Need a 5th-grade summer reading list? These books for your kids, ages 10 or 11, are organized by genres so that they can explore something in every category.
Let kids choose from the list! Why? Because book choice is key to ownership and motivation.
All book reviews and recommendations for 10-year-olds.
It’s worth mentioning that these books are great for other grade levels, too. If you want other book lists of easier or harder book lists, go here: Summer Reading List for 4th Grade, Summer Reading List for 6th Grade. See ALL grade levels here.
Summer reading programs can be a great motivation for your fifth graders. I especially 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.
5th Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 10 – 11)
Fantasy Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like fantasy and sci-fi, you’ll love:
- Race to the Sun (series) by Rebecca Roanhorse
- Legacy and the Queen (series) by Annie Matthew, created by Kobe Bryant
- Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows (series) by Ryan Calejo
- Amari and the Night Brothers (series) by B.B. Alston
- The Serpent’s Secret (series) by Sayantani Dasgupta
- Masterminds (series) by Gordon Korman
Adventure Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like adventures, you’ll love
- Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Le (graphic novel)
- Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (series) by Stuart Gibb
- Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret (series) by Trudi Trueit
- Alone by Megan E Freeman
- Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (series) by Chris Grabenstein
Mystery Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like mysteries, you’ll love:
- Space Case (series) by Stuart Gibbs
- Framed! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery (series) by James Ponti
- The Screaming Staircase (series) by Jonathan Stroud
- Nooks and Crannies by Jessica Lawson
- The Frame-Up by Wendy McLeod MacKnight
- The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery (series) by
Historical Fiction Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like historical fiction, you’ll love
- A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
- Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
- Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
- Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee
- Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland (graphic novel)
- Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis (graphic novel)
- The War That Saved My Life (series) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Realistic Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like realistic fiction, try reading:
- Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte (graphic novel)
- Roll with It by Jamie Sumner
- Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
- Unteachables by Gordon Korman
- No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen
- New Kid by Jerry Craft (graphic novel)
- Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Humor Summer Reading for 5th Grade
If you like funny, you’ll laugh your way through these books:
- Origami Yoda (series) by Tom Angleberger
- Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life (series) by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
- The Worst Class Trip Ever (series) by Dave Barry
- The Last Kids on Earth (series) by Max Brallier
- Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
- The Last Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles
Animals
If you like animal stories, you’ll love:
- The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
- Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable (graphic novel)
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
- Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer (series) by Kelly Jones
- A Whale in the Wild by Rosanne Parry
Nonfiction
What about NONFICTION? Here are some great choices:
- Accidental Archeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee
- Two Truths and a Lie by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
- So You Want to Be a Ninja? by Bruno Vincent
- Almanac 2021 National Geographic Kids
- The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome by Jonathan Stokes
- Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith (graphic novel)
Don’t forget to find ways to make reading FUN!
Participate in a summer reading program.
Read with a headlamp in bed.
Read on an electronic device. (Free eBooks?)
Start a book club.
Reward reading with . . . more BOOKS! (Kids choose, of course.)
Read nonfiction books and graphic novels, too.
Even More Book Suggestions for Your 5th Graders:
–> More Book Recommendations Plus REVIEWS for 5th Graders
Summer Reading List for 6th Grade
Brain Camp Summer Learning Printable
If you have a reluctant reader, you’ll want to take this 10-day email course! Go here to learn more.
You Might Also Like:
Best Book Series for 5th Grade
14 Responses
I love your lists! They have been so helpful in finding books for my 11 year old, reluctant reader! Thank you so much!
YAY! It makes me so happy to know this. You are very welcome. 🙂
Hello this is a nice resource to have but I was looking more for classic books recommended for my son’s age 10yo? I’m I missing a list somewhere?
I don’t have a list like that but my friend, Erica at What Do We Do All Day does here: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/classic-books-for-tweens/.
I could not find a printable Summer Reading List for fifth grade, and I really like what you have for the other grade levels. I am the librarian for a private school, and I would love to share your lists with my students.
thank you so much for pointing that out — it’s fixed. Here’s the link: https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list-2.pdf
I agree. I love the books lists and would like to share with the families at my school; however, I am unable to find printable lists for many of the grades. Only Pre-K, 1st, and 4th are working for me.
Sorry about that — my forms aren’t working. Do you want all of the grade level lists? I am happy to email them to you.
Hello! Love your site and the resources it provides for myself (with my own children) and for my school. I tried the 5th grade link above and it says “page not found.” Is there another link to try? Thanks for sharing!
try https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list-2.pdf
You have the BEST book lists. I know I can trust your decisions and they’ll make every member of my family happy. Whether we’re listening to them on audio books or reading together. They’re great!
thank you!
I have read the book The One and Only Ivan with my class it is an amazing book for children.
agreed!