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FRA Summer Reading List
Students Entering Fourth Grade
(For books which are listed as part of a series, any book in the series is acceptable.)
| Adventure/Mystery | Animal Stories | Fantasy |
| Historical Fiction | Humorous | Non-Fiction/Biography |
| Realistic Fiction | Sports |
Adventure/Mystery
Avi. Windcatcher
While learning to sail during a visit to his grandmother's at the Connecticut shore, eleven-year-old Tony becomes excited about the rumors of sunken treasure in the area and starts following a couple who seem to be making a mysterious search for something. (Any chapter book by this author.)
Dahl, Roald. Danny, Champion of the World
A young English boy describes his relationship with his father and the special adventure they share together. (Any book by this author)
DiCamillo, Kate. The tale of Despereaux : being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread
The adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.
DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Spiderwick Chronicles
Chronicles the adventures of the Grace children after they go to stay at their Great-Aunt Lucinda's worn Victorian house and discover a field guide to fairies and other magical creatures. (series)
Giff, Patricia. Kidnap at the Catfish Café
Assisted by her cat Max, sixth grader Minnie starts up her new detective agency by investigating a kidnapping and a thief who will steal anything, even a hot stove.
Greene, Stephanie. Owen Foote, Super Spy
Owen and his friends decide that spying on the school principal at his own house will be a fun challenge.
Hahn, Mary Downing. The Doll in the Garden
After Ashley and Kristi find an antique doll buried in old Miss Cooper's garden, they discover that they can enter a ghostly turn-of-the-century world by going through a hole in the hedge. (Any book by this author)
Kehret, Peg. Earthquake Terror
When an earthquake hits the isolated island in northern California where his family had been camping, twelve-year-old Jonathan Palmer must find a way to keep himself, his partially paralyzed younger sister, and their dog alive until help arrives.
Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Two suburban children run away from their Connecticut home and go to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where their ingenuity enables them to live in luxury.
Lowry, Lois. The Willoughbys
A tongue-in-cheek take on classic themes in children's literature, in which the four Willoughby children set out to become "deserving orphans" after their neglectful parents embark on a treacherous around-the-world adventure, leaving them in the care of an odious nanny.
Maguire, Gregory. Seven Spiders Spinning
Seven prehistoric spiders that had been trapped in ice for thousands of years bring excitement to rural Vermont and briefly unite two rival clubs at a local elementary school.
O’Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins
Left alone on a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Indian girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self-reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life.
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Riordan, Rick. The Maze of Bones
Amy and Dan, members of the powerful Cahill family, try to uncover the thirty-nine clues which will reveal the secrets of their lineage and find out what really happened to their parents. (39 Clues series)
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret : a Novel in Words and Pictures
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. (series)
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
Thirteen-year-old Sammy's penchant for speaking her mind gets her in trouble when she involves herself in the investigation of a robbery at the "seedy" hotel across the street from the seniors' building where she is living with her grandmother. (series)
Warner, Gertrude Chandler. The Boxcar Children
Four orphaned children, afraid to go live with their grandfather, set up housekeeping in an abandoned boxcar and are doing fine until one of them becomes ill. (series)
Avi. Poppy
Poppy, a deer mouse, urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. (series)
Birney, Betty G. The World According to Humphrey
Humphrey, pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher. (series)
Crisp, Marty. My Dog, Cat
Ten-year-old Abbie, bullied at school for being small, wants to get a big black dog, but two months of living with a little Yorkshire terrier changes his mind about a number of things.
DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
Grogan, John. Marley : A Dog Like No Other
A special adaptation of the author's book "Marley & Me" for young readers, in which he shares the story of his golden retriever Marley, and tells of the love his family has for the dog.
Haas, Jessie. Beware the Mare
Gramps gets a good bargain on an apparently perfect bay mare for Lily, but because the horse is named Beware he suspects that there may be something wrong with her.
Hapka, Cathy. Elska
Around the year 1000, the Icelandic horse named Elska is born and learns about life and her role in the herd, as well as love and friendship, when she rescues the girl to whom she originally belonged. Includes facts about Icelandic horses and Iceland. (Horse Diaries series)
Henry, Marguerite. Misty of Chincoteague
Two youngsters' determination to own a Chincoteague pony is greatly increased when the Phantom and her colt are among those rounded up for the yearly auction. (series)
Howe, Deborah. Bunnicula
Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire. (series)
King-Smith, Dick. The School Mouse
Flora, the world's most educated mouse, saves her family during a crisis.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Shiloh
Marty finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, and tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs. (series)
Vande Velde, Vivian. Smart Dog
Fifth grader Amy finds her life growing complicated when she meets and tries to hide an intelligent, talking dog who has escaped from a university lab.
Banks, Lynn Reid. The Indian in the Cupboard
A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him. (series)
Butterworth. The Enormous Egg
Problems develop when Nate's hen lays an egg that hatches into a dinosaur.
Byng, Georgia. Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism
Unlucky and unloved, Molly Moon, living in a dreary orphanage in a small English town, discovers a hidden talent for hypnotism and hypnotizes her way to stardom in New York City. (series)
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl
When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll. (series)
Coville, Bruce. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Small for his age but artistically talented, twelve-year-old Jeremy Thatcher unknowingly buys a dragon's egg. (series)
Dahl, Roald. The BFG
Kidsnatched from her orphange by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants.
DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Spiderwick Chronicles
Chronicles the adventures of the Grace children after they go to stay at their Great-Aunt Lucinda's worn Victorian house and discover a field guide to fairies and other magical creatures. (series)
Eager, Edward. Half Magic
Four children looking forward to an ordinary summer enjoy a series of fantastic adventures by double-wishing on an ancient coin. (series)
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart
Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father Mo, a bookbinder, can "read" fictional characters to life when an evil ruler named Capricorn, freed from the novel "Inkheart" years earlier, tries to force Mo to release an immortal monster from the story.
Howe, James. Tales from the House of Bunnicula: It Came from Beneath the Bed
The stories are about a lovable and smart, not to mention cute, orphan wirehaired dachshund puppy named Howie, his Uncle Howard, and his friend Delilah. (series)
Hunt, Elizabeth Singer. The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur: USA
Secret agent Jack Stalwart travels to New York City in search of a genetically mutated, flesh-eating dinosaur. (series)
Ibbotson, Eva. The Secret of Platform 13
Odge Gribble, a young hag, accompanies an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a magical tunnel from their Island to London to rescue their King and Queen's son who had been stolen as an infant.
Levine, Gail. Ella Enchanted
In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.
Martin, Ann M. The Doll People
A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for one hundred years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls arrives and doesn't follow The Doll Code of Honor. (series)
McDonald, Betty. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle loves children, both good and bad. She never scolds, but has positive cures for children with special problems such as answering back or never wanting to go to bed. (series)
Nimmo, Jenny. Midnight for Charlie Bone
Charlie Bone's life with his widowed mother and two grandmothers undergoes a dramatic change when he discovers that he can hear people in photographs talking. (series)
Norton, Mary. The Borrowers
Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock. (series)
Osborne, Mary Pope. Midnight for Charlie Bone
Odysseus faces the ultimate test of courage when he encounters stormy seas, a one-eyed giant, cannibals, and a six-headed serpent on his journey home. (series: Book one: The one-eyed giant -- Book two : The land of the dead -- Book three : Sirens and sea monsters. Part Two: Book four : The gray-eyed goddess -- Book five : Return to Ithaca -- Book six : The final battle )
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (series)
Scieszka, Jon. Summer Reading Is Killing Me
At the beginning of summer vacation Joe, Sam, and Fred find themselves trapped inside their summer reading list, involved in a battle between good and evil characters from well-known children's books. (series).
Winthrop, Elizabeth. The Castle in the Attic
A gift of a toy castle, complete with silver knight, introduces William to an adventure involving magic and a personal quest.
Avi. The Secret School
In 1925, fourteen-year-old Ida Bidson secretly takes over as the teacher when the one-room schoolhouse in her remote Colorado area closes unexpectedly.
Brink, Carol Ryrie. Caddie Woodlawn
Newbery Medal, 1936 The adventures of an eleven-year-old tomboy growing up on the Wisconsin frontier in the mid-nineteenth century.
Bruchac, Joseph. The Journal of Jesse Smoke: a Cherokee Boy
Jesse Smoke, a sixteen-year-old Cherokee, begins a journal in 1837 to record stories of his people and their difficulties as they face removal along the Trail of Tears. Includes a historical note giving details of the removal. (My Name Is America series. Students may read any book in this series, which has various authors.)
Burch, Robert. Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain
Tough times in rural Georgia during the Depression take a lively turn when spirited Ida Early arrives to keep house for the Suttons.
Byars, Betsy. Trouble River
When he builds his raft, a twelve-year-old boy never dreams that it will serve as the sole means of escape for him and his grandmother when hostile Indians threaten their prairie cabin.
Hesse, Karen. Letters from Rifka
In letters to her cousin, a young Jewish girl chronicles her family's flight from Russia in 1919 and her own experiences when she must be left in Belgium for a while when the others emigrate to America.
Kerr, Judith. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Recounts the adventures of a nine-year-old Jewish girl and her family in the early 1930s as they travel from Germany to England.
Lasky, Katherine. Dreams in the Golden Country: the Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl
Twelve-year-old Zippy, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, keeps a diary account of the first eighteen months of her family's life on the Lower East Side of New York City in 1903-1904. (Dear America series. Students may read any book in this series, which has various authors.)
Levitin, Sonia. Journey to America
A Jewish family fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938 endures innumerable separations before they are once again united.
Lord, Bette. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
In 1947, a Chinese child comes to Brooklyn where she becomes Americanized at school, in her apartment building, and by her love for baseball.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Emily’s Fortune
While traveling to her aunt's home in Redbud by train and stagecoach, quiet young Emily and her turtle, Rufus, team up with Jackson, fellow orphan and troublemaker extraordinaire, to outsmart mean Uncle Victor, who is after Emily's inheritance.
Pryor, Bonnie. Luke on the High Seas
In 1850, Luke and Toby set sail from Boston to California on a voyage featuring shady characters, a story of a lost gold mine, and a cabin boy with a secret.
Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House on the Prairie
A family travels from the big woods of Wisconsin to a new home on the prairie, where they build a house, meet neighboring Indians, dig a well, and fight a prairie fire. (series)
Williams, Barbara. Titanic Crossing
In 1912, thirteen-year-old Albert considers his younger sister a pest, but things change when they travel with their mother and uncle aboard the Titanic and are caught up in its tragic sinking.
Clements, Andrew. Lunch Money
Twelve-year-old Greg, who has always been good at moneymaking projects, is surprised to find himself teaming up with his lifelong rival, Maura, to create a series of comic books to sell at school. (Any book by this author)
Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal
Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship. (series)
Levy, Elizabeth. My Life As a Fifth Grade Comedian
Although Bobby's father thinks that he might be expelled just like his older brother, with the encouragement of a new fifth-grade teacher, Bobby tries to channel his penchant for humor into a learning experience.
Manes, Stephen. Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days
Milo, tired of problems with his sister, parents, and classmates, finds a book in the library which promises to make him perfect in just three days.
Park, Barbara. Skinnybones
Alex's active sense of humor helps him get along with the school braggart, make the most of his athletic talents, and simply get by in a hectic world. (series)
Sachar, Louis. Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story. (series)
Scieszka, Jon. Knights of the Kitchen Table
One minute they're looking at pictures of knights in the book, a birthday gift from Joe's magician uncle, the next minute they're battling fire-breathing dragons. Will Joe, Fred, and Sam escape death? (series)
Weeks, Sarah. Oggie Cooder
Quirky fourth-grader Oggie Cooder goes from being shunned to everyone's best friend when his uncanny ability to chew slices of cheese into the shapes of states wins him a slot on a popular television talent show, but he soon learns the perils of being a celebrity--and having a neighbor girl as his manager.
Brandenburg, Jim. To the Top of the World
A wildlife photographer records in text and photographs two visits to Ellesmere Island, Northwest Territories, where he filmed a pack of Arctic wolves over several months.
Davis, Kenneth. Don’t Know Much About the Fifty States
Provides assorted facts about each of the fifty states in question and answer format.
Delano, Marfe Ferguson. Helen's Eyes
Photographs, illustrations, and text chronicle the life of Helen Keller's tutor, Annie Sullivan.
Fritz, Jean. What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
A brief biography of the eighteenth-century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of the United States. (Choose any of the Jean Fritz biography series.)
Kehret, Peg. Shelter Dogs
Tells the stories of eight stray dogs that were adopted from animal shelters and went on to become service dogs, actors, and heroes.
Osborne, Mary Pope. Knights and Castles : A Nonfiction Companion to The Knight at Dawn
Jack and Annie look at knights, armor, and life in a castle. (Magic Tree House Research Guides series)
Paulsen, Gary. My Life in Dog Years
The author describes how dogs have impacted his life from childhood through the present day, recounting the stories of his first dog, Snowball, in the Philippines; Dirk, who protected him from bullies; and Cookie, who saved his life.
Ride, Sally. To Space and Back
Describes in text and photographs what it is like to be an astronaut on the space shuttle. Includes a glossary of terms.
Rosenberg, Maxine. Hiding to Survive
First person accounts of fourteen Holocaust survivors who as children were hidden from the Nazis by non-Jews.
Selden, Bernice. The Story of Walt Disney, Maker of Magical Worlds
The story of Disney's life-entertaining children and adults on film and television, and in his magical kingdoms of Disneyland and Disney World. (Famous Lives biography series)
Schyffert, Bea Uusma. The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon
Describes the experiences of Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins as he circled the moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on it; and explains what everyday life was like on "Columbia," presents background on the three astronauts, and includes photos of Collins and his family
Bauer, Marion Dane. The Double-Digit Club
Nine-year-old Sarah is excited about summer vacation, but she faces unexpected crises when her best friend Paige becomes old enough to join a local girls' clique, and when she makes choices which affect her relationship with an elderly blind neighbor.
Cabot, Meg. Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: Moving Day
Nine-year-old Allie has rules for everything and is even writing her own rule book, but her world is turned upside-down when she learns that her family is moving across town, which will mean a new house, school, best friend, and plenty of new rules. (series)
Child, Lauren. Utterly Me, Clarice Bean
When someone steals the winner's trophy for the school book project, Clarice emulates her favorite book heroine, Ruby Redfort the detective. (series)
Cleary, Beverly. Ramona the Pest
Ramona starts kindergarten and her good intentions and uncontrollable curiosity lead her to become a "Kindergarten dropout." (series)
Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue
Nine-year-old Amber Brown faces further complications because of her parents' divorce when her father plans to move back from Paris and she must decide which parent she will be with on Thanksgiving. (series)
Davies, Jacqueline. The Lemonade War
Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars. Includes mathematical calculations and tips for running a successful lemonade stand. (series)
Dowell, Frances O'Roark. Phineas L. MacGuire-- Erupts! : the First Experiment
Fourth-grade science whiz Phineas MacGuire is forced to team up with the new boy in class on a science fair project, but the boy's quirky personality causes Phineas to wonder if they have any chance of winning. (series)
Fitzhugh, Louise. Harriet the Spy
Eleven-year-old Harriet keeps notes on her classmates and neighbors in a secret notebook, but when some of the students read the notebook, they seek revenge.
Gifford, Peggy. Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
With summer coming to an end, about-to-be-fourth-grader Moxy Maxwell does a hundred different things to avoid reading her assigned summer reading book. (series)
Greene, Bette. Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe
Eleven-year-old Beth thinks that Philip Hall likes her, but their on-again, off-again relationship sometimes makes her wonder.
Hurwitz, Johanna. The Hot and Cold Summer
Two inseparable ten-year-old boys discover there is room in their friendship for another person and it really doesn't matter that she is a girl.
Look, Leonore. Ruby Lu, Brave and True
"Almost-eight-year-old" Ruby Lu spends time with her baby brother, goes to Chinese school, performs magic tricks and learns to drive, and has adventures with both old and new friends. (series)
Lord, Cynthia. Rules
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic.
O'Connor, Barbara. How to steal a dog : a novel
Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer.
Ruckman, Ivy. Night of the Twisters
A fictional account of the night freakish and devastating tornadoes hit Grand Island, Nebraska, as experienced by a twelve-year-old, his family, and friends.
Spinelli, Jerry. Fourth Grade Rats
Suds learns that his best friend is wrong. You don't have to be a tough guy, a "rat," to be a grown up fourth grader.
Avi. S.O.R. Losers
Each member of the South Orange River seventh-grade soccer team has qualities of excellence, but not on the soccer field.
Christopher, Matt. Catch That Pass!
Everyone knows Jim will be the star linebacker on the team if he can only conquer his fear of being tackled, but it takes a boy in a wheelchair to teach him that kind of courage. (series)
Gutman, Dan. The Million Dollar Shot
Eleven-year-old Eddie gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the NBA finals. (series)
Gutman, Dan. Shoeless Joe and Me: a Baseball Card Adventure
Joe Stoshack travels back to 1919, where he meets Shoeless Joe Jackson and tries to prevent the fixing of the World Series in which Jackson was wrongly implicated. (series)
Hicks, Betty. Goof-off Goalie
Ten-year-old Goose is best at goofing off, but when he decides to become the goalie for their soccer team, his friend Henry sets up a practice schedule and enlists their other friends to help Goose improve his skills. (Gym shorts—series)
Hurwitz, Johanna. Baseball Fever
Ten-year-old Ezra tries to convince his scholarly father that his baseball fever is not wasting his mind.
Myers, Walter Dean. The Journal of Biddy Owens
Teenager Biddy Owens' 1948 journal about working for the Birmingham Black Barons includes the games and the players, racism the team faces from New Orleans to Chicago, and his family's resistance to his becoming a professional baseball player. Includes a historical note about the evolution of the Negro Leagues. (My Name Is America series. Students may read any book in this series, which has various authors.)
Stout, Glenn. On the Court with-- Kobe Bryant
"Matt Christopher." Presents a profile of Kobe Bryant, one of the youngest basketball players in the National Basketball Association. (series by this author: At the Plate with--; On the Field with--; etc.)
