Fourth graders know what they like, but they’re still willing to give new things a try. a classroom library filled with fun and diverse books will keep them exploring and growing as readers. We looked at tons of fourth grade books and picked 65 of our favorites to share with you. From beautiful picture books and poetry to hilarious tales and heartbreaking coming-of-age stories, you’re sure to find something for every curious reader in your group.
Note: You know your students and their levels of emotional maturity best. Some of these books may be better as read-alouds so you and your children can discuss them together.
You are reading: Picture books for 4th grade
(Just a heads up, weareteachers may get a portion of sales from links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. ari berk night song
a beautiful picture book waiting for a read aloud class. When chiro, a young bat, is sent alone into the night for the first time, his mother gives him sound advice. Navigating the world around you will be easy, as long as you use your common sense. Chiro soon realizes that no matter how far you go, with good sense, you can always find your way back home.
buy it: nightsong on amazon
2. kwame alexander crossover series
In this newbery medal-winning middle grade novel in verse, 12-year-old twins and basketball stars josh and jordan bell must learn to deal with problems on and off the court as they face the homework, first loves, family and, of course, basketball.
buy it: crossover series on amazon
3. echo mountain by lauren wolk
historical fiction at its finest! echo mountain tells the story of ellie, whose family moves to the desert of echo mountain after losing everything in the great depression. When his father gets sick, Ellie has to learn the secrets of the mountain to heal him. this book is a celebration of finding your own path and discovering your true self.
buy it: echo mountain on amazon
4. kelly yang desktop series
This charming series follows the adventures of Mia Tang, who lives in a motel with her immigrant parents. While her parents clean the motel and help other immigrant families, my daughter dreams of being a writer. a timely collection of fourth grade books with a contemporary Chinese twist.
buy it: desktop series on amazon
5. ghost of jason reynolds
ghost, lu, patina, sunny: four kids from different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they collide. but they’re also four kids chosen for an elite high school track team, a team that could qualify them for the junior olympics if they can perform together. they all have a lot to lose, but also a lot to prove, not only to each other, but also to themselves.
buy it: ghost on amazon
6. series spies of the city of james ponti
In this exciting series that Stuart Gibbs called “a must read,” award-winning Edgar James Ponti brings together five children from around the world and transforms them into real-life spies. it’s wonderful for fans of spy school and mrs. smith’s school of espionage for girls.
buy it: city spy series on amazon
7. count me in for varsha bajaj
an uplifting story, told through the alternate voices of two high school students, in which a community speaks out to reject racism.
buy it: count me on amazon
8. tales from a fourth grade nothing by judy blume
The classic tale of nine-year-old peter and his two-year-old brother fudge is frequently cited as the first book that turned children into readers. this makes it an easy option to share with your fourth grade book collection. (check out more of our favorite judy blume books for the classroom!)
buy it: tales of a fourth grade nothing at amazon
9. the evolution of calpurnia tate by jacqueline kelly
In 1899, 11-year-old Calpurnia lives with her grumpy grandfather, six siblings, and a great deal of curiosity about the world around her.
buy it: the evolution of calpurnia tate on amazon
10. the miraculous journey of edward tulane by kate dicamillo
the moving story of a porcelain rabbit who embarks on an extraordinary journey through many lives and ultimately learns the true meaning of love.
buy it: the miraculous journey of edward tulane on amazon
11. i survived the lauren tarshis series
When there’s an action-packed series that kids find super exciting, it’s great that the titles keep coming out. There’s no shortage of edgy moments in these historical fiction adventures.
buy it: i survived the series on amazon
12. brunette girl dreaming by jacqueline woodson
a beautiful collection of poems about the author’s life as a black girl growing up in south carolina and new york in the 1960s and 1970s.
buy it: brunette girl dreaming on amazon
13. becoming muhammad ali by james patterson and kwame alexander
Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a troubled child like any other. Written in prose and verse, the book traces his life from birth to age 17. Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.
buy it: become muhammad ali on amazon
14. when you catch up with me by rebecca stead
a bit of science fiction, a bit of whodunit and a lot of fun. Your students will love this thought-provoking version of a sixth grader who starts receiving anonymous notes that predict the future.
buy it: when you contact me on amazon
15. gold rush girl by avi
Tory, wanting to stay with her father, stowaways on a ship headed west for gold in 1848. Accurate detail and high suspense make this a vivid and absorbing historical adventure for your collection of books. fourth grade books.
buy it: gold rush girl on amazon
16. walk two moons by sharon creech
hiddle’s newbery award-winning story of a 13-year-old girl who embarks on a road trip with her eccentric grandparents and finds the answers her heart longs for.
buy it: walk two moons on amazon
17. jean merrill’s toothpaste millionaire
Rufus and Kate, sixth graders, develop and sell toothpaste to become millionaires in just one year. This fun and light-hearted story features many real-life math problems that the characters must solve to succeed in their fledgling business.
buy it: the toothpaste millionaire on amazon
18. shuri: a black panther novel by nic stone
Add this to your list of fourth grade books for students who love the Marvel Universe. This story, written by award-winning author Nic Stone, takes readers on an adventure with Shuri, the younger sister of T’Challa (also known as the Black Panther).
buy it: shuri: a black panther novel on amazon
19. bears on hemlock mountain by alice dalgliesh
a quick and fun historical fiction story about a young man who discovers that, contrary to what he has been told throughout his life, there are definitely bears on hemlock mountain.
buy it: bears on hemlock mountain on amazon
20. tomorrowland by pam muñoz ryan
a beautifully written fantasy novel about a young man who embarks on a dangerous quest. This book, written by the author of Rising Hope, is sure to be loved by your fourth graders.
buy it: tomorrowland on amazon
21. jerry craft’s new kid
See Also: 9 Best Books on Forgiveness & Letting Go (to Read in 2022)
Winner of the newbery medal, the coretta scott king author award, and the kirkus literature award for young readers, new kid is a graphic novel about the struggles of being the new kid in school.
buy it: new kid on amazon
22. matilda by roald dahl
Introduce your fourth graders to characters they’ll never forget. The story of Matilda, the Trunchbull and Miss Honey is a delight to read aloud or to have students discover the story for themselves.
buy it: matilda on amazon
23. weird little robots by caroline crimi
When two science-savvy girls create an entire robotic world, they don’t expect the robots to come to life. but life can be a little more magical than they thought.
buy it: weird little robots on amazon
24. jerry pinkney’s little mermaid
this is not disney or hans christian andersen’s original! Jerry Pinkney’s stunning update of a classic tale stars a main character of color and has affirming themes of friendship, family, and identity.
buy it: the little mermaid on amazon
25. love of matt de la peña
This poignant title is ageless, but we especially love how it can get fourth graders talking more deeply about a complex topic.
buy it: love on amazon
26. bringing back the wolves: how a predator restored an ecosystem by jude isabella
This book is a scientific unit in itself! In systematic sections, it explores what happened when the wolves disappeared and then returned to Yellowstone National Park. Build children’s understanding of vocabulary about relationships within an ecosystem with this memorable real-world story.
buy it: bring back the wolves on amazon
27. two truths and a lie books by ammi-joan paquette and laurie ann thompson
make discussions on responsible research practices memorable and fun. This groundbreaking series asks readers to separate fact from fiction into short sections ideal for classroom discussion.
buy it: two truths and a lie books on amazon
28. pumpkin falls mysteries by heather frederick vogel
These stories follow the adventures of Truly Lovejoy, a young woman whose family moved from Texas to a small town in New Hampshire to take over her family’s century-old bookstore. Left largely to her own resources, she actually finds herself chasing clues found in ancient books.
buy it: pumpkin falls mysteries on amazon
29. peace by sara pennypacker
Inducted into the long list of national book awards, this heartwarming story follows the growing pains of a relationship between a boy and his fox.
buy it: pax on amazon
30. dragons on a series of bags by zetta elliott
Want to breathe new life into your classroom library? try this diverse, young and urban fantasy series. The action-packed series begins in Dragons in a Bag, when Jaxon discovers that the bad old lady next door is a witch who asks for her help in bringing baby dragons to a magical world where they’ll be safe.
buy it: dragons in a bag series on amazon
31. jumanji by chris van allsburg
some of your students may have seen the old movie based on this classic book. others may have seen the new versions. Introduce your entire class to the book that started it all.
buy it: jumanji on amazon
32. sound: shhh… bang… pop… boom! by roman romanyshyn and andriy lesiv
here is a perfect example of art in informative writing. a neon color scheme and tons of visual features give readers an introduction to the topic of sound. share as part of a science unit on sound or just to help students improve their nonfiction writing.
buy it: sound: shhh… bang… pop… boom! on amazon
33. she was the first! the pioneer life of shirley chisholm by katheryn russell-brown
This biography recounts the bold accomplishments of the first black person to run for president as a major party candidate. Though short in stature, Shirley Chisholm was a strong and influential leader and advocate who had a lasting impact. Your students of her deserve to be inspired by her!
buy it: she was the first! on amazon
34. can i touch your hair poems of race, mistakes and friendship by irene latham and charles waters
When an unlikely couple works on a poetry project together, they think they have nothing in common. the effective back-and-forth format will get kids thinking.
buy it: can I touch your hair? on amazon
35. out of wonder: poems celebrating the poets of kwame alexander, chris colderley, and marjory goingworth
Award winning authors Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Goworth have compiled this collection of poems that celebrate the poets who have touched their lives and influenced their work.
buy it: by surprise on amazon
36. im trying to love math by bethany barton
After compelling arguments heralding bees and spiders in her previous titles, Bethany Barton uses her powers of persuasion to demonstrate the wide scope, usefulness, and genius of mathematics. he reads this to quell any complaints about the relevance of mathematics in the real world.
buy it: i’m trying to love math on amazon
37. a crazy summer by rita williams-garcia
This multi-award winner is a classic story for high school students. Three sisters learn about family ties and the importance of racial identity when they travel to California to visit their long-lost mother.
buy it: a crazy summer on amazon
38. stop by go collect $200: the true story of how monopoly was invented by tanya lee stone
is a history lesson from a completely unique angle. this is our new favorite narrative nonfiction mentor text. Of course, after reading, you’ll need to bring out the board game during indoor recess or invite your students to design their own.
buy it: stop by go and collect $200 at amazon
39. between the lines: how ernie barnes went from the football field to the art gallery by sandra neil wallace
This is not your typical biography of an athlete. everyone thought that ernie barnes should play professional football, but he never gave up his dream of being an artist.
buy it: between the lines on amazon
40. So High Inside: The Traveler’s Long Walk of Truth to Freedom by Gary D. schmidt
Introduce students to this fascinating and influential woman who worked tirelessly to fight racial and gender inequality.
buy it: so high inside on amazon
41. Freedom Flight: The Wetzel Family’s Audacious Escape from East Germany by Kristen Fulton
a family secretly builds a hot air balloon to cross the berlin wall at night. This compelling story is a perfectly sized slice of history to captivate students. The information provided about the actual construction of the hot air balloon, both in the text and in the extensive material above, could also spark interesting conversations about the design process.
buy it: freedom flight on amazon
42. the girl who drew butterflies: how maria merian’s art changed science by joyce sidman
maria merian was a brave and passionate scientist who was ahead of her time. This beautifully written and illustrated chapter book biography offers plenty of opportunity for discussion.
buy it: the girl who drew butterflies on amazon
43. marley dias gets it: and so do you! by marley dias
See Also: Anne Tyler – Book Series In Order
marley dias, creator of the #1000blackgirlbooks movement, is an amazing role model for teaching kids about activism.
buy it: marley dias does it: and so do you! on amazon
44. bat citizens: defending the ninjas of the night by rob laidlaw
excellent nonfiction challenges readers’ thinking with a clear focus. this fascinating title on bat conservation does just that.
buy it: bat citizens on amazon
45. 2030: a day in the life of tomorrow’s children by amy zuckerman and james daly
From cool new gadgets to thoughtful discussions of how environmental change could affect the way we do things in the future, this easy-to-read book is great for the futurists in your classroom.
buy it: 2030: a day in the life of tomorrow’s children at amazon
46. brian floca locomotive
A Caldecott Award-winning look at riding America’s first transcontinental railroad in 1869. The pages come to life with the details of the journey and the sounds, speed and power of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of traveling from the plains to the mountains to the ocean.
buy it: locomotive on amazon
47. also by tahereh mafi
Inspired by her childhood love of books like A Secret Garden and The Chronicles of Narnia, bestselling author Tahereh Mafi creates a mesmerizing new world where color is common, adventure is inevitable, and friendship is found everywhere. the most unexpected places.
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buy it: also on amazon
48. mighty jack series by ben hatke
Kids love the intense action and adventure in this modern three-part take on Jack and the Beanstalk from a fan-favorite graphic novelist.
buy it: mighty jack series on amazon
49. sanity and tallulah by molly brooks
This sci-fi graphic novel is so much fun. bffs cordity and tallulah struggle to contain an overzealous three-headed kitty before he wreaks havoc on his home space station. the cast of diverse and admirable female characters is “out of this world”.
buy it: sanity and tallulah on amazon
50. multi-author maker comic series
These graphic novel riffs on procedural text are great for hooking reluctant readers or simply expanding kids’ understanding of informational text. With a host of engaging topics, from baking to creating costumes to repairing cars to building robots, there’s something to suit every interest in these fourth grade books.
buy it: comic creator on amazon
51. clean getaway by nic stone
The story of an 11-year-old boy and his grandmother’s offbeat road trip has many levels. the story includes tons of background on the civil rights era without preaching.
buy it: clean getaway on amazon
52. katherine applegate’s only bob
finally! This sequel to the fan favorite, the one and only Ivan, does not disappoint. ivan’s funny canine friend bob is equally appealing as a main character, especially to dog lovers, teachers and kids alike!
shop it: the only bob on amazon
53. the most nervous girl in the world by melissa wiley
pearl lives on a cattle and ostrich ranch and dreams of following in her brothers’ footsteps as a stuntman in silent movies. This historical fiction title is packed with fun and energy, and is great for learning about a narrator’s voice.
buy it: the most nervous girl in the world on amazon
54. on these magical shores by yamile saied méndez
When Minerva’s mom doesn’t come home from her night shift, Minerva takes care of her younger sisters. In the midst of great uncertainty, unexplained events bring some comfort. This Peter Pan spinoff overlays magical thinking with real themes of resilience, responsibility, and family ties. is a fantastic class discussion novel or one to add to a fourth grade book list to propel independent readers toward deeper understanding.
buy it: on these magical shores on amazon
55. cake in the sky by remy lai
jingwen has a lot to do between her recent move to australia and her father’s death, but there’s still plenty of humor in this highly readable self-voiced graphic novel. It will particularly resonate with ell students and those who have had to navigate a move to a new place.
buy it: pie in the sky on amazon
56. step forward, maria singh for uma krishnaswami
Part sports novel, part WWII-era historical fiction, with a heavy dose of girl power, readers will cheer Maria on.
buy it: step up, maria singh on amazon
57. merci suárez changes gears for meg medina
This story of a young Latina student trying to find her place in the world cuts to the heart of the turmoil and constant change that defines high school and the unbreakable connection that defines family.
buy it: merci suarez changes gears on amazon
58. sharon creech moo
a wonderful story for those looking to add a mix of prose and poetry to their fourth grade library of books. When Reena moves her family to Maine, the last thing she expects is to have to work hard on a farm and strike up an unlikely friendship with a cranky cow named Zora.
buy it: moo on amazon
59. beautiful blue world by suzanne lafleur
A heartwarming story of two friends who are trapped in a world ravaged by war. when the army starts recruiting kids, will mathilde lose her best friend megs?
buy it: beautiful blue world on amazon
60. jennifer weiner’s smallest big foot
the fantastic story of a girl who finds friendship in the most unlikely of companions: a young member of the bigfoot clan.
buy it: smallest bigfoot on amazon
61. parker’s legacy by varian johnson
This acclaimed title is the best classroom read aloud option for fourth grade books. The puzzle will grab kids’ attention, but the historical context of the end of segregation offers plenty of compelling discussion.
buy it: parker heritage on amazon
62. sweep: the story of a girl and her monster of a girl by jonathan auxier
We’re predicting it here: it’s going to become a new classic for kids. is a fable starring a young chimney sweep during the Victorian era who encounters tragic circumstances, but the themes of friendship, acceptance and resilience are timeless. if she has sensitive kids, preview it before reading aloud.
buy it: sweep: the story of a girl and her monster on amazon
63. a wolf named wander by rosanne parry
Based on information gathered by the real tracked wolf, or-7, this tale of a young wolf separated from his pack is a stunning tribute to both the power of family and animal instinct. Read it aloud, then add extra copies to your fourth grade book stack for students who want to reread it on their own.
buy it: a wolf called wander on amazon
64. indian no more by charlene willing mcmanis and traci sorell
when the us As the government passes a law declassifying her family’s tribe, Regina must grapple with difficult questions about what that means for her identity: is she Indian, American, or both? Rooted in the author’s own experiences, this discussion-worthy novel is ideal for advanced readers or as a read-aloud in class.
buy it: indian no more on amazon
65. we’re not from here by geoff rodkey
This book asks students to imagine that they were sent to a completely different planet where they were the outcasts. when it happens to the main character, the situations range from funny to potentially dangerous, but the overall message is timely and intended to make students think. And isn’t that what the best fourth grade books do?
buy it: we are not from here at amazon
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Also, check out our other elementary grade level book lists:
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best kindergarten books
best first grade books
best second grade books
best 3rd grade books
best 5th grade books
See Also: 6 Great Childrens Books That Teach Safety Lessons | Child Safe Kit
