Choose one of these meaningful and entertaining books to read aloud to your 4th grader at home or in the classroom.
If you are looking for the perfect read aloud for your 4th grade (generally, 8-9 year olds) you want a book with a good balance between suspenseful plotting and complex character development. Not only that, you want a book that act as important conversation starters about important topics.
This book list includes books in a variety of genres like historical fiction, fantasy, mystery and adventure stories!
More read aloud books for this age:
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A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
In 12th century Korea, Tree-Ear, an orphan, lives under the bridge with the disabled Crane-man. The two survive from day to day but Tree-Ear is fascinated by the local,revered potter, Min. Circumstances collide and Tree-Ear becomes Min's apprentice. Tree-Ear must learn patience, an appreciation for hard work, as well as suffer through Min's bad temper. When Min sets about creating pottery to impress an emissary, Tree-Ear is determined to help him succeed and undergoes an important, life-changing journey. An utterly fantastic book.
The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
This is the funny and poignant story of Deza Malone and her family during the Great Depression. Deza is a likable, smart protagonist who observes the ironies, joys and hardships around her. Her scamp of a brother, Jimmie has a gorgeous singing voice and could become a star if he could just stay out of trouble. Her father barely survives a boating accident and when he moves away to find employment, the rest of the family must go in search of him. Curtis paints a vivid portrait of the 1930s filled with interesting characters.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Crenshaw will help you start a conversation with your kids about childhood poverty and homelessness. It is an important book and will encourage well-off kids to have compassion for others, as well as allow underprivileged kids to be heard. Crenshaw is 10-year-old Jackson's imaginary friend. Jackson's family has fallen on hard times and Jackson is frustrated with his parent's inability to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. Crenshaw offers Jackson a way to work through his emotions and helps him realize he doesn't have to feel responsible for everything. This book does not gloss over the difficulties that millions of children face everyday but Crenshaw adds in a bit of humor.
Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
I love any book rooted in folklore, and this is no exception. In this page-turner, Hopson tells the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast origin story. Piŋa has grown up with the knowledge that his two brothers vanished on the mountain which he must now climb to collect obsidian. On the mountain he meets the eagle god, Savik, who presents him with an impossible choice. Pinja chooses to become Savik's captive, setting him on a journey that is terrifying but teaches him valuable lessons.
MORE: Mythology-Inspired Middle Grade Books
A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
Mia has synesthesia, a condition in which the 5 senses overlap. It can manifest itself in different ways. For Mia, sounds, letter and numbers all have colors. No one believes her and her neurodiversity causes her difficulty at school. She finally gets a name for her experience and meets others like her, but struggles with the death of her beloved cat, Mango. This book is sure to start all sorts of conversations about what it's like to experience the world in a way outside the "normal."
The War that Saved My Life (series) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ada, born with a club foot, has never left the apartment she shares with her younger brother and cruel mother. When her mother sends her brother out of London to the countryside at the start of WWII, Ada runs away with him. In the country they begin to make a new life with Susan, a woman who reluctantly takes them in. The three of them form a bond and Ada finally gets to truly live.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Kerr based this book on her own experience leaving Nazi Germany and living in Switzerland and France, before finally heading for England. As a young Jewish girl, Anna is aware that something unsettling is happening in her home country, and her father's livelihood is threatened, but she doesn't quite understand the danger Hitler poses. While in Zurich and Paris, young Anna must learn how to navigate new schools and cultures, make new friends and accept that her family life is irrevocably changed. Through it all, Anna hangs on to the idea that as long as their family is together, that is all that matters.
MORE: Children's Books about the Holocaust
A Long Way From Chicago (series) by Richard Peck
In depression-era Illinois, Joey and his younger sister, Mary Alice, spend 9 summers with their formidable, yet lovable Grandma. Each chapter is a self-contained story of one hilarious summer-time adventure and are perfect for family read alouds. Even though this book was written in 1998, it reads like an old-fashioned children’s novel.
Firstborn by Tor Seidler
Find it: Amazon
Initially my 11-year-old read this book and after he pronounced it “awesome!”, his younger brother insisted I read it. We actually ended up listening to it on audiobook, and my 7-year-old and I agreed with the “awesome” assessment. Maggie the Magpie narrates the story of how she leaves her home and meets a group of wolves. Maggie is impressed with the wolves and decides to cast her lot with them. Her description of the wolves’ behavior is fascinating, as well as her admiration for the firstborn wolf, Lamar, who exhibits non-wolf like interests. This is a truly wonderful book for kids who are interested in the natural world, but be aware the story also abounds in examples of the harsh realities of the natural world.
MORE: Middle Grade Books Told from the Animals' Point of View
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher (series) by Dana Alison Levy
This book made me laugh out loud. A family of 2 dads and 4 adopted sons (all together they san several ethnicities and religions) lead a rather disordered and hilarious lifestyle. The boys all have different personalities, which could lend themselves to stereotypes, but thankfully do not. After finishing this book I wanted to move right in to the Fletcher household, if only to try out their DIY hockey rink.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Here's a story that addresses the age-old wish for everlasting life. The Tuck family, having drunk from an enchanted water source have discovered that living forever is not as great as it sounds. Winnie, a 10-year-old girl who decides to run away, meets the Tuck family and discovers their secret. A mysterious Man in the Yellow Suit also discovers the secret and pursues the magical water in search of profit. Winnie must help the Tuck family stay hidden and decide for herself if she wants everlasting life. A beautifully written, classic story.
The Magic Mirror: Concerning a Lonely Princess, a Foundling Girl, a Scheming King and a Pickpocket Squirrel by Susan Hill Long
Find it: Amazon
The Magic Mirror is a mystery full of colorful characters, dastardly villains, intrepid maybe-maybe-not princesses and pickpocketing squirrels so much the better. Maggie, an orphan with a crooked leg, is horrified when her adopted guardian decides to marry her off to a wretched older man with terrible breath and so she decides to pursue a vision she saw in a magic mirror. Several journeys are woven together in the tale, with everyone converging at the end. Fortunately there is a fun map so that readers can follow each party as the travel towards their destination.
MORE: Big List of Adventure Books for Kids
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Annabelle lives comfortably on the family farm in a small Pennsylvanian town. She befriends an unusual but kind man, Toby, a WWI veteran who lives in an abandoned smokehouse behind her family's property. Annabelle's life is thrown into confusion when the mean-spirited Betty moves to the town and begins to bully, first Annabelle, and then Toby. This is a powerful, moving, memorable and complex book about truth, lies, kindness, and community. I read it straight through without putting it down, something that rarely happens these days! Ages 9 and up.
Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins
In Bangladesh, Naimi feels frustrated that she is constantly told she cannot work to earn money for her family because she is a girl. When she accidentally ruins her father’s rickshaw she disguises herself as a boy so she can work, and meets someone who will change her life. The book includes a glossary and an author’s note about micro-finance.
Dahlia says
Hi Erica,
I am sure you have already put out a list, but my 4th grader will soon have to choose a classic or award winning book for her book report. She is a very reluctant reader who just had a nice little triumph in finishing the first Nancy Clancy book. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Erica says
Hi Dahlia,
The ALA has all their award winning books listed here: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal
If she is a reluctant reader, she could try The Whipping Boy, or Sarah Plain and Tall, because they are both short. But any of the books on that list are great!
Iven says
My boy, Daniel says that he loves wonder no matter what and hes in 8th grade and he still loves wonder since 4th grade.
meni says
ohhhh that great my girl Jane shes in 4th grade and she STILL READS MAGIC TREE HOUSE And i was like ok now hon lets stop reading that and read like other books and she says NO mom im not done but like almost about an year she still not done she reads it everyday though....Any suggestions?