Summer reading is a great opportunity for fifth graders to discover new books from a variety of topics and genres. So, whether you're headed to the library, or want to supplement a classroom reading list, there's something for every rising 5th grader on this book list!
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Since fifth graders (10-11 year olds) read at different levels these summer reading lists will also be helpful:
Contemporary Realism
A Day at the Beach by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge
Can't get to the beach? No problem. Spend the day reading about a day at the beach! This clever narration is told in vignettes about 28 different children. Sounds like a lot, but the effect is to make readers feel like they are experiencing the magic and humorof all the small moments that make summer beach days wonderful.
MORE: 67 Books for 10-Year-Olds
Surviving the Applewhites (series) by Stephanie S. Tolan
Jake has gotten kicked out of his last school and is now living with the eccentric, artistic, homeschooling Applewhite family. The father is directing a local production of "The Sound of Music" and no one is more surprised than Jake when he discovers he loves performing. I loved the quirky characters and the boundless energy of this book. When the family has to pull together to get the show up after they are blackballed by a local stage mom, the results are hilariously successful. I really enjoy how the story reinforces the necessity of cooperation when putting on a play and also recommend it as a terrific read aloud.
MORE: Middle Grade Books about Theater
It Doesn't Take a Genius by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Emmett's brother Luke is going to be a junior counselor at a historic Black summer camp and Emmett applies for a scholarship so he can attend the same camp. Emmett has always done things with his brother but at camp he finds himself adrift and needs to start making his own friends. A lovely book about finding your voice and being part of a community.
MORE: Books About Summer Camp
You Are Here: Connecting Flights, edited by Ellen Oh
This compelling middle grade novel is a collection of interwoven stories detailing the experiences of several Southeast Asian and East Asian American families at a Chicago airport. The stories are written by twelve different authors and explore identity, friendship, and family relationships. Some of the interactions of the characters cause ripple effects throughout the airport, and the protagonists of the stories learn how to speak up for themselves. I found it hard to put down this book, and so will young readers.
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
This funny and touching story of Ravi, an Indian immigrant adjusting to middle school and Joe, a boy who recently lost his best friend due to a move, is told in alternating voices. The two boys become friends when they unite again a school bully and one seriously crazy week full of laugh out loud humor ensues.
MORE: Realism in Middle Grade Fiction
Historical Fiction
Historical fiction summer reading books give kids a glimpse into the past, while also seeing parallels with the present.
Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Will and his father join the land rush in 1889. Wanting a chance to break free from sharecropping in Texas, Will and his father set out towards Oklahoma territory to claim their own piece of land. On their journey they meet Caesar, a Black soldier who fought in the Union army, who travels with them. Fans of frontier-themed books will appreciate the way the trio overcome the perils of travel as well as root for Will when he finds his inner strength at just the right moment.
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman
Lucy's widowed mother decides to move her family from Boston to try their luck in California during the gold rush. Lucy is not a fan of this plan and she does everything she can to earn her way back to Boston. Cushman is skilled at creating humorous, spunky narrators and her books move at a fast pace, making them especially good for kids who may not want to pick up a huge novel.
MORE: Historical Fiction with Strong Girl Protagonists
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Curtis is one my favorite middle grade authors. 10-year-old Buddy runs away from a series of unpleasant foster homes and sets out to find his father, whom he believes to be a jazz musician. Set in the depression, Curtis’ writing is filled with humor as well as serious truths. Ultimately, it’s an optimistic book, full of laughs and one cannot help but fall in love with Buddy.
Lizard's Tale by Weng Wai Chan
Find it: Amazon
Half-Cantonese, half-British Lizard went to live with his Uncle Archie after his parents died. However, when Uncle Archie disappeared unexpectedly, Lizard finds his way to Chinatown, surviving by doing odd jobs. One of those jobs involves stealing a mysterious teak box. When things don't go according to plan, Lizard is left with the box. He and his friend try to understand the mystery of the box, which somehow connects to the war, secret codes and the disappearance of Uncle Archie. Lizard's Tale has a lot going for it. An uncommon setting of 1940 Singapore, themes of belonging, prejudice and friendship, surprising turns of events and character revelations make this a book not to be missed.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Impossible Creatures (series) by Katherine Rundell
Kids need something to read after Harry Potter? Love dragons, griffons and magical worlds? This is the book! When Christopher finds a baby griffon, his grandfather tells him about the Archipelago, a place filled with magic and that their family guards the passageway to that world. In the Archipelago, he meets Mal, a girl pursued by danger who joins him on a hair-raising journey to discover magic is disappearing and how they can save it. Brilliant.
MORE: Big Giant List of Fantasy Books for Kids
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (series) by Christopher Healy
Fans of fairy tale adventures will enjoy this cheeky and humorous story about the "Prince Charmings." The princes, who now have actual names, turned out by their princesses for various reasons of unsuitability, band together to prove themselves worthy by defeating Rapunzel's witch. The feisty princesses also make an appearance and by the end of the book it is hard not to laugh out loud at the lovable foolishness of the princes' exploits. Great fun and the audiobook version is top notch.
MORE: Fairy Tale Inspired Novels for Kids
Savvy (series) by Ingrid Law
Mibs Beaumont is about to turn thirteen, the age when Beaumont children find out what their magic, or "savvy", will be. Mibs' brothers can control natural elements, and her mother can do everything perfectly. Right before her 13th birthday party, her father has an accident and Mibs is convinced that her power will allow her to heal him. She runs away with her siblings and friends to try and reach him. A magical coming of age story.
Amari and the Night Brothers (series) by B.B. Alston
Amari's brother, Quinton, is missing, but Amari insists that he is still alive. One day there is a mysterious visitor on her doorstep who delivers a package that reveals Quinton's secret. He is part of a Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and now Amari has a chance to find her own magic and earn a place in the Bureau. But Amari is not just an escapist fantasy, Alston deftly incorporates themes of bullying, prejudice and inequality.
Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Lily and Wendy are stepsisters, but also friends. One night, during story time with their younger brother, Michael, Peter and the fairy Belle arrive and invite them to Neverland. One sister is eager to go. The other turns down the offer, but Peter's shadow convinces her to follow them. Cynthia Leitich Smith has crafted a truly marvelous re-envisioning of the Peter Pan legend centered around a blended Muskogee Creek and British family.
The Serpent's Secret (series) by Sayantani DasGupta
DasGupta's original story draws upon Bengali myths and folklore. Kiranmala, an inter-dimensional demon slayer, is concerned. A spell gone awry has sent her parents into another dimension and she is about to be eaten by a rakkhosh demon in her own kitchen. Thus begins a highly engaging and funny adventure in which Kiranmala rejects two princes' offers to rescue her, travels to a magical dimension full of fantastic beasts, battles demons, solves riddles and saves New Jersey.
MORE: Mythology Inspired Middle Grade Novels
Mystery
The right mystery in the hands of a tween reader will keep them turning pages until the end.
Spy Ring by Sarah Beth Durst
Choose this book if you can't decide between a mystery and historical fiction! Friends, Rachel and Joon, spend their summer following clues and solving riddles while uncovering a mystery about Anna Smith Strong, the female member of George Washington’s "Culper Spy Ring." After reading this, your kids will definitely want to check out the History Smashers book about the American Revolution (see the nonfiction section, below!)
The Sherlock Society (series) by James Ponti
A group of kids decide to start a detective agency instead of the usual summer jobs. They start out looking for the supposed buried treasure of Al Capone, but things quickly move into a fast-paced adventure that leads to an environmental mystery. Ponti also wrote the much loved series, Framed! and City Spies, so this series is sure to be a hit with your summer readers.
The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada's Reef (series) by Michael D. Beil
Lark Heron-Finch and her sister are headed to Swallowtail Island with their stepfather and stepbrothers for the summer. Their summerhouse has been in the family for decades and while on the island, Lark learns of a tragic boating accident that happened in the past. Lark sets out to uncover the truth of what actually happens and in doing so, changes her own, and others' lives.
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Just before her grandfather died, he whispered to Theodora, "There's a letter… And a treasure" hidden "under the egg." Theodora, whose mother is incapable of taking care of her, must find away to pay the bills and she starts her search for this mysterious treasure involving a work of art. Her hunt takes her all over New York City, into the past, and introduces her to a diverse group of new friends. The secrets Theodora uncovers take her (and the reader!) by surprise.
MORE: Books with Girl Detectives!
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (Brixton Brothers series) by Mac Barnett
12-year-old Steve dreams of being a detective and has studiously read and re-read "The Baily Brothers Detective Handbook." He knows everything about solving crimes, which comes in handy when he finds himself thrown into the middle of an exciting mystery. Every book in the series has tons of adventure, twist and turns, loads of intelligent humor and a satisfying ending
Graphic Novels
Middle grade readers who love graphic novels have loads of wonderful choices!
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
What could be more fun that a cartoon book (aka graphic novel) about kids making cartoons? Not much, I tell you. This is cheerful book about kids in an after school club collaborating on creative endeavors, making friends and pursuing goals. It might even inspire your kids to pick up pen and paper to create their own cartoons!
MORE: Funny Graphic Novels for Kids
Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds, illustrated by Pablo Leon
Even kids who aren't into Spider Man will love this graphic novel. Miles Morales is just a kid attending high school in Brooklyn who starts a fundraiser for victims of an earthquake in Puerto Rico. However, he finds himself delving into the connections of his friend's missing father and the corporation behind his fundraiser. Spider-Man must spring into action!
Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas by Sam Maggs, illustrated by Kendra Wells
Tell No Tales is a swashbuckling graphic novel inspired by the legendary female pirate, Anne Bonny. Anne and her diverse crew make up an unconventional family as they bond over getting to know each other as they prepare for an encounter with the pirate-hunting villain, Woodes Rogers. Absolutely great fun. An author's note gives some background on the diverse cast of characters, their real-life counterparts and a (very) brief overview of piracy. Ages 8 and up.
Silverwing (series) by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Christopher Steininger
Shade, a young bat, is separated from the other silverwing bats during the winter migration. His journey is fraught with peril. Along the way, he meets other creatures, both winged and grounded, all of which are brilliantly brought to life with Steininger's illustrations.
The Cardboard Kingdom (series) by Chad Sell
This is a joyous tale of neighborhood kids who transform mere cardboard into the most marvelous imaginative world. The story is collaboratively written by a number of authors. Sixteen characters transform their world and learn about their own identities, making this book a wonderful tour de force!
Mister Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin
Find it: Amazon
Everyone in our family loved Mister Invincible! This French comic features a masked crusader who helps ordinary people, fights villains and foils the devious plots of mad scientists. What's his superpower, you ask? It's breaking through the walls of the comic strip boxes. Mr. Invincible can reach through one panel to affect the action in previous and future panels. Great fun!
Nonfiction
Women's Right to Vote (History Smashers series) by Kate Messner, illustrated by Dylan Meconis
For kids who might be a little history-resistant, Messner's new series, "History Smashers" is a great choice. With easy-to-read text, lots of illustrations and a good dose of humor, Messner makes learning about history fun and entertaining. We all know laughter helps kids retain knowledge, right? Highly recommended.
More History Smashers titles include: Plagues & Pandemics, Titanic, and The Mayflower.
Priceless Facts about Money by Mellody Hobson, illustrated by Caitlin Stevens
Maybe if your kids read this book during this summer, they will spend next summer figuring out how they can make a little extra money! Financial literacy is important, so why not start early and make it entertaining. Not only does this book teach kids about how financial systems operate, it gives some interesting and (kind of amazing) facts!
The Great Chicago Fire (History Comics series) by Kate Hannigan, illustrated by Alex Graudins
Graphic novels are a great way to make history come alive. Boring date memorization can't hold a candle to exciting illustrations and witty asides housed in speech bubbles. Hannigan tells the story of the Chicago fire of 1871 through the eyes of a brother and sister trying to escape the flames. The duo then reappear at the World's Fair in 1893, showing the recovery of the city. I especially appreciated the way Hannigan weaves insightful commentary into the narrative.
MORE: Nonfiction Graphic Novels
Rocket to the Moon! (Big Ideas that Changed the World series) by Don Brown
I love that Brown wrote a graphic novel about the Apollo 11 mission because my younger son is not very interested in science, but because he adores graphic novels and comics he read this book several times. Brown is an experienced author of historical fiction for children and this is a wonderful book to read in celebration of the anniversary of the moon landing.
Also read in the same series: A Shot in the Arm!, and Machines that Think.
Stacey says
What a fun list! My daughter and I have read a bunch but there are many new-to-us titles on here too that I can't wait to explore. I just started The War That Save My Life and I'm loving it too!!!
Erica MomandKiddo says
It's such a good book!
Katey Howes says
My daughter is heading into 5th grade in the fall, and these look like some great suggestions! She has already read Under the Egg, so we are thinking of doing Chasing Vermeer and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler this summer, to go with the "art mystery" theme. Flora and Ulysses was a family favorite last summer, as well. Thanks for the great ideas.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Mrs. Basil E is one of my all time favorite books. I really want to read Chasing Vermeer, as well. So many books, so little time. 🙂
Laura says
What a wonderful list! A couple of these are already on our to-be-read shelf. The Grand Plan to Fix Everything is a new one for me, though. It sounds like a story my nine-year-old daughter will really enjoy. Thanks for the suggestions!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope she enjoys it!
Jacquie says
I saw your comment so I thought I'd leave a note as I'm just finishing a 'books to bring to the museum' list -- Mrs. Basil E. was my favorite book growing up and it great for an art theme! My son also loved Chasing Vermeer (as did I -- lots of cool math intertwined with that). Another great art-themed read is Masterpiece which comes with some interesting discussion on it's own.
We just finished the Applewhites as a read aloud (wonderful book) and Out of Dust was a very sad but memorable read. Off to check out a few of these that we haven't read as our summer begins in 9 days so we're really building our reading lists 🙂
Linda Elkin says
i would love for you to check out my book, perfect for 10-12 year old girls, but boys could enjoy and learn a thing or two as well:
Middle school is constant drama. Everyone’s changing. Everyone’s emotions are moody. And everyone’s brains are overloaded. How can anyone survive this awkward, challenging, and at times just plain miserable period of life?
Based on her first day of seventh grade, Gaby has no idea. First her two best friends ditch her. She then gets stuck sitting with Lily, one of the most unpopular girls in the grade. And English class doesn’t make life any better, as she has to write a nonfiction book on anything—anything—by the end of the term. Gaby has too many problems to even think about writing a book. But Lily thinks the answer is just that: to write about middle school nightmares, and deal with cliques, crushes, bullies, friend fights, and more.
elizabeth says
I am moving back to 5th grade in the fall and couldn't be happier about it! Some of my favorites to use the last time I taught 5th grade (2006) were Andrew Clements' books such as The Landry News and Frindle. I love the way he writes about 5th and 6th graders!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Clements' books are so great for this age! Thanks for suggesting them. We had a great time reading Frindle.