30+ Wonderful Books For 4th Grade Girls

 

Are you looking for the absolute perfect books for 4th-grade girls?

Whether you need an awesome summer reading list for fourth graders, you’re dealing with the most reluctant readers on the planet, or your kid is always on the hunt for great books – I’ve got some good books for you!

Your kid will be throwing down that video game in no time to find out what happens next with their main character – yes, I’m serious!

I know you already know about books like the uber-popular Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (confession – not my favorite) and the classics – a la Judy Blume and Charlotte’s Web. So I tried not to make this list of books too predictable.

Now, the following books do have a classic book or two. Because there couldn’t be a list of the best chapter books for fourth graders without a nod to Harry Potter.

Clearly. 

But I do hope to introduce you and the 4th-grade girl in your life to a few new favorite books! 

If you’re looking for an adventure story, graphic novel, true story, coming-of-age book, funny book, Newberry Medal winner, new kid book, or a book about moving up from 3rd grade…you’re going to find it in the list of books below!

But Will These Books Be At A 4th Grade Reading Level?

With young readers I know there is always the stress of whether the child is reading at grade level. 

You don’t want to risk handing them a book and it creates frustration or embarrassment. 

First of all, you should know that 4th grade marks your child entering the realm of “middle-grade books.” That term refers to books for 8 year olds to 12 year olds, not necessarily middle school.

All of the books on my list fall into the lower section of middle grade reading – perfect for 4th graders!

Some are easier to read than others and there are varying lengths. All the details you want to know about reading difficulty will be found in the Amazon hyperlink I provided for each book selection.

If this is your child’s first time with a chapter book or they are newly independent reading, I would recommend starting with a simple, light book. Eventually, you can move them up to more rigorous text and themes.

Keep in mind that fanning their love of reading is always more important than their current level of reading. That’s called playing the long game.

Alrighty, now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive in and find your daughter a new book!

Perfect Book List for 4th Grade Girls

1. Wish

 

Title: Wish

Author: Barbar O’Connor

Description:

Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite. But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true. That is until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.

2. Wonderland

 

Title: Wonderland

Author: Barbara O’Connor

Description:

Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent―which means finding herself a best friend.

Rose Tully is a worrier who feels like she doesn’t quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood. Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, but he hasn’t been himself since his dog died. Rose may have to break a few of her mother’s many rules to help Mr. Duffy―and find someone who really understands her.

Henry has run away from home, but he craves kindness and comfort―and doesn’t know where to look for them.

When Mavis and Rose hatch a scheme to find Mr. Duffy a new dog, their lives and Henry’s intersect―and they all come to find friendship in places they never expected.

3. The Featherchase

 

Title: The Feather Chase

Author: Shannon L. Brown

Description:

Twelve-year-old cousins Sophie and Jessica don’t have much in common. Sophie loves hiking and her small town. Jessica would rather be shopping in a city. The only mystery is how they’ll be able to spend the summer together.

Then . . . they find a briefcase in the forest with a surprise inside. When they hear footsteps behind them and bad guys run after them, they have no choice but to work together to solve the mystery of The Feather Chase.

4. Who’s Afraid of 4th Grade?

 

Title: Who’s Afraid of Fourth Grade?

Author: Nancy E. Krulik

Description:

At first, Katie and her friends can’t wait to enter the fourth grade! But with the pressure of new classes, teachers, and friends, Katie isn’t so sure she likes it after all. And to make matters worse, the magic wind appears twice-and turns her into her new friend Emma Weber, who has her hands full with three younger siblings to help take care of, and then into her former best friend Suzanne as she’s about to make her fashion runway debut! What’s a fourth-grader to do?

5. Ways to Make Sunshine

 

Title: Ways to Make Sunshine

Author: Renee Watson

Description:

From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson comes the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine.

Ryan is all about trying to see the best in people, to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend. But even if her life isn’t everything she would wish for, when her big brother is infuriating, her parents don’t quite understand, and the unexpected happens, she always finds a way forward, with grace and wit. And plenty of sunshine.

6. The Cat, The Cash, The Leap, And The List

 

Title: The Cat, The Cash, The Leap, And The List

Author: Sue Campbell

Description:

When you secretly adopt a (very) pregnant cat, things get messy FAST.

It’s her dream come true: Martha’s cousins are about to come for a six-week summer visit. But instead of hustling to meet her parents and head to the airport to pick them up, she finds herself rescuing a pregnant cat from a garage sale free box.

Things get messy when her parents find out—and even worse when the cat runs away before giving birth to the kittens.

7. Siarra Jones: Skating Into Trouble

 

Title: Siarra Jones Skating Into Trouble

First Book in the Step by Step Series

Author: Paul Breau

Description:

Siarra and her best friend Mia love ice skating and are excited to start their new lessons. If they pass the class, they’ll get to join an elite skating group. Unfortunately, Siarra struggles to find a way to deal with a faster skater who continually picks on her. Will she give up on her dream or can she can she figure out a way to deal with the skating bully.

8. Hook’s Daughter

 

Title: Hook’s Daughter

Author: R. V. Bowman

Description:

Stuck at an exclusive boarding school year round, Andromeda “Rommy” Cavendish counts down the days to her seafaring father’s twice-yearly visits.  Every year, she hopes this will be the summer her father takes her with him on his travels. But he always says she is too young, and it’s too dangerous. 

But this summer is going to be different. As the newest and youngest member of her school’s fencing team, danger is her new best friend. There’s no way her father can say no. But he never shows up for his visit. 

Worried that something awful has happened, Rommy dresses as a boy and sneaks out of her school. Traveling through nineteenth-century London, she discovers more questions than answers. To find her father she’ll have to go to the magical island of Neverland where heroes are villains, and  her father might be the baddest villain of them all. 

9. Molly McGinty Has A Really Good Day

 

Title: Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day

Author: Gary Paulsen

Description:

Today, Molly
Learned her wacky grandma was coming to spend the day at school
with her.
Lost her Notebook with everything that matters in it, including her homework.
Got a black eye
Tore her skirt
And it’s only 9 a.m.
Could things get any worse?
You bet!

10. Because of Mr.Terupt

 

Title: Because of Mr. Terupt

Author: Rob Buyea

Description:

It’s the start of a new year at Snow Hill School, and seven students find themselves thrown together in Mr. Terupt’s fifth grade class. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next; Peter, class prankster and troublemaker; Luke, the brain; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy Anna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and Jeffrey, who hates school.
 
They don’t have much in common, and they’ve never gotten along. Not until a certain new teacher arrives and helps them to find strength inside themselves—and in each other. But when Mr. Terupt suffers a terrible accident, will his students be able to remember the lessons he taught them? Or will their lives go back to the way they were before—before fifth grade and before Mr. Terupt?

11. 4th Grade Fairy

Title: 4th Grade Fairy

Author: Eileen Cook

Description: 

Willow comes from a long line of fairy godmothers and she’s expected to be one too when the time comes. (At the moment she’s merely sprite status.) Maybe that would be cool if it were like the old days when the humans — known as humdrums — knew fairy godmothers existed and the fairies didn’t have to keep their fairy status secret. Now they’re stuck helping humans who don’t even believe in them. Rather than help normals, Willow would rather be human. She’s sick of being weird.

When she’s given the chance to attend a humdrum elementary school for two weeks, this is Willow’s chance to finally experience a normal life — but will she be able to fit in? And can she find her best friend there, even if her parents discourage making friends with humans?

12. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, And A Very Interesting Boy

 

Title: (Book 1) The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, And A Very Interesting Boy

Author: Jeanne Birdsall

Description: 

This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.

The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.

13. The Tail Of Emily Windsnap

 

Title: The Tail Of Emily Windsnap

Author: Liz Kessler

Description:

A young girl learns she’s half mermaid and plunges into a scheme to reunite with her father in this entrancing, satisfying tale that beckons readers far below the waves.

14. Matilda

 

Title: Matilda

Author: Roald Dahl

Description:

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a menacing, kid-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

15. Zoey and Sassafras Series Books

Title: Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows

Author: Asia Citro

Description:

Each story in the Zoey and Sassafras series features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. There isn’t a set formula for each book; Zoey sometimes needs to run experiments, while other times she needs to investigate a mystery, and yet other times she needs to do research. Zoey models how to keep a science journal through her handwritten entries in each story. Each story is complete with a glossary of the kid-friendly definitions for scientific terms used. The series highlights child-led inquiry science and the topics covered align with both Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

16. My Grandmother’s Attic Series (Personal Favorite!)

 

Title: My Grandmother’s Attic Series

Author: Arleta Richardson

Description:

A young girl’s discovery of her grandmother’s keepsakes inspires heartwarming tales of her grandmother’s childhood and the lessons learned on a nineteenth-century farm.

17. A Whale Of The Wild

 

Title: A Whale Of The Wild

Author: Rosanne Parry

Description:

For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?

18. Fourth Grade Rats

 

Title: Fourth Grade Rats

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Description:

Suds may have been the perfect third grade angel last year, but now that he’s in fourth grade, it’s time to be…a rat! His best friend, Joey, knows all about being a rat: pushing little kids off the swings, saying good-bye to lunch boxes and PB&J, and definitely no crying allowed.

Suds isn’t so sure he wants to be a rat, but Joey is quickly becoming the most popular kid in class with his troublemaking ways. Even Judy Billings is starting to pay attention. If Suds doesn’t become a rat, will he just turn…invisible?

19. Mermaid in Middle Grade Series

Title: (Book 1) Mermaid in Middle Grade

Author: A.M. Luzzader

Description:

Brynn is the only mermaid in school who hasn’t been able to learn magic. Until she can unlock the secret to magic spells, she can’t become a sea guardian like her parents and friends. On her quest to solve this mystery, Brynn and her best friend encounter a loveable sea turtle, a pair of selkie sisters, and Phaedra the great and terrible sea witch. But soon Brynn is over her head in trouble. She must learn to ask for help, do her best, and follow the merfolk oath if she wants to level up and become a guardian of the sea!

20. Ava and Carol Detective Agency Series

 

Title: (Book 1) The Mystery of the Pharaoh’s Diamonds

Author: Thomas Lockhaven

Description:

Criminals beware! There’s a new mystery-solving duo in town and they’ve got a curfew—so you better run fast!

Ava and Carol are two best friends who know how to foil a crime spree, and nothing will get in their way when they discover what trickery is afoot.

It’s a race against time as Ava and Carol use quick-thinking and plenty of sass to outwit a band of thieves before the precious diamonds make their way out of the country and out of the lives of history lovers everywhere!
Follow the clues and try your luck against a dastardly band of international criminals. Can you save the Ramesses diamonds before they become ancient history—again?

21. Phoebe And Her Unicorn (Graphic Novel)

Title: (Book 1) Phoebe And Her Unicorn

Author: Dana Simpson

Description:

It all started when a girl named Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond and accidentally hit a unicorn in the face. Improbably, this led to Phoebe being granted one wish, and she used it to make the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, her obligational best friend. But can a vain mythical beast and a nine-year-old daydreamer really forge a connection? Indeed they can, and that’s how Phoebe and Her Unicorn unfolds.

22. The Dare

 

Title: The Dare

Author: Cynthia Liu

Description: 

Twelve-year-old Paris Pan has moved to a small town where she has a real shot at making friends. But that friendship comes at a price. She must take The Dare, something that caused a girl to disappear on the very property she now resides. To make matters worse, Paris must play basketball against her will, eradicate a crush on the least desirable boy in seventh grade, and cope with a family crisis that was possibly caused by a chili dog.

23. Harry Potter Series

 

Title: (Book 1) Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Description:

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

24. I Survived Series (Historical Fiction)

 

Title: (Series Can Be Read In Any Order) I Survived The Eruption of Mount St. Helens 1980

Author: Lauren Tarshis

Description:

Eleven-year-old Jessie Marlowe has grown up with the beautiful Mount St. Helens always in the background. She’s hiked its winding trails, dived into its cold lakes, and fished for trout in its streams. Just looking at Mount St. Helens out her window made Jess feel calm, like it was watching over her somehow. Of course, she knew the mountain was a volcano…but not the active kind, not a volcano that could destroy and kill! Then Mount St. Helens explodes with unimaginable fury. Jess suddenly finds herself in the middle of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic event in U.S. history. Ash and rock are spewing everywhere. Can Jess escape in time?

25. There’s a Boy In The Girl’s Bathroom (Not What You Might Be Thinking)

 

Title: There’s A Boy In The Girl’s Bathroom

Author: Louis Sachar

Description:

“Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.” 
 
That’s Bradley Chalkers for you. He’s the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has serious behavior problems. No one likes him—except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren’t afraid to try.
 
But when you feel like the most hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .

26. Hannah Saves The World (Series)

 

Title: (Book 1) Hannah Saves The World

Author: A.M. Luzzader

Description:

Hannah’s got a funny feeling that it’s up to her to save the entire world, but before she can do so, she and her skeptical best friend Mia have to figure out what they’re saving the world from! As the girls’ detective work proceeds, they uncover a chain of clues that might unravel the children’s mystery of the vandalized town playground, but what about the massive space cruiser parked high in the stratosphere, and the aliens inside who are laying plans to invade Earth? Can a pair of middle-school detectives really save the world? Find out in this funny book for tweens!

27. The Nocturnals Series

 

Title: (Book 1) The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions

Author: Tracey Hect

Description: 

Perfect for fans of Bad Guys, Wild Kratts, and Humphrey! The Nocturnals is a fun-filled chapter book series about three unlikely animals who solve unpredictable mysteries with friendship, teamwork, and humor.

28. Caddie Woodlawn

 

Title: Caddie Woodlawn

Author: Carol Ryrie Brink

Description:

Caddie Woodlawn is a real adventurer. She’d rather hunt than sew and plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother’s dares every chance she gets. Caddie is friends with Indians, who scare most of the neighbors—neighbors who, like her mother and sisters, don’t understand her at all.

29. Little House Books (Classic Series)

 

Title: (Book 1) Little House In The Big Woods

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Description:

Based on the real-life adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in the award-winning Little House series, which has captivated generations of readers.

30. The Magnificent Mya Tibbs Series

 

Title: (Book 1) The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown

Author: Crystal Allen

Description:

Mya Tibbs is boot-scootin’ excited for the best week of the whole school year—SPIRIT WEEK! She and her megapopular best friend Naomi Jackson even made a pinky promise to be Spirit Week partners so they can win the big prize: special VIP tickets to the Fall Festival.

But when the partner-picking goes horribly wrong, Mya gets paired with Mean Connie Tate—the biggest bully in school. And she can’t get out of it. Good gravy!

Now Naomi is “friend-ending” mad at Mya for breaking a promise—even though Mya couldn’t help it—and everyone at school is calling Mya names. Can Mya work with Mean Connie to win the VIP tickets, and get her best friend back?

31. Wolf Walkers: The Graphic Novel

Title: Wolf Walkers

Author: Samuel Sattin

Description:

In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden lands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of WOLFWALKERS rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night.

Still Looking For Even More Of The Best 4th Grade Books For Girls?

If you need even more book recommendations for 4th graders, check out my post below on the best read alouds!

Many are books that your child will be able to read by themselves and really enjoy. And if your daughter has a higher reading level, she will likely be able to read all of them.

This list contains a variety of books. Everything from Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Enjoy!

Do you have your own favorite book for 4th-grade girls? 

Please share your own recommendations in the comments below!

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