My 9 year old 3rd grader loves books. Simply put, he is a voracious reader. Truthfully, I can't keep up with him. I love watching his reading progression and seeing him read longer and longer books and so this list of books for 9 year olds is a natural sequel to 8 books for 8 year olds.
I selected these chapter books because they are titles my 9 year old has recently read. Most "middle grade" fiction is aimed at ages 8 to 12, so these books fall into that reading level, but the subject matter of these particular selections is on the lighter end of middle grade. So of course, these are not just books for 9 year olds!
If you are familiar with my lists, you know I don't subscribe to the "books for boys" and "books for girls" categorization of reading material. These classics and contemporary books are excellent choices for both boys and girls. I do wish this list was a bit more diverse, so I'll work on that for next time. {Note: affiliate links are included below}
Don't forget: I publish a new list every Monday so be sure to peruse the index for all my lists.
Last month Kiddo came home from school to tell me his 3rd grade teachers were reading In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson aloud to the class. I mentioned I had it at home and he got really excited! I love that he wanted to read the book himself, even though he was hearing it at school. I've noticed that exposure to particular books at school is a huge selling point with kids. Have you noticed that with your kids, too? This is a really wonderful story about a 10 year old who moves with her family from China to Brooklyn. In her attempt to understand American culture and be accepted, she focuses on baseball as an entry point, making new friends along the way.
The Candymakers. At 480 pages, this is one of the longest books my son has read. He had finished reading another of Wendy Mass' books, Pi in the Sky, and really enjoyed it, so I was inspired to buy him this one. When 4 kids gather for the Confectionery Association Conference, they end up trying to solve the mystery of a stolen secret ingredient and create the best candy ever. I was impressed that he couldn't stop reading it, despite its length. Also available as an ebook.
Mousenet. I gave this to Kiddo for Christmas and he loved it so much, he read it in a day. I would have bought the sequel, Mousemobile, but it's only in hardback (and as an eBook) and I am too cheap, so we are getting it from the library. 10 year old Megan and her uncle invent the "thumbtop", a miniature computer. They set out to change the world by supplying every mouse hole with one. Clever and well-written. Also available as an ebook.
When parents tell me their kids have trouble finishing books, I like to recommend The Whipping Boy. It's a short novel, but just as entertaining and fulfilling as longer books. The vain and snobbish Prince Brat and Jemmy, his whipping boy, are kidnapped by a pair of thieves. A case of mistaken identity is the catalyst for lots of action, humor and interesting plot twists. Plus, it's a classic from the 1980s and a Newbery winner so you can feel quite satisfied about getting your kid to read it.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. When I was a kid this book was my first impression of what it must be like to live in New York City. Now I am raising kids here so I imagine Kiddo sees the book through a different lens. Claudia and her brother sneak away to live at the Metropolitan Museum. They manage to hang out there for a week, get caught up in a mystery surrounding a statue and and meet the intriguing Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Don't let your kids grow up without reading it. Also available as an ebook.
Double Dog Dare. Here's another book I gave Kiddo for Christmas and he gobbled up in one sitting. With an opening chapter titled, "A Pair of Boy's Underwear," who can blame him? Don't let the silliness of the chapter titles put you off. This is a terrific, funny book about a "dare contest" (in Kiddo's words) between two enemies who end up finding common ground in their mischievous ways. Also available as an ebook.
Mr. Popper's Penguins. We listed to the audio version of this book when Kiddo was younger, and also I read it aloud, but still he chose it from the school library to read at home he loves it so much. This classic book from the 40s about a family that adopts a flock of penguins and takes them on tour is guaranteed to be loads of fun. Also available as an ebook.
Big Nate. Kiddo loves the Big Nate series. He's been reading them for a few years, now. Nate has been compared to A Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I've never read those books (nor has my son), so I can't comment on that. To be completely honest, this is not the kind of book that appeals to me, but Kiddo and his friends gobble them up, so I won't complain. Big Nate navigates the perils of school life in this combination graphic novel/comic/novel. Also available as an ebook.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This classic doesn't need an introduction. I read it aloud to both boys last year and needless to say it was a hit. I'm pretty sure he's read it by himself before; it's hard to keep track of all of his books! However, he recently brought it home from school. Although I encourage Kiddo to read whatever he wants at home, the teachers require him to read books "at his level". I confess, since my son is not a reluctant reader I don't pay much attention to what his official reading level is (I find all those numbers and letter levels limiting, anyway), but I do like to have an idea of what his teachers think his comprehension level is. As you know, comprehension and the ability to decode words is not always the same thing. Also available as an ebook.
Do you have children on the cusp of middle grade reading? What books for 9 year olds do they enjoy?
More:
- 10 books for 10 year olds
- 4th grade summer reading
- 11 books for 11 year olds
- 8 books for 8 year olds
- Books for 7 Year olds
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Jenny says
This list is going to come in very handy for Claire's book club- thank you!
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's so great that Claire is in a book club! I want Kiddo to join a book club, but it conflicted with karate.
Jamie says
My 4th grade son is a voracious reader. It makes me so proud! Thanks for the new titles. We will head to the library to check them out.
Jamie
Play to Learn Preschool
Erica MomandKiddo says
Enjoy!
marykprather says
Thanks for these suggestions -- we've read a few in the list (The Whipping Boy being our favorite), but some we have not read. I'm putting those on our library list!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope you enjoy your new reads!
Natalie AfterschoolForSmartyPants says
Great list! So far the only book that we read from it is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but I think my daughter might like Candymakers.
Pragmatic Mom says
We loved The Candymakers and The Year of the Boar!
Resh says
I just read "Fortunately, the Milk" by Neil Gaiman and couldn't put it down! Gaiman's writing and story telling is superb to say the least! Would love to see that one go on this list 🙂
-Reshama @Stackingbooks
Erica MomandKiddo says
That is on our to read list! Just haven't gotten to it yet!
Even in Australia says
My third-grader is reading many of the same books. She just finished In The Year of the Boar... and The Candymakers. She also just read Castle Coronoa by Sharon Creech, which I highly recommend, and The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, which I also recommend. However, I'm getting a little stuck on suggestions. She's already read The Mixed-up Files and I'm looking forward to when Under the Egg comes out, but til then... she's read all the non-scary, non-sad classics (Heidi, A Little Princess, Betsy-Tacy, All-of-a-Kind Family, Ramona, Andrew Clements), but I don't think she's quite ready for A Wrinkle in Time, A Bridge to Terabithia, and this morning she turned down The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Other ideas? Some of the other Wendy Mass books seem a little old for her...
Erica MomandKiddo says
What about The Westing Game? I'm planning on putting that under Kiddo's nose next. Also, The Enormous Egg and Harriet the Spy! I agree about Mass's other books, except for Pi in the Sky, they are for older kids.
mreeanne says
What about the Misty of Chincoteague series, Miracles on Maple Hill, Blue Willow, The Ordinary Princess, and Caddie Woodlawn and sequel, Magical Melons?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestions!
Even in Australia says
Oh, and The Saturdays and the Moffats. She found the Edgar Eager books a bit confusing... maybe it's time to try them again...
Erica MomandKiddo says
We loved The Saturdays and the Moffats as read alouds. I think they are on another list somewhere... maybe the one of old fashioned read alouds. It's hard to keep track. LOL
Deceptively Educational says
My son LOVES Big Nate too! I'll definitely be checking out some of these other titles. Your lists are SO helpful, as I struggle to keep up with my son's appetite for books! 🙂
Alanna Hector says
Ditto!! And you can't imagine how happy I am to see the words From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. For 30 years I have not remembered the title of this book (or is it 40?). I just remember the story and now I know what it's called, I can read it to my kids!!!! That book - and The Island of the Blue Dolphins and Mrs Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh - all have stayed with me.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Those are all wonderful books! I remember them well, too.
Stacie Theis says
I always enjoy your recommendations. My 10 year old is an avid reader so we are always in search of new books. Thanks for sharing!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you Stacie! I hope you 10 year old enjoys some of these recommendations!
Ann Marie says
Hello Erica, You may not see this - the last comment was Feb. 25 - but I thought I would give it a shot. I love your book lists and I love voracious readers. You may already be familiar with this title (I just found your blog and I have not gone through all your lists yet), but if not I think your boy would love it. "The Return of the Twelves" has been a family favorite. Here's a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_and_the_Genii
Cheers
Erica MomandKiddo says
I do get comment notifications on older posts. 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
Bob Weber Jr. says
Great list! You might also like the book I co-created with Jay Stephens titled "Oh, Brother! Brat Attack!" The book is being released October 27, 2015 by Andrews McMeel Publishing (Also published Calvin and Hobbes).
http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/catalog/detail?sku=9781449472252
Leslie says
We just read Whipping Boy and Mr. Popper's Penguins. Roald Dahl has long been a favorite! I hope you'll start linking your reading lists up to our Literacy Musing Mondays Linkup #LMMLinkup.
Michele says
My son loved Young Fredle, and I couldn't wait to read more of it, too! Also, The Little House on the Prairie series, BFG, Trumpet of The Swans by EB White and Desperaux.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great suggestions!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Those are great books!
Joanna F says
I hgihly recommend The Sixty Eight Rooms series by Marianne Malone. I couldn't put them down! Was so excited to add these books to our school library. http://www.mariannemalone.com/books.html
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Felicity says
I’ve received an ARC of a book due to be released in October 2019 which would be perfect for this list. It’s called “The Secrets of Magnolia Moon” and it’s written in a similar voice to Kate DiCamillo’s books. I won this book in an Instagram competition (no affiliation with the author or publisher) and it’s just delightful. Magnolia (who’s very good at keeping secrets so everyone tends to tell her their secrets) is nine and she’s a delightful character, with a vivid imagination and a lovely sense of joy in the world and the people around her.
Erica says
Thanks for the recommendation!
Sarah says
Hi! I am so grateful for your website! I wanted to pass along 2 suggestions, though I dont know if they are on other lists. My son (8.5 yrs.) enjoyed Pablo and Birdie by Alison McGhee and Letters from Riftka by Karen Hesse.
Sarah says
And Water Buffalo Days by Huynh Quang Nhuong.
Erica says
Thanks for sharing your recommendations.