Books to Read to a 4th Grade Class

When I look back on my own elementary days (so very long ago), I can't think what books my teacher read out loud to us, with i exception: My fourth course teacher, Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson read us the best books, and he always stopped at the most heady function, with all of usa begging for more than. He read u.s. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and and then I had to read the whole Narnia series. We traveled across the tundra with Julie, ran away from the the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Claudia, and learned lessons the hard way with JD and His Brother Tom. Looking dorsum, I can see that Mr. Watson selected his books carefully. All were neat literature, of course. But, in improver, most were part of a series, or at the very to the lowest degree from a prolific author and then that we could find more to read. I am fairly sure that I have Mr. Watson to thank for my life-long beloved of reading.

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What can yous read to delight and inspire your students?

Then, this all leads to the question, what can you read to delight and inspire your students? I asked this question on Facebook and had over 80 responses! Hither is a list of their suggestions (forth with a few comments from me). To find out more, click on the book title to go to Amazon (please notation that these are affiliate links, which means I make a few cents from anything you lot purchase, but the price is still the same for you whether you lot use my link or not).

Chapter BOOKS

Sideways Stories from the Wayside School by Louis Sachar
"I ever start the year with my 3rd graders with Sideways Stories from Wayside School."-Lynne Billiard

There'due south a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar
"Beginning of the twelvemonth I always read,There'southward a Boy in the Girl'southward Bathroom; information technology lends itself to so many dissimilar discussion topics. I warn the kids from the commencement that I will cry, happens EVERY year."  -Stacy Hancock Barnett

"My quaternary graders loved it. One of the characters does a major change in the story (from a bully to learning to get forth with others). It was a great conversation piece for the kids." -Betsy Steele

"I love to read There'south a Male child in the Girls' Bath; I weep every time I read information technology because of the hope and assertive in a kid's ability to change." -Georgia Koepke

► I likewise am a huge fan of this book (and I also cry every time), so much so that I did an entire mail service on information technology, which yous tin can read here.

Holes by Louis Sachar

"I as well read Holes because I remember it it'southward one out they virtually brilliantly constructed books ever written for kids." -Georgia Koepke"This is a great book to teach/model many reading strategies: inference, flashback, compare/contrast… Information technology also has two unlikely heroes, which students love to read nearly and relate to." -Brian Wiltgen

► If you read this and would like to compare information technology to the movie, yous tin can find a gratis Book vs. Movie printable here.

Frindle by Andrew Clements
"Frindle…my college professor read it to our lit class when it outset came out. It is nonetheless i of my favorite read alouds ever. Dear Nicholas Allen!" -Angie Richter Lowry

"Frindle – kids tin make a difference." -Christina Allen

My 3rd graders also went bananas for this book! We extended it by making up our own words.

No Talking by Andrew Clements
"No Talking by Andrew Clements. I read it to my quaternary graders; they love the story of the most talkingest 5th grade class ever that i day goes silent as the students have a boys vs. girls no talking contest. Information technology is peachy fun and opens interesting and of import conversations virtually doing what's right, apologizing when needed, and friendship." -Brenda Ronnebaum

"There were also days when the kids were a little crazy that we would read Double Trouble in Walla Walla by Andrew Clements. Information technology's the story of a daughter who gets sent to the principal'south part when she tin can't terminate speaking double-talk. It turns into a fun-filled mouthful that leaves the kids laughing and the reader breathless!" -Jennifer Cramer Armour

"I exercise a Roald Dahl author study with my 3rd graders. I claw them with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We also acquire how chocolate is fabricated and play Wonka BINGO. So we read James and the Giant Peach and Matilda . I love to read stories where kids are heroes. You could even read The Twits , The Witches , and The BFG . What a great author!" -Melanie Stubbs-Kight

"I love TheWitches past Roald Dahl….love using grapheme voices, and information technology starts the students off on a beloved of my favorite author." -Deanna Blaccoreni

"My 4th-sters loved the suspense in each affiliate! It's a long book, merely the writer does an amazing task in developing and describing the characters. The visualization opportunities are fantastic!" -Melissa Broadbent McNamara

The Watsons become to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
"TheWatsons become to Birminghamis also fantastic! Great for using when discussing the ceremonious rights movement." -Leah Fick McCollum

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
"My fifth graders looooved information technology. Even my not-readers couldn't put it down. It also leads to many dandy conversations." -Leah Fick McCollum

After Hamelin past Pecker Richardson
"In fifth grade, a little after in the year, I love After Hamelin by Beak Richardson. It continues the Pied Piper story, and is good for multiple time settings, inferences, and fun!" -Debbie Sauer

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM past Robert C. O'Brien
"I teach 3rd and have many favorites – the one the kids love the most is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH . I love when they start to connect things that are happening and beg me not to stop reading. I similar that it describes things that are happening and the kids have to figure things out. I as well like that it is an one-time volume, and no kid in all my teaching has ever picked information technology out to read on their own. Every year the kids tell me it is their favorite." -Sherie Republic of malta

Argent Crown by Robert O'Brien
"Silverish Crownpast Robert O'Brien…wonderful characters, very suspenseful with a lot of twists…all my 5th graders say it was the best book of the twelvemonth. Not sure I would become younger!" -Faith Siegrist

"Poppy past Avi…the imagery that is created by his descriptive writing is a nifty springboard for learning!" -Lesley Finley Hutton

"Poppy past Avi-It encompasses a stiff female person lead graphic symbol who is a mouse. This story includes a strong story line, amazing characters, each of which represents unlike traits, and an opportunity to study an amazing author and his techniques. And, most importantly, it has Ereth, the most lovable porcupine ever!!!" -Julie Slocum Santello

"Because of Winn-Dixie past Kate DiCamillo. I beloved how the characters have flaws and problems but are able to overcome them and piece of work together to become friends. Opal learns that friends tin come up in all shapes and sizes and are there for you when you lot to the lowest degree expect information technology. Wonderfully written book!" -Robin Klein

"Considering of Winn Dixie was a class favorite last year when I taught a multiage third/4th course class. Information technology was a beautiful story near friendship and credence." -Elissa Weiss Kriesman

"I effort to finish upwardly the year with Because of Winn-Dixie. We love to create images and practise so many other reading strategies with it." -Jamie Walters

"Considering of Winn-Dixie is one I read every year! It has peachy characters, and the students seem to always dearest the story. It'due south a personal favorite of mine." -Taliha Gipson

"There are and so many themes, merely the greatest one is about loneliness and making friends. Students tin create their acme 10 things about themselves or someone special in their lives. We ordinarily watch the motion picture afterward in the year and apply a Venn diagram to compare the book and the movie. I as well inquire students to compare how they pictured characters in their heads while reading with how they were portrayed in the moving picture. They love it!" -Joy Penner

"If you lot want to address bullying, Because of Mr. Terrupt is amazing. It is virtually a quaternary grade class, but I used it in eye schoolhouse. As well, annihilation past Peg Kehret because she is reader friendly, but intense. Firegirl is also great." -Becky Askin

"AWESOME!!!! Mr. Terupt is a new teacher to the school and to the 5th grade grade…his teaching techniques are unique but inspiring…in that location is a bully, geeks, repose boy, ane that hates school, and then tragedy strikes…and the 5th graders have to use all that they have been learning from this instructor to become through this…Read it first…yous need to know what happens before you read it aloud!!! Ane of the All-time books I have ever read…non even equally a kid'due south book." -Stacy Hindin Stark

Top Ten Ways to Ruin the Starting time Day of School by Kenneth Derby
"The students love the adventures of TB every bit he tried to get on the David Letterman Testify. Information technology is full of laughs and an easy read." -Janice Edgar

Where the Cerise Fern Growsby Wilson Rawls
"I love to read Where the Cherry-red Fern Grows – I utilise it in the 2d semester as we are discussing figurative language. It is besides practiced to use for instruction diverse emotions readers become through while reading the book. My quaternary graders love it. Nosotros laugh and weep all the way through the volume." -Shannon Hickok Bong

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
"Number the Stars is my favorite book. We always start the year reading that book. I take a classroom set, though, then it may non exactly exist a read aloud, because sometimes they read to me. It provides opportunities for grade discussions. I am as well able to contain quite a few unlike skills into our discussions (context clues, primary idea, sequencing, etc.) For some reason each year information technology seems to be the favorite among the majority of my students. We read lots of historical fiction, but they seem to specially get into this time in history and all that was happening in different parts of the world. Without all the fabulous language arts skills I weave into it, the story is just an incredible story of bravery, courage, sacrifice, and friendship." -Mindy Tripp

► This is also a favorite of mine, though I have used it for reading groups rather than read aloud.

"I honey readingGooney Bird Greene to my fifth graders. There is vivid vocabulary throughout, which ties in nicely when I explain that students need to do the same affair to spice up their writing." -Asher Richmond

Touching Spirit Acquit by Ben Mikaelsen

"A favorite with both my 3rd graders and the fifth graders I accept taught isTouching Spirit Bear past Ben Mikaelsen. The kids are very focused on everything bad that has happened to this 'older' boy, and they watch how hard he has to struggle to brand changes in himself, his life, and his family, no matter how difficult life treats him. It is a great book for watching how a grapheme grows and changes. Best read toward the end of tertiary grade or higher." -Amy Brannon

Storm Runners past Roland Smith
"I teach 5th grade. I began last year with the chapter book Storm Runnersby Roland Smith. Information technology is so exciting and really grabs the attention of my boy readers with its stiff male person graphic symbol and my girls with its brave and confident female character. I love the book, and my students beg for me to keep the series (three total books). Information technology's a slap-up fashion to innovate kids to a fabulous writer and start them with a thrilling series!" -Jen Kiger McElroy

"I always read Tales of a Fourth Course Nada at the beginning of the yr. My fourth graders love the characters, especially Fudge and his antics!" -Marianna DiPietro Wentz

"I love reading Tales of Fourth Course Nothing, just a funny read and the kids can ever relate." -Marla Rattner

"I've always read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nil to start the year with my fourth graders….this year I figured I would use this book to launch the reading workshop, reading response logs, etc. The kids love Fudge and his antics!" -Lesley Taylor

"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. The main graphic symbol is a china rabbit who learns to love. My quaternary graders beg me to keep reading." -Shannon Cassevah Smith

"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Di Camillo is outstanding. Nifty for character written report and how a character changes over fourth dimension. Cute book!" -Sandy Bayha Bajczuk

"My Side of the Mount, by Jean Craighead George. We would read this story before nosotros went on our almanac fourth class camping trip. It'south a coming-of-age story about a boy who leaves his home to alive and survive on his own in the mountains." -Jennifer Cramer Armour

"The all-time book for boys is My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. A real adventure with a beautiful ending." -Olivia Wolfe

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
"This book is so beautifully written, with many characteristics woven through it, similar trust, friendship, acceptance, and love. The author does a wonderful job!!" -Jody Lynne Billiard

Charlotte'due south Web past  E.B. White
"Charlotte'due south Web. There'southward no other book similar it to teach my fourth graders about friendship." -Liz Silva Luebke

Harry Potter and the Magician's Rock by J.1000. Rowling
"For sheer fun and fantasy, Harry Potter and the Wizard'southward Rock! Invariably, many of my students pick up the next books in the series afterwards we read this ane!" -Liz Silva Luebke

Starting School with an Enemy by Elisa Carbone
"Starting School with an Enemy – perfect for 5th graders, and it talks almost how getting even can create even more than trouble." -Rebecca Cox

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
"I love A Serial of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I take read it to third graders and 4th graders, and they are immediately hooked! It is written on a sixth or 7th grade level, but information technology has a lot of rich vocabulary and sophisticated sense of humor. I model thinking aloud, introduce new words, and brand predictions based on foreshadowing clues. I highly recommend the series!" -Jenifer Watson Stewart

Granny by Anthony Horowitz
I have read Granny by Anthony Horowitz to my x-,eleven-, and 12-year-olds. They love it, and it has some first-class character description in it that I utilise as models when pedagogy character writing. Annihilation past Anthony Horowitz is peachy really.

Thank Yous, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
"Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. This volume lets kids know that anyone can overcome obstacles. I love that the teacher 'saves' the kid and helps her value herself. Sometimes our students feel that they have to go on things subconscious, but this volume shows how others can aid, when they know the problem." -Edna Armstrong

"Thank You, Mr. Falker is great for awareness of bullying and the forcefulness by the main grapheme (surprise ending). I besides love The Junkyard Wonders  to bear witness teamwork and variety. I also dearest to read stories from  Chicken Soup for the Kid'south Soul or Preteen's Soul …they are perfect for read-aloud time." -Sonja Gillend McGinnis

Fourth Class Rats by Jerry Spinelli
"4th Form Rats past Jerry Spinelli. I use it at the first of the year to necktie in with showing good graphic symbol." -Jamie Walters

"I love to read Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinneli. It has such a skilful theme, and the kids absolutely love information technology. It is something that every educatee can relate to in one mode or another." -Jill Burkhart Slocum

"Fourth Course Rats by J. Spinelli because it gets the class laughing and sends a slap-up message all at the same time!" -Chrissy Rene

Skeleton Creek by Patricia Carman
"I like to read Skeleton Creek to my form. They dearest, beloved, love the videos that get with the volume. I chose this book because at that place are 3 more books in the series, and I like integration with engineering science, and so do my students."
-Hazel Wiley Lochhaas

Island (serial) by Gordon Korman
"I read the Gordon Korman series, Island, at the beginning of the twelvemonth because information technology really grabs the kids, and it is perfect for character and author's technique. At that place really is a purpose for each of the characters, and it opens upwardly smashing discussions. :)" -Crystal Brooks Merrifield

The Boxcar Children past Gertrude Chandler Warner
"My kids love The Boxcar Children. It hooks them to the residue of the series. The look on their faces when THEY know about the grandfather and the children don't still is then precious." -Debbi Wilson Watson

"The Phantom Tollbooth. The author uses language in the most interesting ways. I use it for discussion about language and for vocabulary." -Missy Gaston

► If you have missed this archetype volume, be certain to give it a attempt…such a brilliant concept!

Fig Pudding past Ralph Fletcher
"It is a peachy story and a great springboard for talking most traditions, differences between families, and loss. The discussions based on the book are countless. The kids honey it. I have made copies of specific text and events in the story to use during reading workshop for independent reading conferences. The kids are so familiar with the text that I recycle information technology all yr long. After this we always read Flight Solo." -Rande Siper

"There are 11 books, and nosotros started the first one in March (I never read the unabridged series – – but this one doesn't tie things upwards at the stop.) By mid-May several students in my class had purchased more in the series for summer reading." -Sally Wright

"The Cracking Gilly Hopkins is a great graphic symbol study for my fifth graders. Her boldness and tough spirit is something anybody can connect with in fifth grade, and and then the kids larn from her moment of change." -Marcia Reidy Barrio

"My students hang off their seats and love the residuum of the series!!! It is an splendid mystery, chance, and story of friendship! I admittedly honey information technology." -Lily McDonald Page

"It is about a boy that does some funny things." -Carla Terrian

Danger in the Desert past T.S Fields
"Every chapter ends with them wanting more. It's and so exciting to run into the kids go into the story." -Stacy Ward

"I am reading When You Reach Me past Rebecca Stead to my 5th graders. Takes a few chapters to become started, but now they are constantly request me to read more. Love to have them practice character traits and predictions with this book." -Bonita French

This is besides a fun ane for those of us who were kids in the 70s.

"I Dearest to read Leon and the Spitting Image because the voice of Miss Hagmeier is way too fun! The kids dear the magical elements mixed into regular school life." -Erica Bradford

In one case by Morris Gleitzman

"For grade 5s I read Morris Gleitzmans Once, Then, and Now – about World State of war 2 from a child's perspective. Serious but with low-cal relief. Kids dearest the excellent characters!" -Cindy Townsend

"Another ane that I like, because I teach Ancient Greece, is called Walking with the Expressionless by LM Falcone. The kids loved it this yr when I read it." -Marla Rattner

"Henry Winkler books–gotta honey Hank Zipser! The main character has learning difficulties merely is ever trying new ways to overcome things! Hysterical!" -Meg Lakotos Basker

"The All-time Christmas Pageant E'er; it magically holds the attention of boys and girls, and it'due south both funny and touching!" -Yvette Lewis

"At Christmas I love to read the story A Christmas Sonataby Gary Paulsen (4-5 graders). It's a story of a special Christmas in 1943 that restores a hope and belief of Santa." -Jennifer Cramer Armour

The Day My Butt Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths
"I had a class that loved gross sense of humour. So, we read some of The Twenty-four hour period My Butt Went Psycho. I laughed then hard that I cried!" -Charlotte Tyson Jones

Film BOOKS

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
"I love reiterating to my students that information technology is OK to exist themselves no matter what others think. I even painted stripes on my face for Read Aloud Day." – Demarian Hall

"Information technology's just such an first-class book to use as a metaphor for life. Information technology has many lessons well-nigh feeling lost, feeling lonely, winning, losing, and just well-nigh finding your feet and living your ain life." -Rich Games for Learning

"I can't read it without crying. This is an African tale that lends itself nicely to the topic of kindness." -Judi Donald Cantrell

"Miss Rumphius is the first volume I read to my students. I think the bulletin that our job is to brand the world a more beautiful place is the almost important lesson I teach." -Linda Hinds Helper

"My favorite is Mr. Peabody's Apples past Madonna. I dear it because of the moral in the story about not assertive everything you meet and hear and how hard it is to disengage impairment that you crusade by spreading tales. The art is gorgeous in this book, too." -Jennifer Ratliff Sullivan

"Mr. Peabody's Apples because information technology talks about the power of words." -Denise Mazzarisi Dirlik

Take Y'all Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
"Because information technology likewise talks most words. Each of united states has a bucket, and we make full ours if we practise something dainty, while filling another's bucket. We also empty ours when we do something wrong." -Denise Mazzarisi Dirlik

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Hither are some more you might desire to check out:

"I recommend books by Eve Bunting – picture books with intermediate themes similar: How Many Days to America? (immigration), Fly Away Dwelling  (living homeless in an drome), Smoky Night  (LA riots), The Wall  (Vietnam memorial), etc." -Nancy Loberg Reinhiller

"Also any new Brian Selznick books, like WonderStruckand The Invention of Hugo Cabret . They are AMAZING!" -Marcia Reidy Barrio

"I also have to mention Adeline Meteor by Mary Pope Osborne; Organized religion and the Electric Dogs and We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes , both by Patrick Jennings; and Bud, Non Buddy past Christopher Paul Curtis. Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper is a MUST read; my 3rd graders LOVED information technology! And my most favorite, if I had to choose ane, is The Underneath by Kathy Appelt, an incredibly powerful volume!" -Jody Lynne Billiard

" Rock Play a joke on is wonderful for 3rd course. I also similar to read an A to Z Mystery to introduce that serial of books. Last twelvemonth I read Earthquake Terror , and even though information technology was a flake scary, the kids really liked it." -Monica Horn

"Corking 'everybody' books for read aloud: Llama Llama Ruddy Pajama , The Recess Queen , Fortunately , No Such Affair every bit Dragons , I Wish I was Sick, As well . My fourth graders have thoroughly enjoyed the short reads. Cull Your Own Adventure books make for good read alouds, likewise as encouraging mutual decision making. Sisters Grimm serial , Amidst the Subconscious …or any Margaret Peterson Haddix book, for that affair! Beverly Cleary, Andrew Clements, Mo Willems, Lemony Snicket. The Graveyard Book , T he Blackness Book of Secrets, Horns and Wrinkles, Catwings, BFG, Walk 2 Moons, The Very Deplorable Story of Betty O'Dare, Stargirl, The Volume of Story Ancestry, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, My Side of the Mount, Hatchet, Bunnicula, Noisy Nora, Expect Till Helen Comes, Tikki Tikki Tembo, My Cracking Aunt Arizona, The Book Thief, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle …. And then many wonderful books!" -April Dawn Davidson

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