Finding chapter books for fourth graders can be enjoyable, as most nine-year-olds are capable readers at this point. While some of them may like to have some images in their chapter books, others can read up to 200-250 pages. This means that there is a wide range of books available to suit every fourth grader’s preferences.
With so many wonderful books available for readers who are looking for comedy, fantasy, or realistic school experiences. There is sure to be something here for every 4th grader who is an inquisitive reader. We hope you enjoy our selection of the 20 best chapter books for 4th graders.
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Chapter Books For 4th Graders Picks
1. Matilda
Although Matilda is an intelligent and remarkable young lady, her parents view her as nothing more than a nuisance. She thought school would be different, but there she had to deal with Miss Trunchbull, a terrifying headmistress who despises children. When the Trunchbull attacks Matilda, she unexpectedly learns that she has the power to telekinetically move objects. To give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves, will require superhuman intellect, and Matilda could be the one to do it! This is a classic book that your 4th grader is sure to love.
2. Wonderstruck
Ben and Rose both feel unfulfilled in their lives and believe that something is missing. Ben yearns to reconnect with his estranged father, and Rose has a recurring dream about an unknown actress. They discover cryptic clues in their mothers’ rooms, prompting them to embark on separate quests for answers.
Ben’s Song features two interwoven tales set fifty years apart, told through Rose’s artwork and Ben’s own words. Their stories are filled with twists and turns that will keep young readers engaged and guessing until the very end. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the connection between the two stories becomes increasingly apparent, leaving readers in awe. Perfect for 4th graders who love a good mystery!
3. Jada Sly, Artist & Spy
Ten-year-old Jada Sly is not your typical youngster. She is an artist with a keen interest in the legendary Jackie Ormes, the first African American cartoonist. When Jada is not delving into Ormes’ work, she is busy jotting down her spy experiences and other observations in her trusty notebook.
Now that Jada is back in her hometown of New York City after spending five years in France, she is eager to embark on her greatest espionage mission to date. Despite the tragic belief that her mother was killed in a plane crash, Jada is determined to scour every corner of the city to find her missing mom. She firmly believes that her mother was also a spy, just like her.
4. Front Desk
Meet Mia Tang, a ten-year-old with a lot on her plate! Instead of a traditional house, she and her immigrant parents live in a hotel where they work hard to make ends meet. Mia may be young, but she’s already running the front desk of the Calivista Motel and dealing with the hotel’s customers while her parents clean the rooms. But, their situation is precarious, and if the hotel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they are living in the empty rooms for free, they could be in trouble. This is a great book that 4th graders may be able to relate to in real life.
5. Indian No More
Since she was ten years old, Regina Petit has only ever known life in the Grand Ronde tribe; her family has always been Umpqua. Her main concern is the possibility that there are Sasquatches in the nearby forest. Regina loses her Indian status overnight, despite the fact that the Bureau of Indian Affairs assigned her an Indian identification number, she lives with her tribe, observes tribal customs, and that her ancestors were Indian for many generations. This happens when the federal government signs a law declaring Regina’s tribe extinct.
In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis’s own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian? Is she American? And will she and her family ever be okay?
6. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Claudia had a very thoughtful strategy before deciding to flee. She would only be gone long enough for her parents to learn the value of Claudia. She would travel in luxury and reside in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because her brother Jamie was a miser, she saved her money and invited him.
Jamie had some solid ideas, and Claudia was a fantastic organizer, so they moved into the museum on time. But when the excitement of moving in had passed, Claudia encountered two unanticipated issues: She felt the same and wanted to feel different, and she spotted a statue at the museum that was so lovely she couldn’t leave until she had learned who it was made by—a mystery that even the experts couldn’t explain.
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was the statue’s previous owner. Without her, Claudia would not have discovered a way to return home.
7. City Spies
The book follows a group of five young people from different countries who use their special abilities to spy in locations that adults can’t reach. The characters are developing their skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, surveillance, and explosives, all while attending a neighborhood boarding school in Scotland.
In this particular story, Sara, one of the City Spies, gets the chance to attend an international youth summit in Paris. Along the way, she must use all her spy skills to stop a rival school from winning a million euros, hang thirty feet off a building, and stop a villain. While doing all of this, she also navigates the complex dynamics of her new team. With non-stop action and thrilling twists and turns, The City Spies is sure to keep fourth graders engaged from start to finish.
8. Gaia Girls Enter the Earth
Being at the end of the academic year made Elizabeth Angier pleased. She anticipated a busy summer working and playing on the family farm with her closest friend Rachel and another close friend – her puppy, Maizey. Elizabeth didn’t expect the Harmony Farms Corporation to settle in her community, though. Her closest friend departs, and her parents begin to talk about farmers selling their property and the potential implications this industrial farm business would have on them. Her world begins to fall apart.
When she feels things can’t possibly get much worse, Gaia, the living embodiment of the Earth, appears. Strange occurrences start to occur to her, all around her, and even through her! Elizabeth learns that responsibility comes along with her newfound skills. This is a great book for 4th graders to learn about responsibility.
9. Katarina Ballerina
Katarina, age 10, is a native New Yorker through and through, yet the energy of the city makes her feel as though she is intended for something more than her typical day-to-day activities. Her greatest fantasy is to attain ballerina prima.
Katarina eventually slips on her first pair of ballet shoes with the assistance of a few new acquaintances, and she is more than determined to make it work. The twirls and spins make her dizzy, her feet don’t quite move the way she would like them to, and her classmates aren’t exactly kind.
When Katarina hears that there will be a competition to get a position in an upcoming international dance camp, she realizes this may be her big opportunity to fulfill her ambitions of becoming a dancer. Does this little dancer possess the necessary qualities to stand out in the crowded world of ballet? This is a great book if your 4th graders love to dance.
10. Shuri: A Black Panther Novel
In this adventure, Shuri is on a mission to save her native country of Wakanda. The Heart-Shaped Herb, which gives the Black Panther his superhuman abilities, is dying, and the Wakandans are desperate to find a solution. But despite their best efforts, the plants continue to perish, and time is running out.
As a princess and a teenager, Shuri is up for the challenge. She sets off on a dangerous journey to uncover the cause of the Herb’s destruction and find a way to save it before it’s too late. Join Shuri on her epic quest and discover the secrets of Wakanda in this thrilling new novel!
11. The Dragonet Prophecy
Clay and his buddies were covertly nurtured by the Talons of Peace to carry out a cryptic prophecy as they grew up beneath a mountain. The five young dragons are meant to put an end to the conflict between the Pyrrhian tribes, but no one is quite sure how.
However, not all dragonets desire a destiny. Clay and his buddies decide to flee when one of their own is in danger. They might be able to escape while also putting a stop to the conflict, or they might risk everything.
12. James and the Giant Peach
James Henry Trotter moves with his two evil aunts, Spiker and Sponge, following the terrible rhinoceros eating of his parents. Before James unintentionally drops some magic crystals by the ancient peach tree and odd things start to happen, life there is not very enjoyable.
The peach at the top of the tree starts to expand, and soon it will reach the size of a home. James makes a lot of giant pals inside, including Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, and more. The fun adventure starts when you cut the stem and the peach starts rolling away!
13. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
When Peter and his younger brother Fudge are in the same place, it feels like too much to handle. Even though adults think Fudge is just adorable, Peter and his pet turtle Dribble know the truth. Fudge always manages to cause chaos, whether it’s throwing tantrums or smearing mashed potatoes all over the walls! Its the perfect for 4th graders.
14. Catherine’s War
A stunning novel that is based on a genuine survival tale, raising timeless issues of a young girl’s coming-of-age experience, identity, passions, and first loves.
Outside of Paris, at the Sèvres Children’s Home, Rachel Cohen found her true calling: photography. She likes the students at her school, adores taking photographs of what she sees, and tries not to worry too much about Hitler’s war despite the fact that she hasn’t heard from her parents in months. But when Nazi-ruled France falls, danger looms, and Rachel is forced to take a new name and go into hiding.
Rachel Cohen must decide whether to leave the Sèvres Home—and the people she met there—behind in her role as Catherine Colin. Catherine, however, has a fantastic camera that has the ability to recall things. Throughout the remainder of the war, Catherine serves as a witness to both her personal experience and the innumerable heroes whose bravery and kindness saved many lives, including her own.
15. Ellie, Engineer
Engineer Ellie is. She creates incredible items in her backyard workshop while wearing a skirt with a tool belt over it (who says you can’t wear a dress and have two kinds of screwdrivers nearby, just in case?). Ellie and her closest buddy Kit are capable of creating anything.
When the girls overhear Kit’s mother discussing her gift—the puppy Kit has always wanted—as Kit’s birthday approaches, Ellie is at a loss for what to create!
Although the two groups don’t get along, Ellie needs the cooperation of the neighborhood guys and crafty females to complete her wonderful doghouse since her ideas have become so intricate. Will Ellie be able to complete her largest undertaking while keeping Kit in the dark?
16. The War that Saved My Life
Ada is a bright 10-year-old girl, but she’s never been outside her tiny apartment because of her twisted foot. Her mother is ashamed of her and doesn’t allow her to leave. But Ada sneaks out with her little brother Jamie when they’re sent away from London during the war.
They end up with Susan Smith, who has to take care of the two children. Ada and Susan start to bond and go on many exciting adventures together. Ada learns to read, ride a pony, and even spot German spies! But will their relationship last through the war, or will Ada and Jamie be forced to return to their mother’s cruelty?
This historical fiction tale is full of action and heartwarming moments that your fourth-grader will adore.
17. The Wild Robot
In this captivating adventure, readers will meet Robot Roz, who awakens alone on a wild island with no memory of how she got there. With no one to help her, she must figure out how to survive on her own. But with the island’s dangerous creatures lurking around every corner, can she make it?
Roz’s determination and adaptability help her build unexpected relationships with the island’s animals, and she begins to feel at home. However, her past soon catches up with her, bringing danger and uncertainty. Will Roz be able to overcome her mysterious past and stay alive? This book is perfect for 4th graders who enjoy thrilling tales of survival and friendship.
18. Frindle
Nick Allen, a creative and mischievous student, always has an idea up his sleeve. He wants to make school more exciting, and he finds the perfect opportunity with his latest scheme: the frindle. Nick discovers that words can be created and changed, and he decides to rename a pen as a frindle. It all starts as harmless fun when he shares the new word with his friends.
But soon enough, everyone in town is using the word frindle, and Nick becomes a local celebrity. His teacher, however, is not pleased and asks him to stop. The problem is, Nick can’t stop it now that the frindle has taken on a life of its own. The situation spirals out of control, and Nick must face the consequences of his actions. Will he be able to handle the fallout from his brilliant idea? A great read for your 4th grader.
19. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
When Callie Tate, an eleven-year-old girl from Texas, notices that the yellow grasshoppers in her backyard are larger than the green ones, she becomes curious. She turns to her notoriously grumpy grandfather, a passionate naturalist, for answers. Her grandpa explains that since the green grasshoppers are more noticeable against the yellow grass, they are more likely to be eaten before they grow bigger.
As Callie navigates the challenges of living with her six brothers and forming a deep bond with her grandfather, she also learns about what it was like to be a girl in the early 1900s. She explores the natural world around her and discovers the wonders of science and the beauty of nature. This fascinating tale is perfect for your 4th grader to learn about the past and the importance of curiosity and exploration.
20. Escape from a Video Game: The Secret of Phantom Island
Escape from a Video Game is a book like no other – it’s a pick-your-own-plot narrative that guarantees endless fun! Your child will be presented with a thrilling story that will require them to use their problem-solving skills and quick thinking to make the right choices and keep the action going.
But that’s not all – once they finish the video game part of the book, they can go back and try to find all of the different endings! And guess what? If they succeed, they will receive a secret code that they can use to unlock an online story. Talk about a two-for-one deal! Your 4th grader will love the non-stop action and twists, and you’ll love that they’re learning to make wise decisions and think critically.
How To Choose Chapter Books For 4th Graders?
- Reading Level: Make sure the book is appropriate for your child’s reading level. If it is too difficult, they will become frustrated and lose interest. If it is too easy, they will become bored.
- Topic: Choose a book with a topic that your child is interested in. If they are passionate about animals, look for books about animal adventures. If they love history, look for books set in different time periods. Additionally, they should be able to comprehend different texts, like biographies, poetry, and fiction (1).
- Format: Chapter books come in different formats, such as graphic novels or traditional novels. Choose the format that you think your child will enjoy most.
- Ask Them: You can always ask your 4th grader what he or she would like to read. This is a great way to let them have some input and to make sure that he or she is interested in the book. By this age, they should be able to describe the theme, character, setting, and point of view in a story (2).
What Is 4th Grade Level Reading?
Fourth-grade level reading refers to the level of reading comprehension expected of a fourth-grade student. This includes being able to understand and analyze the material being read, as well as being able to make inferences and draw conclusions based on what is read. Reading instruction in 4th grade and beyond focuses on developing students’ comprehension and critical thinking abilities, rather than on teaching phonics and reading skills. This shift helps students to better understand and engage with what they read.
How Do I Motivate My 4th Grader To Read?
Here are some ideas for motivating your fourth grader to read:
- Make sure to set aside time each day to read for yourself, and let your child see you enjoying it
- Encourage them to read for fun by letting them choose their own books
- Make reading time special by reading together as a family
- Create a cozy reading nook where they can escape with their favorite books
- Praise their reading accomplishments, no matter how small
