By the time your child is in 4th grade, it’s absolutely vital he or she continue to read at least 20 minutes a day. Did you know that summer learning loss will affect his or her reading comprehension if you skip reading over the summer? So look through this fourth grade reading book list to find the best books for summer vacation that will keep your kid reading.
It’s win-win if you get your kids hooked on a series! Once they get hooked on one book, there’s plenty more to read. You’ll see below that I’ve indicated which books are in a series.
Do you want to know if a book is at your child’s reading level? Since these books are on Amazon, click to preview the book. Ask your child to read 1 random full page of text. If she misses between 1 – 5 words, the book is JUST RIGHT, meaning it’s at her comprehension level. 0 is too easy, which is fine but not all the time. Over 5 means the book is too challenging.
That being said, any books that are too challenging make perfect read alouds. Or, try them on audiobook.
Summer reading programs can be great motivation for your fourth graders. I love programs that give free books as a reward.
Don’t miss this free reading printable for summer as well as a different free summer “Brain Camp” learning printable – it will keep you organized for summer learning.
- ALL book recommendations plus reviews for 4th graders
- 3rd grade summer reading list
- 5th grade summer reading list
- All summer reading lists by grade
- Best activity books for home or travel
- Ultimate Guide to Book Clubs for Kids
4th Grade Reading List (age 9 – 10) for Summer
4th Grade Summer Reading: Fantasy
If your 4th-grade child likes fantasy books, read:
- Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis
- Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
- Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi (graphic novel series)
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan
- The Land of Stories (series) by Chris Colfer
- Dragon Slippers (series) by Jessica Day George
4th Grade Summer Reading: Adventure and Mystery
If your 4th grader likes adventure & mystery stories, they’ll love:
- Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray by Jess Keating
- Survivor Diaries: Avalanche!(series) by Terry Lynn Johnson
- Belly Up (series) by Stuart Gibbs
- Star Scouts (series) by Mike Lawrence (graphic novel)
- The Last Kids on Earth (series) by Max Brallier
- Me, Frida, and the Secret is the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes
- Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston
4th Grade Summer Reading: Realistic
If your 4th grade child likes realistic stories, read:
- Coo by Kaela Noel
- Guts by Raina Telgemeier
- The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
- One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko
- Restart by Gordon Korman
- Click by Kayla Miller
- Hero by Jennifer Li Shotz
4th Grade Summer Reading: Funny
If your 4th-grade child likes funny books, you’ll love:
- Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-O-Mania series)
by Kate McMullan
- The Terrible Two (series) by Mac Barnett and Jory John
- Phoebe and Her Unicorn (series) by Dana Simpson
- The Worst Class Trip Ever (series) by Dave Barry
- Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja (series) by Marcus Emerson
- Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
- Big Nate Welcome to My World (series) by Lincoln Peirce
4th Grade Summer Reading: Historical Fiction Books
If you like historical fiction, you’ll love
- American Girl Mysteries by various
- John Lincoln Clem Civil War Drummer Boy (series) by E.F. Abbott
- Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
- Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood (verse)
- Escape This Book Tombs of Egypt by Bill Doyle, illustrated by Sarah Sax & You
- Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
4th Grade Summer Reading Booklist: Nonfiction
If you like nonfiction, try these books:
- Gross As A Snot Otter: The World of Weird Animals by Jess Keating
- From an Idea to Nike: How Marketing Made Nike a Global Success by Lowey Bundy Sichol
- Rocket to the Moon: Big Ideas That Changed the World by Don Brown
- Beavers: The Superpower Field Guides by Rachel Poliquin
- 2020 National Geographic Almanac
- The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome by Jonathan W. Stokes
- Weird But True! Greek Mythology by Sarah Wassner Flynn
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Best Book Series for 4th Graders
11 Responses
I’d like a printable copy of your fourth grade summer reading list. Thank you!
Can I please get a printable copy of the 2020 Summer 4th grade booklist?
https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4th-grade-summer-reading-list.pdf
Thank you so much, I am trying to get everything on order for summer. I APPRECIATE all your help with our summer reading .
Sincerely,
Lucrecia Alexander
You are so welcome — I hope your child or children spend many wonderful hours reading.
It’s nearly impossible to find knowledgeable people about this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
How about books about sports? Or am I missing them?
My students loved Matt Christopher books. (realistic fiction/sports)
thanks! I’ve never been a big fan so it’s good to know kids are liking them. 🙂
there aren’t many great options — try Matt Christopher’s books maybe?
Mike Lupica books are great sports fiction as well as The Crossover and Booked by Kwame Alexander.