Teacher Recommended: Fourth Grade Books

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Your independent readers are learning about history, their own state, and immersing themselves in character driven novels. The best place to find titles that your fourth graders will love is from teachers throughout the country that have read a variety of these amazing titles. Check out these teacher recommended books for 4th grade for your elementary readers!

Teacher Recommended Fourth Grade Books:

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Introduce your readers to an author they will adore. The first book in the Fudge series tells the incredible tale of Peter Hatcher and his terrible-two brother, Fudge. It’s almost a right-of-passage to read this novel in fourth grade. Share it with boys and girls alike in your class.

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell

Upper elementary kids love to read about middle school kids. It’s just around the corner for them! Nikki Maxwell is the main character in the Dork Diaries series. Middle schooler Nikki writes about all the drama and fun in her preteen years. The novel is complete with cute drawings and fun characters. Think Diary of a Wimpy Kid with a female protagonist.

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!
by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sol Linero

Fourth grade is a time for studying state history, and this book gives extraordinary text features including maps and moments for each of the 50 states. Whether you integrate this text into your social studies curriculum or just include on your shelf as a nonfiction choice book, your fourth graders will love the engaging images and exciting facts from this 50 states book.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer

The first time I read The Phantom Tollbooth was in fourth grade. The book, published in 1961, is still fascinating young readers with the story of Milo and his adventures. Teach this book to your class as a great way to introduce word play and irony.

Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene

Another old school series your students will love is Keene’s stories of the teen detective, Nancy Drew. Her stories have been retold and updated, but nothing is like the original books! This more than 80-year old series has definitely stood the test of time.

My Favorite Books for Fourth Graders:

The books above are great fun, but I tend to lean more towards the classics as favorites for my kids. Following are some of the books I love to give to my fourth graders.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Bambi by Felix Salten

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene de Bois

Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

The abundance of books for your fourth graders can be overwhelming. There are so many amazing fiction and nonfiction texts. Narrow down your favorites with these teacher recommended books for 4th grade!

See My Other Book Lists:

First Grade Books
Second Grade Books
Third Grade Books 
Must-Read Classics
Books for Tween Boys
Books for Tween Girls