Fun Summer Reads for Third and Fourth Graders

By Chris Grabenste

It’s Charlie and the Charlie Factory meets Night at the Museum in this suspenseful story about students who have to find their way out of a locked library. 

By Cece Bell

In this graphic-novel memoir, Bell (who called herself El Deafo in childhood) explores what it was like having to navigate first-grade with a hearing aid. Your child will find the dialogue amazingly relatable. 

By Natalie Lloyd

Intricate plots and subplots about a magical town will keep your kid reading. And this book in particular is a great vocabulary booster!

By C.S. Lewis

This story of four siblings who step through a wardrobe to find themselves in a land threatened with an eternal winter by an evil witch will keep your kid in suspense. Watch the movie with your child afterwards, and talk about the similarities and differences. 

By Sara Pennypacker

Kids who like books that delve into school drama will be engrossed in this plot: When it’s the third-graders turn to be line leader and class helper, something goes wrong and threatens Clementine’s friendships.

By Roald Dahl

Suggest your child read it before the Stephen Spielberg-directed movie debuts on July 1. BFG stands for big friendly giant, and his job is to deliver pleasant dreams to a Sophie, an orphan. No spoilers!

By Laura Ingells Wilder

The first book in the Little House series depicts pioneer life for 4-year-old Laura and her family. Ask your child about the problems and solutions that the story portrayed about life in the frontier. 

By Judy Bloom

Remember Fudge, Peter, and Sheila from your childhood? It’ll be cool to see what your kid thinks of these characters, and how the book stands the test of time.  

By Beverly Cleary

School-age kids with preschool or toddler siblings will relate to the squabbles between the two title characters. It’s written from the perspective of 9-year-old Beatrice, aka Beezus.  

By Nick Bruel

Comical black-and-white illustrations add to the hilarity of this tale about a cat that wishes for a special gift.

*Fun Summer Reads for First and Second Graders

*Fun Summer Reads for Fifth and Sixth Graders