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George Bernard Shaw said, “Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.”
One of the best and truest ways to inspire a deep love of reading in young readers is to provide them with great books that you genuinely love. Classic children’s books are a perfect choice, as they have stood the test of time and continue to captivate readers across generations.
Fourth graders are at the age where they can move into chapter books and novels, and the books on this list reflect stories that leave lasting impressions.
A great book can leave an impression on a child that will stay with them their whole life. Here is a list of our favorite books for 4th graders that will do just that.
As your child grows into more complex stories, our guide to the best chapter books for kids offers even more page-turners that will keep them hooked.
Classic Books for Fourth Graders
1. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
Charlotte’s Web is a charming book for kids and adults alike, with lessons about friendship and death that are timeless in their themes.
2. Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain)
This classic novel tells a timeless story of Tom’s adventures with his friends in St Petersburg, Missouri. The book offers lessons about the power of friendship, loyalty, and honesty.
3. Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster)
This classic children’s story is about a bored little boy named Milo who finds a mysterious tollbooth in his room that transports him to adventures beyond his wildest imagination.
4. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
The Little Prince is a small but mighty book that tells the story of a little prince who leaves his home to explore the world. The book was initially published in 1943 and has been translated into over 180 languages since then.
Beyond these classics, discover additional recommended reading for kids that matches your child’s interests and abilities.
5. Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
The Chronicles of Narnia follows four kids on a quest in an enchanted world to defeat the evil White Witch. They discover courage, friendship, and loyalty along the way.
Fourth graders ready for more challenging reading collections will benefit from our broader recommendations for children’s books by age group.
6. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Judy Blume)
Set in New York City, this humorous story follows fourth-grader Peter as he navigates life with his mischievous younger brother Fudge, delivering laughs and lessons on growing up.
7. Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)
Black Beauty, set in 1800s England, tells the life story of a horse through his own eyes, sharing his journey from birth to old age while teaching lessons on kindness, responsibility, and resilience.
For even more timeless reads, explore our list of books every kid should read before middle school to help your child build a library of unforgettable stories.
8. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
Little Women follows sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they come of age during the American Civil War, facing real-life challenges and defying society’s expectations for women.
9. Magic Treehouse (Mary Pope Osborne)
The Magic Treehouse follows siblings Jack and Annie on adventures. Your fourth grader will learn how to overcome fears and why you should not judge someone based on appearances alone.
10. Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)
Roald Dahl’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory follows poor but hopeful Charlie Bucket, whose life changes when he finds a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s magical factory, offering lessons on greed, morality, and true happiness.
11. A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle)
Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time follows Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin on a journey through time and space to rescue Meg’s father, using love and intelligence to battle evil.
12. Stuart Little (E.B. White)
E.B. White’s Stuart Little tells the adventures of a brave, kind-hearted mouse growing up in New York City, as he navigates family, friendship, and new experiences while learning empathy and good decision-making.
13. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone (J.K. Rowling)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone introduces young readers to Harry Potter, a boy who discovers he’s a famous wizard. It’s a story of overcoming obstacles and facing the unknown, with exciting twists and turns around every corner.
Fourth graders ready to explore different genres might also enjoy children’s horror books that offer age-appropriate thrills while developing their reading skills and courage.
14. The Secret Garden (Frances Burnett)
Written in 1911, The Secret Garden follows spoiled Mary Lennox, who, after being orphaned in India, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing in a hidden garden.
15. Brown Girl Dreaming (Jacqueline Woodson)
Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming tells, through vivid poems, her story of growing up as a Black girl in the 1960s and 70s, navigating identity amid Jim Crow’s legacy and the rise of the Civil Rights movement.
16. James & The Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)
James and the Giant Peach follows orphaned James as he escapes his cruel aunts and embarks on magical, sometimes perilous adventures inside a giant peach with a cast of unforgettable insect friends.
17. The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
The Wind in the Willows follows Mole, Rat, Badger, and the spirited Toad in the English countryside as they share adventures, face challenges, and band together to save Toad Hall from weasels.
18. The Boxcar Children (Gertrude Warner)
The Boxcar Children follows four orphaned siblings who make a home in an abandoned boxcar before moving in with their grandfather, using it as a playhouse while solving mysteries and embarking on adventures.
19. The One & Only Ivan (Katherine Applegate)
The One and Only Ivan tells the story of a captive gorilla who has spent 27 years in a mall enclosure, until meeting Ruby, a baby elephant, changes his view of home, art, and friendship.
20. Number The Stars (Lois Lowry)
Number the Stars follows ten-year-old Annemarie as her family helps the Danish Resistance smuggle Jews to safety during WWII, showing acts of heroism and courage in the face of danger.
21. Esperanza Rising (Pam Muñoz Ryan)
Esperanza Rising tells the story of a privileged Mexican girl whose life is upended during the Great Depression, forcing her to face hardship and find strength when her mother falls ill.
22. The Mouse & The Motorcycle (Beverly Cleary)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a 1965 children’s novel about Ralph S. Mouse, a mouse who can speak to humans.
23. Sarah Plain & Tall (Patricia MacLachlan)
“Sarah Plain & Tall” is a story about coping with change, told from young Anna’s point of view, set in the late nineteenth century.
24. Beezus and Ramona (Beverly Cleary)
Beverly Cleary’s Beezus and Ramona humorously captures the ups and downs of sisterhood through the misadventures of 9-year-old Beatrice and her spirited 4-year-old sister, Ramona.
25. Prairie Lotus (Linda Sue Park)
Prairie Lotus is a powerful and touching book about half-Asian girl in middle America determined to fit in and realize her dreams of getting an education and making friends.
26. Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor)
Set in Mississippi during the Great Depression, this book is an unflinching portrait of family and self-worth.
27. Otherwise Known as Sheila The Great (Judy Blume)
Published in 1972, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great follows Sheila Tubman on a summer adventure where she faces her fears, makes new friends, and discovers more about herself.
28. Ramona (Beverly Cleary)
Another wacky chapter book focused on Beatrice Quimby, 9, and her 4 year old sister Ramona. This book is best for ages 6-12.
29. Mary Poppins (Pamela Lyndon Travers)
Mary Poppins tells the story of a magical nanny whose arrival at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane transforms life for the Banks family with days full of wonder and make-believe.
30. Peter Pan (James Matthew Barrie)
Peter Pan is the enchanting 1911 book about a mischievous boy who refuses to grow up.
31. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 English children’s novel about a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole and into a whimsical fantasy world.
32. Matilda (Roald Dahl)
Roald Dahl’s Matilda follows a brilliant and kind young girl unappreciated by her parents, showcasing her wit, courage, and love of learning in the face of neglect.
33. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
Published in 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is a classic fantasy that begins the journey through Middle-earth, serving as the prelude to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
34. The Never Ending Story (Michael Ende)
In The Never Ending Story, Bastian discovers a magical book that draws him into the world of Fantastica, where he becomes a character in the adventure himself.
35. The Babysitter’s Club (Ann M. Martin)
The Babysitter’s Club follows a group of friends running their own babysitting business, now available in both the classic novels and graphic novel adaptations.
36. The Giver (Lois Lowry)
Published in 1993, The Giver is a young adult dystopian novel about a seemingly perfect society that hides dark and unsettling truths.
37. Nancy Drew (Carolyn Keene)
Nancy Drew is the classic master series that follows a fictional sleuth character on a series of mysterious adventures.
38. The Hardy Boys (Franklin W. Dixon)
The Hardy Boys is a classic mystery and adventure series with a group of boys as the main characters.
39. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L Frank Baum)
Published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is hailed as “America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale,” remaining a timeless classic in both literature and film.
40. A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
This catchy series takes readers on – you guessed it – a series of unfortunate events for three recently orphaned siblings.
41. Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams)
The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of a toy bunny so loved by his owner that he becomes real, teaching children about love’s power and the importance of letting go.
42. Pippi Longstocking (Astrid Lindgren)
Pippi Longstocking follows a spirited, independent girl with upside-down braids whose funny adventures have charmed children for generations.
43. The Incredible Journey (Sheila Burnford)
This heartwarming story follows a cat and two dogs who journey hundreds of miles to find their human family.
44. The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank)
This classic book is the actual diary of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis during World War II.
45. The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle)
Follow the adventures of the world’s most well-known sleuth in this classic series.
46. A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
A Christmas Carol is the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by ghosts of his past.
47. The Story of Dr. Dolittle (Hugh Lofting)
The Story of Dr. Dolittle is a magical story about John Dolittle and the crew of animals he befriends.
48. Wonder (R.J. Palacio)
Wonder is a powerful, tear-jerking story about a boy with a disfigured face.
49. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney)
First published in 2007, Diary of a Wimpy Kid follows Greg Heffley, his best friend Rowley, and his family through the humorous ups and downs of middle school life.
50. Where the Sidewalk Ends (Shel Silverstein)
This classic collection of poetry is both hilarious and profound. It’s a perfect introduction to poetry for fourth graders.
More poetry books for 4th graders:
- The Light in the Attic (Shel Silverstein)
- Poems to Learn by Heart (Caroline Kennedy)
- Words With Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art (Nikki Grimes)
- Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons (Joseph Bruchac)
- Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymed (Roald Dahl)
We hope you loved this list of the best 4th grade books as much as we love compiling it!
Reading classic literature together is a great way to spend quality time with your kids. The benefits of reading with them are endless, and we wish you many cozy moments reading together this year.
What other classic chapter books for kids should we add to this list?
Email us at hello@mkewithkids.com.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
