4th Grade Summer Reading List
The following list was created to give students ideas for fun and enjoyable books to read
throughout the summer. This list has books that fall into the Intermediate Reading level.
Intermediate typically spans late 3rd grade through 5th grade.
Fiction
Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Imagine living your life in hiding – never going to school or meeting anyone! Luke has
lived that way for his entire life because as a third child, he is outlawed by the Population
Police. Now, at 12 years old, he realizes that there are other third “hidden” children and
questions the law and his position.
The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
Ember was a city built to be the last refuge of the human race. It was also intended to
last for only 200 years. In the year 241, as the lights are flickering and supplies
dwindling, Lina and Doon work together to save their city.
Fine Feathered Friends
by Jamila Gavin
A young boy spends a summer at his aunt and uncle's farm and learns the meaning of
caring.
The Incredible Journey
by Sheila Burnford
Follow animal friends on a journey through the Canadian wilderness.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E.L. Konigsburg
Claudia and her younger brother, Jamie, run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of
Art and find mystery and intrigue there.
Half Magic
by Edward Eager
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could make a wish and have it come
true? Children discover a magic coin that grants them half a wish at a time. Half a wish
can lead to come exciting and unexpected adventures!
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
by Bette Bao Lord
Shirley Temple Wong assimilates to American culture after her move from China in
1946.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
A funny story of a boy dealing with learning disabilities.
by Jack Gantos
Rules
by Cynthia Lord
Twelve year old, Catherine, spends a lot of time caring for her younger brother, David.
Although Catherine longs for a “normal” life, David’s autism provides a lot of
challenges. Follow Catherine through a summer when two new friends enter her life and
she questions what “normal” really looks like.
The Skirt
by Gary Soto
A forgetful girl leaves behind a skirt she needs for a dance performance. How can she
get it back before her parents realize she has lost something again?
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
The will of Samuel W. Westing sends his heirs searching for his murderer.
Non-Fiction
The Hero Beowulf
by Eric A. Kimmel
A Viking story of good against evil with monsters and heroes.
Get Cooking
by Molly Katzen
Use some extra time over the summer trying out new recipes! This book provides 150
simple and delicious recipes.
The Great Fire
A photo-essay of the Great Fire of Chicago in1871.
by Jim Murphy
The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe
by Laurie Griffin Burns
Scientists try to find how a beekeeper lost the bees in all 400 of his hives and explore
how our lives would change if bees continue to disappear.
The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven
Stories of a traditional Chinese character.
by Ji-li Jiang
Pirate Diary: the Journal of Jake Carpenter
A boy tries to be a sailor but ends up a pirate instead.
by Richard Platt