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Recommended 4th Grade Reading List

Home Recommended Reading Lists Recommended 4th Grade Reading List
Best Fourth Grade Reading List Ever

The 4th grade reading list includes books with unfamiliar words to help students develop word identification strategies. Other 4th grade reading goals include emphases on increasing reading comprehension, literary analysis, vocabulary, and improved grammar. Skip straight to the recommended 4th grade reading list.

Fourth grade can be a fun time for your budding readers. This is the year students will expand upon the reading concepts they learned in grade three. In grade four, students deepen their use and understanding of the English language. This includes an increase in both oral and written presentations.

An Overview of Fourth Grade Reading

Reading curriculum for the fourth grade goes a bit beyond just reading. Lessons throughout the year will also concentrate on writing, speaking and grammar. Together, these lessons help the student understand how to use reading as research in order to create their own presentations.

The writing process is also emphasized in the fourth grade. By the end of the year, students should be able to read informational texts, understand their meaning, and use the information to create original written assignments consisting of multiple paragraphs.

Reading Goals for the Fourth Grade

  1. Improved Word Recognition

By now, your child should be able to read age-appropriate multi-chapter books on their own. They should have plenty of exposure by now to a wide variety of reading materials including literary works, informational text and more. Fourth grade is a time to expose them to an even wider world of reading.

This means they’re likely to encounter unfamiliar words. Throughout the year, the fourth grade curriculum is geared towards developing word identification strategies. These include:

  • Understanding graphophonic, syntactic and semantic word identification strategies
  • Using reference materials including dictionaries, thesauruses and glossaries
  • Using root words, prefixes and suffixes to infer word meanings
  1. Increased Reading Comprehension

Beyond individual words, students will start to analyze written material as a whole. This includes understanding the difference between fact and opinion, recognizing point of view and becoming proficient in how to use information taken from text.

These comprehension strategies include the ability to:

  • read for difference purposes (reading to gather information, reading for fun, etc.)
  • summarize major plot points
  • understand the order of events in a story, as well as understand how to identify missing items in an event sequence
  • re-read a passage quickly by locating key words in order to answer specific questions about the text
  • differentiate between facts and opinion
  • understand authorial intent
  1. Expanded Literary Analysis

Fourth grade students are now capable of understanding and experiencing different types of text. In third grade, the concentration was on myths, tall tales and contemporary fiction with a clear moral lesson. In fourth grade, texts become more sophisticated while still retaining some of those lessons. The main goal is to provide an easily identifiable subtext which fourth graders can understand.

The recommended fourth grade reading list includes books in the following genres:

  • Fiction: novels, legends, myths, folklore, sci-fi, fantasy
  • Non-fiction: informational books, autobiographies, diaries and journals
  • Poetry: formal haiku, limerick, stanzas
  • Drama: plays, short skits

As students are exposed to more types of text, they’ll also learn the characteristics of a variety of genres. Fourth graders are capable of recognizing the basic conventions of fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography. Advanced students may also expand that list to include fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, fables, legends, myths, historical fiction and more. As a homeschool teacher, you have a lot of leeway in selecting text which appeals to your child.

  1. Increased Vocabulary

As your child begins to read and write in a variety of styles his or her vocabulary will likely increase naturally. You want to help this process with a variety of vocabulary instruction. As the year continues, you want to help your student:

  • Understand the difference between synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and homophones
  • Determine the correct meaning of homonyms based on context
  • Increase the overall number of recognized words
  1. Improved Grammar and Usage

By the end of fourth grade, students should have a pretty good grip on a lot of Standard English conventions. This includes a basic understanding of:

  • Pronouns
  • Subject consistency
  • Subject/verb tense consistency
  • Verb tense consistency

4th Grade Reading List

While third grade does emphasize correct spelling and punctuation, these lessons are also important in fourth grade. This year students will also learn about correct capitalization. This includes capitalization inside sentences as well as the proper use of capitalization for magazines, newspapers, composition titles, organizations and more.

Are you searching for a 4th grade reading list to supplement your child’s other studies? Here are some recommended books for fourth grade students.

We included a list of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and classic novels that you may even remember reading when you were younger. If you missed them as a kid, you may still enjoy them now.

Click on the story name link for a book description and reviews from Amazon if you want to learn more.

Contemporary Fiction

These are multi-chapter books in a variety of genres. Your fourth grader will be able to follow these stories, but they also contain words which will be unfamiliar. This provides great opportunities for your student to learn new words contextually.


How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay (The Tia Lola Stories) by Julia Alvarez


Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Origami Yoda 1) by Tom Angleberger


The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney


Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth


Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea


Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements


Hate That Cat: A Novel by Sharon Creech


The Lemonade War (The Lemonade War Series) by Jacqueline Davies


Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre


The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo


The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Complete Series by Tony DiTerlizzi


Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier


Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos


The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman


When Mules Flew on Magnolia Street by Angela Johnson


Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1 by Jeff Kinney


Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai


Dumpling Days (A Pacy Lin Novel) by Grace Lin


Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look


Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look


Rain Reign (Ala Notable Children’s Books. Middle Readers) by Ann M. Martin


11 Birthdays: A Wish Novel (Willow Falls) by Wendy Mass


Shiloh (The Shiloh Quartet) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


Wonder by R.J. Palacio


Big Nate Triple Play Box Set: Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, Big Nate Strikes Again, Big Nate on a Roll by Lincoln Peirce


Becoming Naomi León (Scholastic Gold) by Pam Muñoz Ryan


The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13) by Lemony Snicket


Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli


No Girls Allowed (Dogs Okay) (Secrets of a Lab Rat Book 1) by Trudi Trueit


The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods


Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Informational Books

These non-fiction books are a great way to introduce a variety of new subjects to your student. They’ll gain an even stronger grasp on how to learn by reading.


Millions, Billions, & Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers by David A. Adler


Bugged: How Insects Changed History by Sarah Albee


Shimmer & Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life by Jim Arnosky


Buried Beneath Us: Discovering the Ancient Cities of the Americas by Anthony Aveni


Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth by Molly Bang

Dinosaurs in Your Backyard: The Coolest, Scariest Creatures Ever Found in the USA! by Hugh Brewster

Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns

Haunted Histories: Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons, and Powerful Palaces by J. H. Everett


Locomotive (Caldecott Medal Book) by Brian Floca

The Wolves Are Back by Jean Craighead George

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work by Steve Jenkins

The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery (Sandra Markle’s Science Discoveries) by Sandra Markle

Remember: The Journey to School Integration (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)) by Toni Morrison

National Geographic Readers: Polar Bears by Laura Marsh

How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships by Robin Page

Volcano Rising by Elizabeth Rusch

Discovering Black America: From the Age of Exploration to the Twenty-First Century by Linda Tarrant-Reid

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards)) by Duncan Tonatiuh

Insect Detective: Read and Wonder by Steve Voake

Fantasy/Science Fiction

The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (The Secrets of Droon, Book 1) by Tony Abbott

Jinx by Sage Blackwood

Dragon Castle by Joshep Bruchac

The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm, Book 1) by Michael Buckley

How to Train Your Dragon: How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III) by Cressida Cowell

Half Magic by Edward Eager

The Dream Stealer by Sid Fleischman

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

Warriors Power of Three Box Set Volumes 1 to 6 by Erin Hunter

A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet) by Madeleine L’Engle

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

The New Kid at School (Dragon Slayers’ Academy, No. 1) by Kate McMullan

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

The True Meaning of Smekday (Movie Tie-In Edition) by Adam Rex

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere, Vol. 1) by Jacqueline West

City of Fire (City Trilogy) by Laurance Yep

[City of Ice (City Trilogy)] [Author: Laurence Yep] [July, 2012] by Laurance Yep

Historical Fiction

American Girl – History Mystery series:

Hoofbeats of Danger (Mysteries Through Time) by Holly Hughes

The Night Flyers (Mysteries Through Time) by Elizabeth McDavid Jones

American Girl (History Mysteries) 1-3 by Sarah Masters Buckey

Voices at Whisper Bend (Mysteries Through Time) by Katherine Ayers

Farmer Boy: Full Color Edition (Little House) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Fighting Ground by Avi

Journey to Freedom by Courni C. Wright

Night Journeys by Avi

The Orphans’ Journey series by Arleta Richardson:

Looking for Home (Orphan’s Journey) – Book one

Whistle-Stop West (The Orphans’ Journey Series) – Book two

Prairie Homestead (The Orphans’ Journey Series) – Book three

Sarah, Plain and Tall – by Patricia MacLachlan

The Whispering Cloth: A Refugee’s Story by Pegi Deitz Shea

General Fiction


Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit is a Common Core “Text Exemplar” for the fourth grade reading level.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)
A Secret Garden is a Common Core “Text Exemplar” for the fourth grade reading level that just celebrated its 100th anniversary. This edition is illustrated by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a Common Core “Text Exemplar” for the fourth grade reading level. Great examples of poetry and imaginative fiction which are sure to make most children laugh! Some of the poems are pure silliness. This can be a great book to read and then watch the movies that are based on it.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, can be read just for the enjoyment of the story but is even more interesting when discussing the different motives of the adults and the lessons from the book. This is a read the book then watch the movie selection. Our youngest enjoyed the recently published graphic novel series of the same name that uphold the philosophy of the original in a format that appeals to younger readers.

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley is a Common Core “Text Exemplar” for the fourth grade reading level. Read the book then watch the movie!

Gentle Ben (Puffin Modern Classics) by Walt Morey

Hang Tough, Paul Mather (A Harper Trophy Book) by Alfred Slote

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk’s Secret (Mandie 1-5) by Lois Gladys Leppard

Mandie and the Abandoned Mine (Mandie, Book 8)

Mandie and the Fiery Rescue (Mandie, Book 21)

Mandie and the Ghost Bandits (Mandie, Book 3)

Mandie and the Forbidden Attic (Mandie, Book 4)

Mandie and the Schoolhouse’s Secret (Mandie, Book 26)

Mandie and the Cherokee Legend (Mandie, Book 2)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Paint Brush Kid (Stepping Stone, paper) by Clyde Robert Bulla

Song of the Trees (Logan Family Saga) by Mildred D. Taylor

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardner

The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne

General NonFiction

The Astronomy Book: Study Guide (Wonders of Creation) by Dr. Jonathan Henry

Dinosaurs by Design by Duane T. Gish

From Sea to Shining Sea for Children: Discovering God’s Plan for America in Her First Half-Century of Independence, 1787-1837 by Peter Marshall & David Manuel

The Light and the Glory for Children : Discovering God’s Plan for America from Christopher Columbus to George Washington by Peter Marshall & David Manuel

Sounding Forth the Trumpet for Children by Peter Marshall & David Manuel

The Weather Book: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to the USA’s Weather by Michael Oard

Poetry

The Echoing Green, by William Blake is listed as a Common Core “Text Exemplar” for the fourth grade reading level. Search for it on YouTube (also spelled “Ecchoing Green”) and find your favorite version. For aspiring song writers: there’s a young woman who wrote her own music to the poem and recorded it for others to watch.

All God’s Children: A Book of Prayers by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Cricket Never Does: A Collection of Haiku and Tanka by Myra Livingston

Hand in Hand: An American History Through Poetry collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins

The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems edited by Michael Harrison & Christopher Stuart-Clark

Poetry in the Holy Bible: Psalms 1, 8, 23, 24, 46, 91, 100, 119:1-8, 121, 150

Poem Stew (Harper Trophy Book) by William Cole, Harper Collins

Poems for Youth by E. Dickenson. Little, Brown, & Co.

Click here to see recommended books for other grade levels…

Conclusion

Fourth grade is a very exciting time. Your child can now understand more complicated forms of storytelling. The stories you and your child read together are likely going to be equally entertaining to both of you! While you’ll still want to read aloud to your child, this year you’ll also want to encourage your fourth grader to read to you. Fourth grade also includes accompanying lessons on story structure, grammar and genres. Overall, fourth grade is the year where your child gains a deeper understanding of the various types of texts and how they can create a more well-rounded individual.

Just a note to let you know that we do not receive any compensation from publishers or authors for placement of any books listed here. However, we may receive a commission for purchases made through affiliate links.

Click here to see recommendations for other grades and age level.

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