recommendations for 4th grade boys books to read

[peggyfromwastate]

Kelly- I know that you really liked a series, but I can't remember what it was? I could do a search, but I was wondering if anyone had any good recs? Steven seems to be only into Diary of a Wimpy kids, but that doesn't really count to me as a *book*, you know, with a plot...

He's been trying to read Eragon and that series, but it's a bit beyond him.

I think we're going to read Harry Potter as a family next (we're finishing up narnia now).

He mostly likes to look at his pokemon cards. He can do that for hours, but he hasn't really gotten into reading yet...

TIA

I finally banned Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and just recently pulled the plug on Captain Underpants. I swear, 4th grade boys are just so into stories of rotten kids doing rotten things ... it's making me nuts. Jacob is reading (when nudged that way) the Percy Jackson series.

[oceanchild]

Encyclopedia Brown? My brother really liked those. Not much of a plot there either, though.

[Sheherezade]

Funny series - How to Tame Your Dragon books. They are very different from the movie (at least what I got from the trailer). They are slapstick but not Simpson's "bad kid" stuff. The Wayside School books were also a big hit with my non-reader. Again, they are very funny. (And short!) If he is in to the Fantasy stuff, the Magyk series is also very good. Magyk, Flyte, Physk, Syren, I think. Percy Jackson books (The Lightning Thief is the first) were popular here too. Eragon and Eldest - also a good series for boys.

Don't lose hope on him eventually reading more. My son just hit high school and he HAD to read the Count of Monte Cristo this summer. Now, he tells everyone he meets that they should read it and that it is actually a great book. (Surprise! That's why it is a classic, kid! )

ETA: Forgot to mention the Series of Unfortunate Events books. My son read all 13 in a few months. Obviously, he goes for funny when he reads.

[MrsK]

I was going to suggest Judy Blume -- Frecklejuice, Super Fudge, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. . . just stay away from some of her more mature books like Then Again, Maybe I Won't and Forever.

I have a friend whose son is turning 9 this month. He's reading Sherlock Holms and he loves it.

Also, there was a book I loved around Steven's age and I cannot remember it's name. It was a Newbery Medal Winner about a brother and sister who run away and hide out in the Natural History Museum. Come to think of it, the Newbery winners may have some good selections for you.

[oceanchild]

Also, there was a book I loved around Steven's age and I cannot remember it's name. It was a Newbery Medal Winner about a brother and sister who run away and hide out in the Natural History Museum. Come to think of it, the Newbery winners may have some good selections for you.

The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler! I liked that one.

Thought of another: DH really liked the Hatchet books (Gary Paulsen). Those might be a little older than 4th grade though.

[MrsK]

Options from the Newbery Medal Winners:

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (He might like the Ramona books too)
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White (My brother loved this book when he was about 9-11)

Also, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or others by Dahl.

Still cannot find that book about the runaways in the museum. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

[MrsK]

The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler! I liked that one.

Thought of another: DH really liked the Hatchet books (Gary Paulsen). Those might be a little older than 4th grade though.

OMG, you are right! I even listed it and didn't make the connection. Thank you! I've been pondering this for YEARS! I'm at Barnes & Noble right now (internet is STILL down) and I'm going to get me a copy.

[houseelf]

Quick drive by post because I have to get the crew motivated to start homework--

First, the Barnes and Noble website has a chat site-- I think there is a subsection called the family room. This is a great resource for choices for boys with specific tastes.

My understanding is that boys tend to choose more nonfiction: books about planes, the military, blowing things up, aliens, paranormal, etcetera. Try the Mischief Maker's Manual, the Dangerous Book for boys, For Boys Only Book.

Currently he is ripping through the Alex Rider series (Thanks for this recommendation Jennifer S!)

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X is a James Patterson novel for kids about a superhero. He should rip through it as the chapters are 2 pages long.

The City of Ember series was a huge hit.

Anything by carl Hiassan: Flush, Scat, etcetera

The 39 clues (has an online video game tie in to reading....you know any fourth grade boy will like that)

The Name of this book is Secret series

Pendragon (He enjoyed it although I thought it was dreadful, the same with Eragon *blech*)

Choose your own adventure series

Encyclopedia Brown

And of course, Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate and the like. I'm of the mindset that I let him read whatever suits his fancy.

Percy Jackson series (enjoyed by the adult in the house as well)

Tiger is Rising by Kate Dicamillo

Per Angie's suggestion, my son read the entire How to Train Your Dragon series a few years ago. I would catch him laughing as he turned pages.

On the books started but left unfinished list -all of the EB White titles (too cute and fuzzy), Roald Dahl (too bizarre), The Mysterious Benedictine Society (too much like Roald Dahl), anything by Beverly Cleary (although my daughter loves this author), and the Indian in the Cupboard (too slow). Apparently, it has to have humor or action or it will be entitled "BORING!"

Best of luck!

And of course, Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate and the like. I'm of the mindset that I let him read whatever suits his fancy.

I totally get this and was thrilled that mine were reading anything at all ... until ... the crap in the books started to come out in their behavior / the way they spoke to me and others. If they could read the book and leave it there -- then YAY!

I'm going to have to look into the How to Train Your Dragon series.

[HouseofWool]

Summer of the Monkeys and Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls were favorites of mine.

Bridge to Terabithia

[houseelf]

Among the Hidden series

Jack London and Peg Kehret for a boy who likes adventure

[poky]

Among the Hidden series

Jack London and Peg Kehret for a boy who likes adventure

Hmm..along that line, Walt Morey wrote some great stories (all set in Alaska/PNW); Gentle Ben and Kavik the wolf dog are the two I remember best.

[scrub-jay]

Summer of the Monkeys and Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls were favorites of mine.

Bridge to Terabithia

I second these!

We had the same problem. I got rid of our Captain Underpants books as well.

We have a lot of the books recommended - good ideas!

That's nice to hear. I found it terribly frustrating. I want to encourage reading (duh), and you'd think I'd be the last person banning certain books, but man - I could directly link their attitude/behavior to having read those things! GAH!