The Best Chapter Books for Fourth Graders Ages 9–10

Fourth grade is such a delightful time. Most kids are getting to be pretty fluent readers and can now manage a much wider array of books.

There are tons of fantastic titles available to these more advanced readers, whether they’re looking for humor, fantasy, or realistic school stories.

These 17 books are all home runs!

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

by Chanel Miller

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Magnolia Wu spends summer helping out at her family’s laundromat, where she has pinned forgotten socks to a bulletin board. With the help of a new friend, she sets out to return the lost socks to their owners, uncovering unexpected stories along the way. Warm, funny, and full of community spirit, this charming novel celebrates friendship, curiosity, and the connections that bring people together.

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Roar

by Varsha Bajaj

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Thirst comes a moving story about a courageous boy’s love for animals. Rohan is excited to spend the summer with his grandparents in India, near a tiger sanctuary. But when multiple threats arise against the magnificent creatures, Rohan must do everything in his power to help protect the animals.

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Redwall Series

by Brian Jacques

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Welcome to Redwall Abbey, where mice, badgers, and other woodland creatures live peacefully — until a fearsome rat named Cluny threatens their home. Young Matthias dreams of being a hero, and he may get his chance sooner than he expected. This fantasy classic delivers epic battles, memorable characters, and a richly imagined world that has captivated readers for generations.

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Aku: Journey to Ibra

by Micah Johnson, illustrated by Durk van der Meer

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When Aku finds a strange-looking space helmet in his basement, it transports him to a planet embroiled in conflict. There, Aku and his friends make some unexpected alliances, join the fight to save the planet, and search for Aku’s missing grandfather. This high-stakes, action-packed sci-fi adventure will have fourth graders flying through the pages.

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Sweet Valley Twins Series

by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre

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Graphic novels are an excellent choice for readers of all ages, and this series is a favorite among young readers. Join Elizabeth and Jessica as they make a new friend named Mary, who promises to help them with a project. However, the twins become increasingly suspicious that Mary is trying to steal their mom away!

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Montgomery Bonbon Series

by Alasdaire Becket-King, illustrated by Claire Powell

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Kids who love humor and mysteries will devour all four volumes in this delightful series. Whether at a museum or on the high seas, 10-year-old Montgomery Bonbon tackles each murder mystery dressed in her signature red coat and bristly mustache. Each book is jam-packed with laugh-out-loud moments and a head-scratching mystery that young readers will find irresistible.

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Matilda

by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Sarah Walsh

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The story of young Matilda discovering her (literal) power and finding where she belongs is an all-time classic that no budding reader should miss. This deluxe edition features vibrant illustrations throughout for a new enchanted audience.

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Weird Little Robots

by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

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New to town, 11-year-old Penny Rose has only the robots she creates to call friends — until she makes a very real, very best friend in fellow science-lover Lark. With a touch of magic, the friends’ weird little robot world comes alive in this charming story about friendship and problem-solving.

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Furthermore

by Tahereh Mafi

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Alice lives in Ferenwood, where everything is neat and tidy and sensical (besides the fact that the sun sometimes rains). Missing her father, who disappeared with nothing but a ruler in hand, Alice embarks on a quest through the mystifying land of Furthermore, where everything’s turned on its head. Author Tahereh Mafi’s inspirations — The Secret Garden and The Chronicles of Narnia — shine through in this imaginative, captivating book.

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The Smartest Kid in the Universe

by Chris Grabenstein

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Oh, boy. Twelve-year-old Jake is in for trouble when he filches some jellybeans that are actually totally new, totally untested ingestible information pills. Now he’s a super-genius, and everyone’s after him. Chris Grabenstein (of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library) is hilarious as ever in this first installment of a brand-new series.

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We’re Not from Here

by Geoff Rodkey

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We all know the aliens-invade-Earth story, but what if we go live with them? When Lan Mifune’s family seeks refuge on Planet Choom, the Zhuri — intelligent creatures that look like giant bugs — don’t like humans that much and would prefer the Mifunes head back to their colony on Mars. Can Lan’s family convince them that humans are okay after all?

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Alice with a Why

by Anna James, illustrated by Matthew Land

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When Alyce visits her grandmother, Alice, she finds herself tumbling down the same rabbit hole she had heard stories about. As Alyce navigates Wonderland, she enlists the help of new and old characters to save the magical realm before returning home. Readers of all ages will get lost in this new adventure in Wonderland.

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Life on the Moon

by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr

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There are two important rules on the moon: There is no life on the moon, and don't ask questions. Naturally, 12-year-old Leo has questions. When his father mysteriously disappears shortly after they arrive at the first lunar colony, Leo uncovers a world far stranger than anyone has admitted. Packed with humor, mystery, and unforgettable creatures, this wildly imaginative adventure is a must-read for fourth grade readers.

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Merci Suárez Changes Gears

by Meg Medina

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In this heartfelt coming-of-age story, Merci Suárez balances the challenges of both middle school and home life with grace and an unerring sense of self. A scholarship student at her private school, she’s finding her footing among her peers. Meanwhile, at home, her grandfather is acting differently, and Merci wants to be there for him like he’s always supported her.

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Clean Getaway

by Nic Stone

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Scoob was supposed to be grounded over spring break, but don’t bother telling G’ma that. With her Green Book in hand, G’ma’s whisked Scoob off on a road trip through the American South, the history of the civil rights movement, and the story of how their family came to be.

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Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine

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Ten-year-old Caitlin has Asperger's syndrome and her beloved older brother was recently killed in a middle school shooting. Despite its heavy topics, this book manages to be meaningful, appropriate, and even (surprisingly) funny.

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Savvy

by Ingrid Law

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This is one of my all-time favorite books for this age range. In the Beaumont family, every person gets a “savvy” when they turn thirteen — some sort of special ability or gift. Mibs is counting down the days until her birthday and the reveal of her special gift, but when her dad is in a terrible accident, suddenly her savvy doesn’t seem nearly as important.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2026.