Fun Summer Reads for Third and Fourth Graders

By Karen Cicero
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These titles for soon-to-be third and fourth graders are so spellbinding they’ll be able to compete with TV, apps, and other distractions. 
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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

Courtesy of Random House Children’s Books

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. 

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El Deafo

Courtesy of Abrams Books 

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. 

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A Snicker of Magic

Courtesy of Scholastic Publishing 

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!

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The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe: Chronicles of Narnia

Courtesy of HarperCollins Children’s Books

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. 

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Clementine, Friend of the Week

Courtesy of Disney Publishing

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.

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The BFG

Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers

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!

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Little House in the Big Woods

Courtesy of HarperCollins Children’s Books

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. 

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Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing

Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers

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.  

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Beezus and Ramona

Courtesy of HarperCollins Children’s Books

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.  

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Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty

Courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

By Nick Bruel

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

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Fun Summer Reading for All Ages

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*Fun Summer Reads for First and Second Graders

*Fun Summer Reads for Fifth and Sixth Graders

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