Best Books for 4th Graders

Experience life from the perspective of Ivan, an easygoing gorilla who lives in a mall and hardly ever thinks about his old life in the jungle. But when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, Ivan's art and understanding of his surroundings change. Katherine Applegate's heartwarming and humorous story captures the power of friendship, art, and hope.

This charming children's book follows the adventures of James after he accidentally drops magic crystals near an old peach tree. As the peach atop the tree grows to the size of a house, James crawls inside and meets new friends like the Old-Green-Grasshopper and the Ladybug. After feeling like an outsider in his aunt's house for years, James finally finds a place where he belongs. Join James and his newfound friends in their exciting peach-tastic adventure!

Experience the journey of a young girl, Esperanza, as she goes from living in luxury on a ranch in Mexico to a harsh life of hard labor and financial challenges in California during the Great Depression. Forced to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers, Esperanza faces a lack of acceptance that she's unprepared for. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her circumstances, with Mama's life and her own on the line.

A heartwarming tale of friendship, love, life, and death, this classic children's book is beloved by generations. Written by E.B. White, the author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, the story follows the unlikely friendship between a little pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte. With newly colorized illustrations by acclaimed artist Rosemary Wells, this paperback edition is guaranteed to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

Auggie Pullman is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and he just wants to be treated like any other kid. But as he enters 5th grade, his new classmates struggle to see past his appearance. WONDER, a #1 New York Times bestseller and catalyst for the Choose Kind movement, offers a poignant perspective into one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. Through a variety of perspectives, readers will come away with a greater appreciation for the power of friendship and the simple courage of kindness. Join the movement: #choosekind.

This timeless classic is perfect for lovers of historical fiction and beautiful language. Sarah, Plain and Tall explores themes of abandonment, loss, and love through the eyes of young Anna in the late nineteenth century. When Sarah arrives from Maine to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother, Anna and her brother Caleb anxiously wait to see if she'll be nice, sing, and stay. The 30th Anniversary edition includes author Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery speech, a discussion guide, and a reading list.

The story of a young boy named Harry, who has endured a miserable life with his cruel relatives. All he knows is poverty, bullying, and the feeling of not belonging. But a letter arrives, inviting him to a magical place filled with friends, sports, and endless wonder. With destiny calling, Harry must navigate a dangerous path if he hopes to survive.

A gifted and tender young girl is ignored and mistreated by her parents, but Matilda is not to be underestimated. Bullied by her headmistress, Matilda discovers her extraordinary power to take revenge in this timeless classic from a beloved author.

A robot finds herself stranded on a remote island, with no idea how she got there or what her purpose is. To survive, she must learn to adapt to her wild surroundings and befriend the hostile animal inhabitants. But when her mysterious past catches up with her, she must confront the collision of nature and technology. A heartwarming and action-packed novel by bestselling and award-winning author Peter Brown.

A tale about the power of words and creative thought, this imaginative story follows trouble-making Nick Allen as he invents his own word, "frindle," in a playful attempt to challenge the way we think about language. What starts as innocent wordplay turns into a schoolwide phenomenon, with people across the country adopting Nick's new word. With humor and heart, this award-winning book encourages readers to think outside the box and sparks the wild creativity in all of us.