later you can collect the pictures of the different characters in the book and make cards out of it. Once the student completes the book, you can provide these cards carrying different characters in the book and as them to write review about each character. This will help children to understand and judge themselves with how much involvement they have read the book.

All the activities listed above looks awesome right? Waiting to involve your kids/students in reading books and write a review for the book? Then you can involve them in any of the above activities. To start with, you can make them read a book of their favorite genre, which will help them practice writing a book review at initial times.

Can Book Review Template help kids to learn science?

In order to make students develop their interest towards science, you can introduce it to them through book review activity as well. Wondering how? Here is an example for you to help them develop their interest towards science. You can create a Flip book with different forms of energy (like heat, sound,chemical,thermal etc) or any other science related topics like state of matter or chemical changes, with the pictures related to it. You can ask students to make a research on each of the picture in the flip book, hence introducing science to them.

Help them in understand it which in-turn will make them write good reviews. Later, once they complete the flip book, provide them with few book review templates and as them to write their opinion about each science topic in the flip book, that will help them know their understanding about the science and develop interest towards science. Similarly you can make them read various science related fun books (like 11 Experiments That Failed or Ada Twist – Scientist) which will introduce science to them and ask them to write review for the same.

Tips to help your kids write a book review

Writing a book review is not an easy task for the children at initial times. Below are you tips which will help you guide your children to write a good book review.

• Motivate them to make note of the important points while reading the books. This will help them remember the favorite characters and scenes in the book.
• Make them ask questions about the book to come-up with an perfect book review.
• Guide them to have a structure for the book review they write. For example , starting from the Author to the strength and weakness of the book.
• You should be ready to proofread it at the end. Once the kids complete writing a review, you should have a check on it for any spelling mistakes, meaning of the phrases and help them correct their mistakes in the next review.

Do’s and Don’ts of a Book review

Having discussed in details on how to write a book review, we shall now see the do;s and dont’s while reviewing a book.

• Provide a short phrase/title that will explain your review’s content.
• Be very specific in describing what you liked or did not like in the book. Do not generally say “it was bad”,”not satisfactory”. Describe why was it bad and not satisfactory.
• Do not drag the review too long. Make it crisp and brief. Do not completely summarize the book.
• Do not criticize it badly just because it was not as how you expected.
• Describe your favorite character and be very careful and conscious in what you say about the story to avoid controversies.

Following these  points along with the tips, you can select any of the activities along with the book review template from our page and teach your kids on how to write a good book review.

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