Fantastic books for fourth graders also need to be a whole lot of fun. Capturing a reader’s attention is no small feat—your reader needs excitement, intrigue, and hands-on engagement. To help you find those just-right reads, we’re sharing titles that cleverly combine educational and entertaining elements. Here are a few reading adventures they’re sure to love:

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

by Adam Shaughnessy

Classic mythology, meet contemporary mystery-solving. This delightful, race-to-the-finish read is everything we want from a young-reader mystery novel: clever, satisfying, and intriguing to the last page. Packed with Norse and Russian mythology, this fantasy is a major departure from your average middle-school whodunnit—a little bit of genre-blending can go a long way for a budding bookworm!

Pashmina

by Nidhi Chanani

Priyanka has a lot of questions about her family’s past, but her mother refuses to answer them. One day, Pri finds a magical pashmina that transports her to a mysterious world. Is this the key to her family’s history—or something more sinister? This graphic novel is a beautiful story about juggling two cultures. Not only can it mesmerize any young reader, but it’s packed with lessons in empathy and creative inspiration.

The Good Thieves

by Katherine Rundell

It’s 1920s Manhattan. A crooked real estate mogul has stolen Vita’s grandfather’s mansion. But Vita has hatched a plan—break into the mansion, take back what’s rightfully theirs, and expose the villain. With complex emotions of justice, hope, and grief, this enthralling story helps fourth-graders learn more about their world, and develop a love for independent reading.

Write Your Own Story Book

By Louie Stowell

Sometimes all a curious storyteller needs is a springboard! Write Your Own Story Book is a guided workbook to get every rookie wordsmith excited about writing. With whimsical illustration and engaging prompts, readers can channel their inner Shakespeare and learn the foundational skills to go above and beyond as writers.

Copycat Science

By Mike Barfield

Turns out you don’t need impressive gray facial hair to feel like Einstein or Darwin for an afternoon. Grab your lab coats and protective goggles, this graphic novel-style guide lets your reader step into the shoes of famous scientists and recreate experiments at home! This informative, interactive read can help nurture a budding interest in STEM, but comes packed with facts to excite young history buffs, too!

Discover Personalized Picks with Literati Book Clubs

There you have it—a handful of stories that can help fourth graders continue on their reading journey with confidence. While these books are undeniable crowd favorites, the very best books for your child probably won’t come from a list. Literati curates books on an individual basis—Literati readers get a box of books that’s as unique as they are.

With Literati’s personalized kids book clubs, you’ll never have to worry whether your bookshelf is suited to support your child’s progress. Instead, you’ll get a box of books that match their reading level, align to their interests, and expand their love of learning. Take the Literati personalization quiz, and Literati’s curation experts will get to work finding extra-enriching books—stories your child simply won’t want to put down.

The post The Best Books for Fourth Graders appeared first on Literati.

The Okay Witch

by Emma Steinkellner

Middle school means a lot of changes for everybody—but for Moth Hush, it means discovering her wild magical powers and uncovering a dark secret at the heart of her hometown’s history. In the face of all that change, it’s not easy to be a top-notch witch! Sometimes, it’s okay to just be okay.

Emma Steinkellner brings us a lovable protagonist in Moth, a budding young witch. Your magic-loving fourth-grader will adore this illustrated tale about finding family and your inner self.

A Wolf Called Wander

By Rosanne Parry

When rival wolves attack home, Swift is separated from his pack. Will he survive the journey to his new home? Watch your young reader become engrossed with a story of courage that perfectly captures the wonder of nature. Fact-seekers will be very happy here, too: A Wolf Called Wander is based on a true story and includes information and maps of the real wolf’s journey!

Odd Gods

by David Slavin

You may have heard of Zeus, the all-powerful king of Olympus: but what about Mathena, Germes, Puneus, and … Gaseous? In this wacky twist on Greek mythology, we follow Oddonis, son of Zeus. Will he be able to beat his beloved brother Adonis for class president?

Equal parts educational and silly, Odd Gods takes school drama to the next level. As your fourth grader builds their understanding of wordplay and metaphor, they’ll love reading about middle-grade deities with pint-sized powers.

Ungifted

by Gordon Korman

Donovan Curtis has just pulled the biggest prank of his middle school career. This time, he’s certain he’s gone way too far. But thanks to an administrative mix-up, he’s not punished. Instead, he’s sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a special school for gifted students. Full of robot fights, middle school dances, and risky experiments, Ungifted entertains from start to finish—while teaching that everyone has their own gifts to share.

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper

Imagine being the smartest kid in your whole school—maybe even your whole town—but nobody knows it. Your photographic memory allows you to absorb everything you’ve ever seen in high-def detail. Meanwhile, your peers, doctors, and classmates dismiss you completely.
That’s life for 11-year-old Melody, who lives with cerebral palsy. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. This stunning story helps middle-grade readers learn empathy, inclusion, and acceptance, while they get more comfortable with longer dialogue.

Framed!

by James Ponti

Florian Bates is the only 12-year-old on the FBI director’s speed dial—for good reason. Using TOAST, or the Theory of All Small Things, Florian and his friend Margaret have to solve their biggest mystery yet. Can they save the National Gallery from an intimidating crime organization?

Framed! is a must for middle graders enthralled by thrillers. Watch your child eat up this mystery novel like a double-cheese pizza, scarfing it down as quickly as possible to reach the twist ending.

The Last Human

by Lee Bacon

Lee Bacon’s post-apocalyptic middle-grade novel starts from the perspective of a 12-year-old robot (sent to destroy the human race) who’s just discovered the last human on earth. Will he question his original programming and take a risky journey for friendship? Packed with action, laughs, and lessons, The Last Human is one of the best fourth-grade books for budding sci-fi lovers.

The Good Thieves

by Katherine Rundell

It’s 1920s Manhattan. A crooked real estate mogul has stolen Vita’s grandfather’s mansion. But Vita has hatched a plan—break into the mansion, take back what’s rightfully theirs, and expose the villain. With complex emotions of justice, hope, and grief, this enthralling story helps fourth-graders learn more about their world, and develop a love for independent reading.

Liesl & Po

by Lauren Oliver

Liesl is a lonely girl locked in her stepmother’s attic, and her only friend is a ghost named Po. One night, a boy named Will messes up a simple delivery and accidentally causes a cataclysmic magical adventure.

Will’s mistake creates ripples across time and space that reach Liesl and Po, sending the three on an unforgettable adventure. Send your young reader along with them, and enjoy as they discover the magic of a compelling narrative.

Pashmina

by Nidhi Chanani

Priyanka has a lot of questions about her family’s past, but her mother refuses to answer them. One day, Pri finds a magical pashmina that transports her to a mysterious world. Is this the key to her family’s history—or something more sinister? This graphic novel is a beautiful story about juggling two cultures. Not only can it mesmerize any young reader, but it’s packed with lessons in empathy and creative inspiration.

Discover Personalized Book Boxes from Literati

Strong reading skills do more than set kids up for classroom success—they set the stage for a lifelong love of reading. Books allow kids to spread their wings and learn more about themselves and the world we live in.

With Literati kids book clubs, readers can discover books that are perfectly suited to support reading development, and venture into independent reading with confidence. Each box comes filled with vibrant books picked to challenge your reader’s skills and keep their progress on track.

Take the Literati personalization quiz and get your very first box of perfectly-curated picks!

The post Top 10 Books of 2020 for 4th Grade appeared first on Literati.

To reveal the hidden gems of the mystery genre, we put these stories under the magnifying glass. Here are six mystery books that your fourth- or fifth-grade Sherlock-in-training is gonna wanna get to the bottom of—and stat!

Case Closed #1: Mystery in the Mansion

By Lauren Magaziner

Mystery in the Mansion is the first of the Case Closed, choose-your-own-adventure mystery series. Readers can pick their own paths and discover clues and cliffhangers along the way, but stay alert! The stakes are high for Carlos and his friends—he can’t save his mom’s detective agency without our help! By making different decisions and finding out where each path leads, mystery buffs can fortify their understanding of cause and effect.

Framed!

By James Ponti

Framed! centers on a young sleuth who is so good he’s “on the FBI Director’s speed dial.” Think Sherlock Holmes in grade school with a sharp sense of humor—and it’s just the first of the series! We love an independent problem-solver, but the strong friendship at the center of the story makes it a must-read. Plus, the main character’s framework for solving life’s daily mysteries is one that your young reader can keep in their toolbelt, too.

If your special agent is less of a Sherlock and more of a James Bond… Check out Spy School. In this story, Ben Ripley is a case-cracking middle-schooler appointed to a secret arm of the CIA … or so he thinks. (Psst—it’s also the first of a New York Times bestselling series).

Super Puzzletastic Mysteries

by Chris Grabenstein

In this riddling collection, regarded mystery novelists bring their puzzle-producing chops to kids lit. Ready to test your detective skills for real? Brave investigators can try to solve the mystery themselves, then flip to the back of the book to uncover the truth.

With well-known writers at the helm, fourth-graders (and up!) will learn a thing or two about the elements of a great story—who knows, they might even try their hand at writing one!

Secret of the Staircase (Virginia Mysteries #4)

by Steven K. Smith

Mystery with a side of history? Yes, please! Brothers Sam and Derek must get to the bottom of a mysterious wedding mishap at the historic Jefferson Hotel. Despite some thrills and chills, these two brothers have each other’s backs, through thick, thin, and alligators … allegedly.

If historical fiction has them intrigued about real-life mysteries…

We suspect they’ll love Strange but True: 10 of the World’s Greatest Mysteries Explained. It’s got a slew of sneaky, slimy, supernatural stories—but be careful, it’s up to your little detective to stay sharp, and separate fact from fiction.

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

by Adam Shaughnessy

Classic mythology, meet contemporary mystery-solving. This delightful, race-to-the-finish read is everything we want from a young-reader mystery novel: clever, satisfying, and intriguing to the last page.

Packed with Norse and Russian mythology, this fantasy is a major departure from your average middle-school whodunnit—a little bit of genre-blending can go a long way for a budding bookworm!

Literati Book Clubs Solve the Mystery of What Middle-Graders Want to Read

Case closed. These stories are more than clues and cliffhangers—they’re full of pro-level problem solvers who can deduce with the best of ‘em.

We’ve got a hunch that your curious reader won’t want to put these down, but when all the mysteries are solved, there’s plenty more to discover! With a Literati Kids book club subscription, your reader can uncover stories in every genre, with a book box that’s personalized to fit their interests. As their sleuthing (and reading) skills grow stronger, we’ll send books that keep them challenged, learning, and always excited for the next adventure. Take the quiz to get started!

The post The Best Mystery Books for Kids Grades 4-5 appeared first on Literati.

From black holes to robot battles, these Literati kids book club selections will thrill budding scientists. Complex topics, like technological ethics of the future, become approachable (and even fun) with a sprinkle of imagination. Add in a relatable protagonist, and you’ve got every 4th to 6th grader hooked.

Got your seatbelt fastened? Then let’s launch our rockets and explore the best science fiction books for kids ages nine to twelve.

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

by Trudi Trueit

Forget book reports—at Explorer Academy, students are graded on their code-cracking, obstacle coursing, and virtual-reality explorations. But for new pupil Cruz, this elite school has a few more challenges up its sleeves.

With solvable puzzles, Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret is the perfect book for those who need a little brain challenge to stay engaged. Get your young scientist in on the journey, and give them Trudi Truett’s full-throttle adventure.

The Last Human

By Lee Bacon

In robot XR_935’s world, humans are creatures of the past. That is, until the impossible happens: XR discovers a 12-year-old girl—a human girl. Can one human rescue the fate of her entire species? Or is humankind lost for good to its own machinery?

The Last Human is one of the best kids books to stretch imaginations, capturing themes like morality and societal norms. Sprinkles of humor and plenty of action will keep your reader flipping pages like a reading machine!

The Homework Machine

By Dan Gutman

A nerd, a wisecracker, a goody-two-shoes, and a slacker. What could these four possibly have in common?

They all share one secret: the homework machine.

In this cross-clique adventure, the D Squad is on a mission to hide their magical creation (lovingly known as Belch). But as Belch grows in power, the squad races to hide their invention from fellow fifth graders—or worse, their teachers.

In The Homework Machine, it’s a classic humans vs. technology battle. Will the squad be able to control their machine? Or will they lose their special tool… and also their top grades? Your favorite young reader will cackle with every page of this hilarious sci-fi adventure.

George’s Secret Key to the Universe

By Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Who else besides Stephen Hawking could make black holes fun? Strap into your imaginary space shuttle, and soar through George’s Secret Key to the Universe! With the help of a mystical computer, young George and his scientist friends use space-bending portals to explore the great unknown.

Mixing space science with a charming plot, George’s Secret Key to the Universe is the perfect gateway to the cosmos. The combo of Hawking’s deep knowledge and his journalist daughter’s prose keep this book approachable yet utterly fascinating for young astronauts.

EngiNerds

By Jarrett Lerner

Ken, Dan, and their friends are your typical geek squad, or as they prefer to say, the EngiNerds. Dan has a little surprise for his fellow comrades—the robotic invention, Greeeg.

At first, the Greeeg models are a dream come true, but as Ken discovers, this amateur creation has a few bugs and a gigantic appetite! Now, it’s up to the EngiNerds and their robotic skills to destroy these food-blasting creations. Humor, wit, and good ‘ol nerd appreciation fill every page of EngiNerds. It’s one of the best books for fourth graders to laugh and feel at home among fellow science-lovers.

Our Hypothesis? Your Child Will Love Literati Book Clubs

For budding astronauts and engineers alike, these sci-fi books aren’t just filled with imagination and fun (although there’s lots of that). These books can be a fantastic introduction to STEM concepts and help your reader take interest in different science topics! 

Whatever your child is interested in, Literati’s book clubs can bring you the perfect selection—thanks to top-notch curation expertise and a little bit of science. Start with the personalization quiz, and get books picked to match your child’s interests and reading level. Curation adapts as they grow, so no matter your kid’s passion, there’s a read that’ll keep them on the edge of their seats.

Just keep an eye on their experiments going forward, and remind your kid it’s important to program morality into their chore-completing robots!

The post Experiment with Our Favorite Sci-Fi Books for 4th-6th Graders appeared first on Literati.