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Books for Kids and Grown Ups

20 Popular Book Series 5th Graders Love

There are two kinds of problems parents and teachers often have with kids being readers: they’re either not reading enough or at all OR they’re burning through books too fast to find options. Book series help with both of these issues. With reluctant readers, book series keep them in a familiar universe, making it easier to get into each next story, while with voracious readers, finding a series with at least five installments is a surefire way to keep them booked and busy for some time. Regardless of what camp you fall into, I’m sharing 20 excellent book series for 5th graders to enjoy. My list includes graphic novels, sports books, adventure stories, mystery, sci-fi, and feel-good stories.

20 Best Book Series for 5th Graders

Here are 20 of the best book series for 5th graders:

Track Series

Published: August 30, 2016

4 books in series

The Track series is about four kids (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu) on the same track team dealing with issues in their personal lives and finding solace in running. It opens with Castle Crenshaw (aka Ghost), who has PTSD from a dad who tried to fire a gun at him as a child. When he meets Coach and the rest of the team, he can finally harness his talent as a sprinter and stop running away from his problems. I love how powerful these kids’ stories are and that they’re super short — this one is only 185 pages long.

Published: March 10, 2020

5 books in series

Twelve-year-old Sara Martinez is a hacker bouncing from foster home to foster home in Brooklyn, New York. After getting arrested for hacking into the NYC foster care system to expose her foster parents as criminals, she meets a man named Mother, who is not a lawyer but convinces her to take on her case. Mother somehow wins, and Sara gets released only to join a team of kid spies operating out of a base in Scotland. With spies, family drama, and high-action chases, this is an excellent start to an exciting mystery-adventure series that kids and adults can enjoy. Taking readers from New York to Scotland and Paris, this story makes for an engaging experience. These books are on the longer side and best for stronger readers — but anyone can enjoy them on audio.

Published: January 8, 2019

6 books in series

This is one of my favorite low-stakes graphic novel series. I love that the books can be read in any order. It’s all about Olive and her friends, starting with her entry into the fifth grade. The illustrations are gorgeous and the series explores many themes, including theater life, friendships, and family relationships — there’s even a summer camp installment . Hand to kids looking for sweet graphic novels in the vein of The Babysitters Club graphic novels.

All Four Stars

Published: July 10, 2014

3 books in series

Gladys Gatsby LOVES gourmet food, unlike her parents who believe in microwaveable food. So when she gets the chance to become a food critic, she is thrilled. There’s only one caveat: no one can find out. This gave me Ruth Reichl’s Garlic and Sapphires vibe, but for kids — and more delightful, complete with all the mouth-watering food descriptions. Hand to kids who love a foodie feel-good series.

Published: May 29, 2018

Mia Tang is a ten-year-old Chinese immigrant who lives in a motel with her parents. They run the motel for its crooked owner, Mr Yao. Mia runs the front desk and enjoys it. This book deals with heavier topics like racism, class prejudice, the value of diligence, and the struggles of immigrants in a dignified way that kids can relate to. Overall, this is a compelling, refreshing book for everyone! This series is at book five now and going strong.

The Vanderbeekers

Published: October 3, 2017

Meet the Vanderbeekers! They’re a biracial family living in Harlem, New York. With five kids, including a pair of twin girls, there are plenty of characters for each kid to identify with. This series is warm and cozy and each installment features the Vanderbeeker kids trying to accomplish a unique goal. The first book is all about getting their grumpy neighbor to warm up to them.

Unforgettable Logan Foster

Published: January 18, 2022

2 books in series

Logan is a foster kid at a boys’ foster home. He’s on the autism spectrum, has a photographic memory, and isn’t the best at picking up on social cues. But just when Logan is sure that he’ll never be adopted, a new couple Margie and Gil show up. After a rocky start, Logan is settling in with his new foster parents when he starts noticing some weird things. Gil never seems to eat and are Margie’s tears silver? He’s only processing the fact that his new parents might be superheroes when they get kidnapped by a supervillain, and it’s up to Logan to save them. This is a superb, fast-paced superhero fantasy about identity, self-worth, and finding community.

Published: March 6, 2012

11 books in series

Ben Ripley’s life does a 180 when he gets an invitation to work for the CIA, only to find out that it was a case of mistaken identity because someone on the inside has a secret ploy against the agency. With a new crush roping him into an undercover mission to unravel the plot, Ben discovers that he’s actually not half-bad at being a spy. This isn’t my favorite spy series, but kids love it and can’t stop reading. Perfect for fans of spy and adventure books.

The Smartest Kid in the Universe

Published: December 1, 2020

Twelve-year-old Jack is a no-stress student who doesn’t believe in working hard at school. He won’t even try hard to learn Spanish, his best friend’s first language. It doesn’t help that his school is about to be shut down. But when he eats a bunch of jellybeans created by a scientist and suddenly has a vast store of knowledge, he might be able to compete in a contest to put his school on the map and save it from demolition. What he doesn’t know is that there are more sinister forces working against the school. This is a relatable rib-tickling romp combining science, history, friendship, and suspense in an engaging way.

Curlfriends

Published: October 10, 2023

1 book in series so far

Charlie is the new kid for the umpteenth time, but this time things will be different. Her dad is no longer in the military, and this is a more permanent home, so she feels more pressure to find and impress some new friends. When she meets a cool group of Black girls with varying interests, she decides to hide her “babyish” style and hobbies to befriend them. But she soon learns that with true friends, you can be your whole self. This is the cute first book in a new graphic novel series about Black hair, girlfriends, fashion, and adjusting to change.

Published: January 2, 2024

After a string of issues at school, Olive’s parents drop her off at a renovated castle that is now a reform school. There, Olive meets other misfits and quickly discovers that there’s more to the school than meets the eye: it’s actually a cover for a group of crime-fighting misfits! When Olive and her friends find out that the school is at risk of closing unless they can stop a major heist, the misfits must get to work. This is a fun first book in a new series by Lisa Yee with illustrations by Dan Santat. I’m looking forward to more books in the series.

The Stupendous Switcheroo

Published: September 12, 2023

What if you woke up to new powers every day? Such is the fate of our protagonist in this graphic novel-prose hybrid. Daily, he develops and loses everything from potent superpowers like telekinesis and super speed to cute but not-so-useful ones like bubbles and speaking cat. The city’s superhero even recruits him to help fight the villains popping up everywhere. The one thing he can’t seem to figure out, though, is where his scientist mom is. As each day passes, readers follow Switcheroo one step closer to the mystery of his mom’s whereabouts and why there are so many villains around suddenly. This is an appealing graphic-prose release about superheroes, finding an identity that fits, and seeing people beyond the surface. The second book in this series is out next year.

​​President of the Whole Fifth Grade (President Series, 1)

Published: October 5, 2010

Everyone knows that Briana Justice wants to be a famous baker, but when she finds out that her role model and alumnus of her school was president of the fifth grade, Briana is convinced that that’s the path for her too. Unfortunately, a devious new student also has her eyes on the presidential office. Will Briana be tempted to play dirty just to win or will she do the right thing? I love this series and the high drama and mystery of Briana’s road to presidency (or not?). It’s perfect for kids who love dramatic frenemy stories with substance.

Out of My Mind

Published: March 9, 2010

Melody has cerebral palsy so she can’t walk or talk, but no one knows that she has a photographic memory. Kids at her school underestimate her, but Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it – somehow. This one got a surprise sequel 10 years after its release and many kids lost their minds over it.

Sunny Side Up

Published: August 25, 2015

A trip to Florida to spend time with her grandfather at his senior’s community becomes life-changing for Sunny Lewin. This is another great graphic novel series that can be read out of order. Nearly all of the books are set in a different summer and follow Sunny’s adventures. I love how funny and thoughtful this series is and I think it’s a great pick for readers who enjoy historical fiction, graphic novels, and summery stories.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

  Published: September 5, 2017

2 books in the series

Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she’ll have to answer the question over and over again. This is an inspiring, funny duology about a girl determined to blast any preconceived limits on her abilities. It also features a sweet friendship and is a great pick for kids who liked Wonder .

Published: September 27, 2016

Meet Abbie Wu. Abbie is in crisis—and not just because she’s starting middle school or because she’s stuck in a family that doesn’t quite get her or because everyone seems to have a Thing except her. Abbie Wu is always in crisis.From author and professional doodler Booki Vivat,  Frazzled  dives right into the mind of this hilariously neurotic middle school girl as she tries to figure out who she is and where she belongs. This is a quirky, funny illustrated novel perfect for fans of Dork Diaries .

Escape from Mr. Limoncello’s Library

Published: June 25, 2013

Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!

Super Pancake

Published: February 14, 2023

Set in Breakfast Town, this story is about a young Pancake who develops superhero activities after she’s exposed to a special serum. Peggy Pancake is always late for the bus, constantly losing track of time, and nowhere near as perfect as her brother. But with superpowers, can she save her town from evil and finally impress her family? This was totally delightful, funny, and perfect for kids who like kooky stories with a relatable protagonist and a dash of superheroes — perfect for reluctant readers.

The Fifth Quarter

Published: May 25, 2021

Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the   real game starts, known as the fifth quarter ,  where the not-so-good kids play and the points don’t count. That doesn’t matter to Lori though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out of place in her daily life. This is a fast-paced basketball series about perseverance, friendship, and love for the sport.

There they are: 20 of my favorite book series for 5th graders! Which of these have taken off in your class? What did I miss?

More Book Series for Kids

• Book series for 13 year olds
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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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Book Review Writing Examples

Examples: learn from the efforts of others.

Learning how to write strong reviews takes time and not a little effort. Reading the reviews others have done can help you get a feel for the flow and flavor of reviews.

If I Never Forever Endeavor Review by Hayden, age 4, Southeast Michigan Mensa

This book was about a bird who didn't yet know how to fly.

The bird has to decide if it will try to fly, but it was not sure if it wants to. The bird thought, "If I never forever endeavor" then I won't ever learn. On one wing, he worries he might fail and on the other wing he thinks of how he may succeed. He worries that if he tries, he may get lost in the world. That makes him want to stay in his nest where he's safe.

I think this book would help other children to learn that trying new things can be scary, but sometimes when we try, we can find things that make us happy too. And this book will help others know that mistakes are okay and part of learning.

My favorite part is that the bird tried and learned that she could fly. I also liked that I read this book because it gave me a chance to talk to mom about making mistakes and how I don't like making them. Then I learned they are good and part of learning.

Boys and girls who are 3 to 8 years old would like this book because it teaches about trying a new thing and how it's important to get past being scared so you can learn new things.

I give the book 5 stars since I think it's important for other children to learn about courage.

Flesh & Blood So Cheap Review by Umar B., age 8, Central New Jersy Mensa

I liked this book. People who are interested in national disasters and US history as well as immigration will most probably be interested in reading this book.

Readers can gain knowledge of what it was like to work in New York City in the early 1900s. One of the things that was especially interesting was that there were no safety laws at work. Also, there was a big contrast between the rich and the poor. Some people may not like this book because it is very depressing, but it is an important event in history to remember.

This book was very well written. It has black and white photos along with descriptions of the photos. These photos give us a better idea of what people's lives were like. This book is suitable for 9-20 year olds.

I give this book 5 stars.

Galaxy Zach: Journey to Juno Review by Young Mensan Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

Journey To Juno is the second book of the Galaxy Zack series. It is just as good as the first one. It's awesome!

Zack joins the Sprockets Academy Explorers Club at school. They fly on a special trip to Juno, a new planet no one has ever visited. Zack gets paired up with Seth, the class bully, and that's dreadful but Zack is excited when he finds a huge galaxy gemmite. A gemmite that large had not been found in 100 years! Kids will love this book!

Boys and girls will both like it. It's an easy chapter book with pictures on every page. I love the illustrations. I think ages 6-8 would like this but younger kids would like the story being read to them.

My favorite parts are the galactic blast game (it is similar to baseball except there are robots playing), recess at Zack's school where everything is 3-D holographic images, the rainbow river in a crystal cave on Juno, and the galaxy gemmite that Zack finds on Juno. I also loved when a life-size holographic image of his Earth friend appears in Zack's room because he calls him on a hyperphone. I give this book one hundred stars! There is a "to be continued" at the end so you have to read the next book see what's in store. I can't wait to find out what happens!!!

I Capture the Castle Review by Lauren W., age 17, Mensa in Georgia

Dodie Smith's novel I Capture the Castle is a journey through the mind of a young writer as she attempts to chronicle her daily life. Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain has recently learned to speed-write, and she decides to work on her writing skills by describing the actions and conversations of those around her.

Cassandra lives in a fourteenth-century English castle with an interesting cast of characters: her beautiful older sister, Rose; her rather unsociable author father and his second wife, artist-model Topaz; Stephen, the garden boy; a cat and a bull terrier; and sometimes her brother Thomas when he is home from school. One fateful day they make the acquaintance of the Cotton family, including the two sons, and a web of tangled relationships ensues.

While I definitely recommend this book to other readers, I would recommend it to older teenagers, mainly because it will resonate better with them. The writing is tame enough that younger teens could also read it, but most of the characters are adults or on the verge of adulthood. Older readers would take the most from it since they can not only relate, but they may also better pick up on and appreciate Cassandra's sometimes subtle humor.

Over the course of the novel, Cassandra undergoes a definite transformation from child to mature young adult, even though it's only over the course of several months. I love that I could see into her mindset and read exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. Her thoughts flowed well and moved the book along very quickly.

Cassandra's narrative voice is wonderful. She is serious at times, but also very witty, which makes for an engaging read. It feels absolutely real, as though I'm reading someone's actual journal. Sometimes I forget that I am reading a story and not a real-life account. Her emotions and the dialogue are so genuine, and they are spot-on for a seventeen-year-old girl in her situation.

Cassandra has many wonderful insights on life, on topics ranging from writing to faith to matters of the heart. I personally have had some of the same thoughts as Cassandra, except Ms. Smith was able to put them into words.

Capture the Castle should be essential reading for aspiring writers, those looking for historical fiction or romance, or anyone who loves reading amazing classic books. Dodie Smith is an exceptional writer, and I Capture the Castle is a book that will never become obsolete.

Frankenstein's Cat Review by Zander H., age 12, Mid-America Mensa

I appreciated Frankenstein's Cat for its fascinating explanation about the often baffling subject of bioengineering and its sister sciences. Emily Anthes explains the many sides of today's modern technology, such as gene modification, cloning, pharmaceutical products (from the farm), prosthesis, animal tag and tracking and gene cryogenics. This book provides a well-rounded summary of these complicated sciences without being boring or simply factual. Her real world examples take us on a journey from the farm, to the pet store and then from the pharmacy to the frozen arc.

Have you ever wondered if the neighborhood cat is spying on you? Read about Operation Acoustic Kitty and find out if this feline fantasy fiction or fact. Do you think bugs are creepy? What about a zombified cyborg beetle? Is Fido so special that you want two of him? Money can buy you an almost exact copy of your pooch BUT don't expect the same personality. Emily Anthes makes you crave more information. She makes you want to know the future of Earth's flora and fauna, as well as humanity itself.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who desires a guide to the future of biological science and technology. Frankenstein's Cat is best read by the light of a glow-in-the-dark fish, while cuddling your favorite cloned dog and drinking a glass of genetically modified milk.

About Marsupials Review by Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

About Marsupials is the title so the book is about...marsupials, of course. It's non-fiction. I really think everyone would like the book. I think someone who likes animals would especially like to read it.

The glossary of facts in the back of About Marsupials is the most useful part. I thought the most interesting parts were that some marsupials have their pouch at their back legs and one marsupial, the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, is very small but can jump 13 feet wide!

Kids in the 4-8 age range would like this book. Even though it's not a story book, 4 year olds would like the few words on each page and they would love the beautiful pictures. But older kids would like it because of all the facts in the back of the book. There's a lot of information for each animal. I think boys and girls (and parents) would enjoy reading it. This book is very interesting. I give it 4 stars.

Mapping the World Review by Umar A., age 10, Central New Jersey Mensa

Every day, people around the world use maps. Whether it is an airplane pilot or businessman, housewife or museum group, maps have always and will continue to provide useful information for all.

Mapping the World talks about the uses of maps, as well as how to differentiate between the type of map projection and type of map.

In this series, we travel to the past and learn about historical mapmakers, from Claudius Ptolemy (who stated the idea that the Earth is at the center of the universe) to Gerardus Mercator (who created one of the most widely used map projections) and more. This series goes into tremendous detail on the cartographer's life and maps. We then journey to the present era to learn about map projections and the diverse types of maps used today. You might ask, "What is the difference between the two? They sound the same to me." No map projection is perfect, because you cannot really flatten a sphere into a rectangle. An uncolored projection could be used in many ways. We could use it for population concentration, highways, land elevation, and so many other things!

For example, we could make a topographic map of the U.S., which shows land elevation. We could make it a colorful map that shows the amount of pollution in different areas, or it could be a population map, or it could even be a map that shows the 50 states, their capitals and borders! Our last step in this amazing excursion is the near future, where we see some hypothetical solutions as to what maps will be used for. Currently, we are working on better virtual map technology.

Now, scientists have been able to put maps on phones. Back in the early 1900s, people had to lug a lot of maps around to find your way from place to place, or just keep asking for directions. Now, all the information is on a phone or global positioning system (GPS). It is amazing how much maps have changed technology and the world in this century.

The Mapping the World 8-book set goes into amazing levels of detail. It is a long read, but it gives an immense range and amount of information that you would not find in any other book or series on maps. The flowing way the chapters and books are organized makes it easy to link passages from different books in this series together. Mapping the World is a treasure box, filled with the seeds of cartography. Collect and plant them, and you soon will have the fruits of cartography, beneficial to those who want to be cartographers. Use this series to the utmost, then the fruits of mapping will be sweet for all who endeavor to succeed in cartography.

This series of lessons was designed to meet the needs of gifted children for extension beyond the standard curriculum with the greatest ease of use for the educator. The lessons may be given to the students for individual self-guided work, or they may be taught in a classroom or a home-school setting. Assessment strategies and rubrics are included at the end of each section. The rubrics often include a column for "scholar points," which are invitations for students to extend their efforts beyond that which is required, incorporating creativity or higher level technical skills.

How to Write a Book Review: The Ultimate Guide

WHAT IS A BOOK REVIEW?

Traditionally, book reviews are evaluations of a recently published book in any genre. Usually, around the 500 to 700-word mark, they briefly describe a text’s main elements while appraising the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Published book reviews can appear in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They provide the reader with an overview of the book itself and indicate whether or not the reviewer would recommend the book to the reader.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK REVIEW?

There was a time when book reviews were a regular appearance in every quality newspaper and many periodicals. They were essential elements in whether or not a book would sell well. A review from a heavyweight critic could often be the deciding factor in whether a book became a bestseller or a damp squib. In the last few decades, however, the book review’s influence has waned considerably, with many potential book buyers preferring to consult customer reviews on Amazon, or sites like Goodreads, before buying. As a result, book review’s appearance in newspapers, journals, and digital media has become less frequent.

WHY BOTHER TEACHING STUDENTS TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS AT ALL?

Even in the heyday of the book review’s influence, few students who learned the craft of writing a book review became literary critics! The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to:

●     Engage critically with a text

●     Critically evaluate a text

●     Respond personally to a range of different writing genres

●     Improve their own reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Not to Be Confused with a Book Report!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOOK REVIEW AND A BOOK REPORT?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are clear differences in both the purpose and the format of the two genres. Generally speaking, book reports aim to give a more detailed outline of what occurs in a book. A book report on a work of fiction will tend to give a comprehensive account of the characters, major plot lines, and themes in the book. Book reports are usually written around the K-12 age range, while book reviews tend not to be undertaken by those at the younger end of this age range due to the need for the higher-level critical skills required in writing them. At their highest expression, book reviews are written at the college level and by professional critics.

Learn how to write a book review step by step with our complete guide for students and teachers by familiarizing yourself with the structure and features.

BOOK REVIEW STRUCTURE

ANALYZE Evaluate the book with a critical mind.

THOROUGHNESS The whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. Review the book as a WHOLE.

COMPARE Where appropriate compare to similar texts and genres.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? You are going to have to inevitably recommend or reject this book to potential readers.

BE CONSISTENT Take a stance and stick with it throughout your review.

FEATURES OF A BOOK REVIEW

PAST TENSE You are writing about a book you have already read.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE Whatever your stance or opinion be passionate about it. Your audience will thank you for it.

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

⭐ Make  MOVIES A MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR CURRICULUM  with this engaging collection of tasks and tools your students will love. ⭐ All the hard work is done for you with  NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

This collection of  21 INDEPENDENT TASKS  and  GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS  takes students beyond the hype, special effects and trailers to look at visual literacy from several perspectives offering DEEP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES by watching a  SERIES, DOCUMENTARY, FILM, and even  VIDEO GAMES.

ELEMENTS OF A BOOK REVIEW

As with any of the writing genres we teach our students, a book review can be helpfully explained in terms of criteria. While there is much to the ‘art’ of writing, there is also, thankfully, a lot of the nuts and bolts that can be listed too. Have students consider the following elements before writing:

●     Title: Often, the title of the book review will correspond to the title of the text itself, but there may also be some examination of the title’s relevance. How does it fit into the purpose of the work as a whole? Does it convey a message or reveal larger themes explored within the work?

●     Author: Within the book review, there may be some discussion of who the author is and what they have written before, especially if it relates to the current work being reviewed. There may be some mention of the author’s style and what they are best known for. If the author has received any awards or prizes, this may also be mentioned within the body of the review.

●     Genre: A book review will identify the genre that the book belongs to, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, romance, science-fiction, history etc. The genre will likely tie in, too with who the intended audience for the book is and what the overall purpose of the work is.

●     Book Jacket / Cover: Often, a book’s cover will contain artwork that is worthy of comment. It may contain interesting details related to the text that contribute to, or detract from, the work as a whole.

●     Structure: The book’s structure will often be heavily informed by its genre. Have students examine how the book is organized before writing their review. Does it contain a preface from a guest editor, for example? Is it written in sections or chapters? Does it have a table of contents, index, glossary etc.? While all these details may not make it into the review itself, looking at how the book is structured may reveal some interesting aspects.

●     Publisher and Price: A book review will usually contain details of who publishes the book and its cost. A review will often provide details of where the book is available too.

BOOK REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS

As students read and engage with the work they will review, they will develop a sense of the shape their review will take. This will begin with the summary. Encourage students to take notes during the reading of the work that will help them in writing the summary that will form an essential part of their review. Aspects of the book they may wish to take notes on in a work of fiction may include:

●     Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? Are they convincingly drawn? Or are they empathetic characters?

●     Themes: What are the main themes of the work? Are there recurring motifs in the work? Is the exploration of the themes deep or surface only?

●     Style: What are the key aspects of the writer’s style? How does it fit into the wider literary world?

●     Plot: What is the story’s main catalyst? What happens in the rising action? What are the story’s subplots? 

A book review will generally begin with a short summary of the work itself. However, it is important not to give too much away, remind students – no spoilers, please! For nonfiction works, this may be a summary of the main arguments of the work, again, without giving too much detail away. In a work of fiction, a book review will often summarise up to the rising action of the piece without going beyond to reveal too much!

The summary should also provide some orientation for the reader. Given the nature of the purpose of a review, it is important that students’ consider their intended audience in the writing of their review. Readers will most likely not have read the book in question and will require some orientation. This is often achieved through introductions to the main characters, themes, primary arguments etc. This will help the reader to gauge whether or not the book is of interest to them.

Once your student has summarized the work, it is time to ‘review’ in earnest. At this point, the student should begin to detail their own opinion of the book. To do this well they should:

i. Make It Personal

Often when teaching essay writing we will talk to our students about the importance of climbing up and down the ladder of abstraction. Just as it is helpful to explore large, more abstract concepts in an essay by bringing it down to Earth, in a book review, it is important that students can relate the characters, themes, ideas etc to their own lives.

Book reviews are meant to be subjective. They are opinion pieces, and opinions grow out of our experiences of life. Encourage students to link the work they are writing about to their own personal life within the body of the review. By making this personal connection to the work, students contextualize their opinions for the readers and help them to understand whether the book will be of interest to them or not in the process.

ii. Make It Universal

Just as it is important to climb down the ladder of abstraction to show how the work relates to individual life, it is important to climb upwards on the ladder too. Students should endeavor to show how the ideas explored in the book relate to the wider world. The may be in the form of the universality of the underlying themes in a work of fiction or, for example, the international implications for arguments expressed in a work of nonfiction.

iii. Support Opinions with Evidence

A book review is a subjective piece of writing by its very nature. However, just because it is subjective does not mean that opinions do not need to be justified. Make sure students understand how to back up their opinions with various forms of evidence, for example, quotations, statistics, and the use of primary and secondary sources.

EDIT AND REVISE YOUR BOOK REVIEW

As with any writing genre, encourage students to polish things up with review and revision at the end. Encourage them to proofread and check for accurate spelling throughout, with particular attention to the author’s name, character names, publisher etc. 

It is good practice too for students to double-check their use of evidence. Are statements supported? Are the statistics used correctly? Are the quotations from the text accurate? Mistakes such as these uncorrected can do great damage to the value of a book review as they can undermine the reader’s confidence in the writer’s judgement.

The discipline of writing book reviews offers students opportunities to develop their writing skills and exercise their critical faculties. Book reviews can be valuable standalone activities or serve as a part of a series of activities engaging with a central text. They can also serve as an effective springboard into later discussion work based on the ideas and issues explored in a particular book. Though the book review does not hold the sway it once did in the mind’s of the reading public, it still serves as an effective teaching tool in our classrooms today.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BOOK REVIEW GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TEMPLATE)

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Introduce your students to 21st-century learning with this GROWING BUNDLE OF 101 EDITABLE & PRINTABLE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. ✌ NO PREP REQUIRED!!! ✌ Go paperless, and let your students express their knowledge and creativity through the power of technology and collaboration inside and outside the classroom with ease.

Whilst you don’t have to have a 1:1 or BYOD classroom to benefit from this bundle, it has been purpose-built to deliver through platforms such as ✔ GOOGLE CLASSROOM, ✔ OFFICE 365, ✔ or any CLOUD-BASED LEARNING PLATFORM.

Book and Movie review writing examples (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of book reviews.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the movie or book review in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of writing a text review

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of book review writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type .

BOOK REVIEW VIDEO TUTORIALS

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BOOK REVIEWS

Transactional Writing

How to write a text response

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

How to Write Excellent Expository Essays

K-12 School Reading List

Recommended reading books for elementary, middle & high school students

Home » Reading lists for Elementary School children » 5th grade reading books for children aged 10-11

5th grade reading books for children aged 10-11

Books for grade 5. This list of recommended reading books for grade 5 has been curated and compiled by teachers and librarians to appeal to elementary school children in the 5th grade, aged 10-11. There is a range of exciting and thought-provoking books to suit all abilities, including easy readers and more advanced texts. This list of 5th-grade reading recommendations contains titles by Erin Entrada Kelly, Jason Reynolds, Kate Messner, James Patterson, Madeleine L’Engle, Tod Olson, Christine Day, R.J Palacio, E.B. White, and more.

Books for Grade 5 – our recommendations

We dream of space by erin entrada kelly.

Siblings Cash, Fitch, and Bird navigate the challenges of family turmoil, school and life in the midst of waiting for the exciting upcoming ‘teacher in space’ shuttle launch. Set against the backdrop of the Challenger disaster in 1986, this award-winning middle-grade novel explores themes of family, identity, and never giving up on your dreams. A memorable read.

Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White

The Sinister-Winterbottom twins, Theo and Alexander, and their elder sister, Wil, spend the summer at Fathoms of Fun Waterpark in this creepy middle-grade horror. Strange things happen, park officials vanish, and the twins are plunged into danger. Will they solve the clues and unravel the mystery? It’s ideal for pupils who enjoy “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

Stamped (for Kids) by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

Through engaging storytelling, Stamped (for Kids) encourages young readers to talk about racism, social justice, and equality. It explores the history of racism and antiracism in the United States with clear arguments and examples, making complex concepts accessible for 5th graders. Ideal for book clubs.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

A middle-grade story of self-discovery. Edie finds a box in the attic – full of letters – and a photo of a woman that looks like her. But her mother, who was adopted, refuses to explain further. So begins a quest to find the truth, full of difficult moments, tragedy and revelations. An important book that provides a good starting point to discuss the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act.

Historical | Diverse

The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

Filled with beautiful and evocative images, and sparing yet moving text, this picture book captures the sense of hopelessness and despair that children can sometimes feel. After walking through dark and disturbing landscapes, a beacon of hope appears in the shape of a red leaf. When dawn breaks, a red tree is revealed as a symbol of hope and renewal.

Picture book

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

When a mysterious stranger arrives at the Wallace household, Meg and Charles’ world is changed forever and they set out on a quest to find their missing father. A great science fiction mystery story.

Science Fiction | Classic

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

A fascinating story told from the point of view of Ivan, a captive gorilla. One day, after years in a cave, Ivan sees life differently when a baby Elephant arrives at the zoo. A great story about friendship.

Animal story

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Magee is an orphan child who lives with his aunt and uncle. One day he decides to run away and start on a series of heroic and unexpected achievements which change his life and his town forever.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

The classic story of Pippi, who has wild hair and an even wilder, sassy outlook on life, getting up to all sorts of mischiefs. A very funny book and ideal for reluctant readers.

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

A stunning set of stories about the orphaned Baudelaire children and the increasingly dark situations they manage to scrape through, including avoiding the money-grabbing clutches of the evil Count Olaf.

Adventure | Mystery

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

An inventive and slightly scary graphic novel about a young girl looking for new adventures who gets caught up in a strange situation that requires all her courage to escape from.

Graphic novel

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

A modern classic about little people who live unnoticed in the walls and under the floors in a country house. Charming, this book is a great read full of twists and turns.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The original and timeless pirate adventure story, full of cliffhangers and plot turns. A thrilling read from start to finish and full of unforgettable characters.

Adventure | Classic

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

A classic fantasy and allegory story, written at the turn of the 20th century. The timeless story of Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Toto, The Wizard and the Wicked Witch of the West will still resonate with middle-grade children. There’s also a series of lesser-known sequels.

Classic | Fantasy

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

When Jess and Leslie become friends through a shared love of track running, they spend time creating an imaginary world – Terabithia. But when Leslie goes there without Jess, something terrible happens and life will never be the same. A modern classic.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

A touching and thought-provoking story about Auggie, who wants to be like everyone else but struggles with how the other fifth graders react to his unique face. A great book to help children empathize with differences and understand the importance of inclusion.

Descendants series by Melissa de la Cruz

This gripping and imaginative spinoff from the Disney movies Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent is set in the world of Maleficent. High fantasy adventure and strong characters dominate this series which is great for reluctant readers who can watch the films first.

Fantasy | Adventure

Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis’s classic series of children’s fantasy books – best known for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – has captivated young readers for generations. Fantasy, good vs evil, and adventure underpin these parallel world adventures where the lead characters are middle-grade children. This is an ideal 5th-grade reading book series for the classroom.

Fantasy | Classic

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

This beautifully written novel flits between two characters and time periods – Nya, a girl in 2008 and Salva, a boy in 1985. Both live in Sudan, searching for their families and safety from war.

The Tapper Twins by Geoff Rodkey

Set in the modern digital world, the Tapper Twins Claudia and Reese are always looking to prank each other in school and online. A very funny and easy-to-read graphic/illustrated novel but also thought-provoking.

The Water and the Wild by K.E. Ormsbee

Elliot is ill and gets more and more sick by the day. Lottie doesn’t know what to do until she discovers a route to another world through the roots of an old apple tree. Although there’s plenty of danger, she hopes to find a magic cure.

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

A must-read modern classic for middle-grade children. Omri was hoping for a little more than a cheap plastic toy for his birthday. But through unexpected and old magic, the toy is turned into a real person. Can Omri keep him secret?

Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern

Benny isn’t enjoying school. He doesn’t have a friend, isn’t good at bike tricks and blames himself for things that have gone wrong at home. When he thinks things can’t get any worse, he slowly realizes his caring nature is all that he needs to survive. A great book to inspire resilience.

School story

Lost in the Pacific by Tod Olson

A gripping survival story set in WW2. When a USAF bomber runs out of fuel over the Pacific Ocean, a great war hero on a top-secret mission is in great danger. The only option is to ditch in the sea. Can the crew survive? This is a great 5th-grade reading book for reluctant readers.

Historical | Adventure

The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele

John Coggin runs away from home with sister Page to avoid a life in the family coffin-making business. But soon they find themselves in great danger. Darkly humorous, with strange and colorful characters. Ideal for grade 5 readers interested in science and making things.

Humor | STEM

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen

When Mary’s family move from the city to a farmhouse in the country, her life changes completely, and she is drawn into a simpler, kinder world full of adventure and awe. Full of happiness, this book is ideal for children interested in the outdoors and wild places.

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson

Fast-paced, with short chapters and gripping plots, this series of adventures is ideal for reluctant readers in grade 5. Think Clive Cussler style page-turners for ten-year-olds in grade 5.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

A unique series of books about a skeleton private investigator with an attitude who solves mysteries and fights crime. Edgy, but fun and easy to read. A gripping series for grade 5 readers.

Horror | Mystery

The What on Earth Timeline Collection by Christopher Lloyd

These visually stunning and huge foldout books can either be used as wall charts or room-length friezes. They are full of facts and illustrations that children can walk around to read. Quite unique, the books cover history, nature and science topics in vast detail. This is an ideal 5th-grade reading book for the classroom.

Non fiction

Stuart Little by E.B. White

Stuart Little is a mouse who has lived with his family in New York his entire life. But when his best friend Margalo disappears, he ventures outside to search. By the author of Charlotte’s Web . Perfect to read aloud in grade 5.

Classic | Animal story

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Set in the Pacific islands of Polynesia, Maftu – the son of a great chief – is afraid of the ocean. When a storm comes, he is determined to show everyone his courage. Inspiring and timeless. A great 5th-grade class reader.

Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup

Adela is a princess who would rather be a gardener than part of the royal family. When she visits the enigmatic Lady Hortensia’s spectacular garden, she realizes there’s something very strange about her plants – which flower even in fall and winter. An atmospheric and interesting novel.

Middle-grade novel

Half Upon a Time by James Riley

Jack, the son of Jack and the Beanstalk Jack, meets Princess May from the land of punk in his journey to fix his family’s bean-thieving reputation. A very funny and interesting fantasy world take on the classic children’s folk tale.

Fantasy | Fairy tale

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers

Annabel cannot bear her mother, sister and brother; chores and being told off. Longing to be an adult, one day she wakes up as her mother! But her dreams of watching TV all the time and eating whatever she likes don’t quite work out as planned.

Humor | Middle-grade novel

The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner

Charlie wishes she could catch a fish so big it would pay for an amazing dress for the next dance competition. But when she hooks a magical speaking fish that can grant wishes, things don’t go to plan at all in this hilariously funny family story of resilience and independence. A great story for grade 5 book clubs.

Fantasy | Humor

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

Rabitts Heather and Picket live in a world of power struggles, good vs evil, dynasties, treachery, and revenge in this clever combination of aminals, fantasy and quest. An ideal 5th-grade reading book for children who like animals.

Animal story | Fantasy

Almost Home by Joan Bauer

Sugar’s life is turned upside-down by the death of her grandfather and her father’s gambling. But when a new family and rescue dog Shush comes into her world, Sugar finds new and inspiring ways to survive. A heart-warming and fulfilling read.

Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foer

A stunning nonfiction guide to lesser-known wonders of the world. Stunning and vibrant illustrations make this bound to appeal to more reluctant readers. A great addition to every 5th-grade library.

Narrative non fiction

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter is an ideal series to hook a middle-grade child on reading. Easy to read and fast-paced, these gripping fantasy wizard school adventures develop in plot complexity and characterization throughout the seven books.

Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this 5th-grade book list, as well as classroom sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or stocking your school library. If you are ordering from outside the US, have a look at our ‘worldwide orders’ page which makes this process easy.

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Click for more reading recommendations – Kindergarten books |  Grade 1 books | Grade 2 books | Grade 3 books | Grade 4 books | Grade 5 books (this page)  | Grade 6 books | Grade 7 books | Grade 8 books | Grade 9 books | Grade 10 books | Grade 11 books | Grade 12 books

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40 Page-Turning 5th Grade Books Kids Love To Read

Must-reads for your tweens.

Have a group of reluctant readers? Not sure which fifth grade books to recommend? Fifth graders can be tricky to please as they’re slowly moving away from their elementary school selves and beginning to see the world in a more mature way. They’re capable of understanding and questioning texts differently than in the past. We’ve compiled a list of books that will keep your fifth grade readers engaged and chatting with one another about the lessons, questions, predictions, and thoughts they have while they read. Check out this list of favorite fifth grade books to start creating a room full of great readers!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

When Raina trips and falls and injures her two front teeth, she’s forced to have surgery and wear braces, making sixth grade even wilder than it already was. This graphic novel, based on Telgemeier’s life, has everything from boy problems to a major earthquake.

Buy it: Smile at Amazon

2. Holes by Louis Sachar

Moving and funny with an edge, Louis Sachar’s Newbery Medal–winning novel Holes revolves around Stanley Yelnats (his surname is Stanley spelled backwards), who has been sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center, to dig holes. Soon after picking up the shovel, Stanley begins to suspect that they are doing more than just moving dirt.

Buy it: Holes at Amazon

3. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

This is historical fiction at its finest. It’s the story of Esperanza, a wealthy girl living in Mexico, who must go with her family to the United States during the Great Depression. Esperanza’s life gets turned upside down, but she pushes through and learns that pleasant surprises can result from change.

Buy it: Esperanza Rising at Amazon

4. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

The hero of Wonde r is Auggie Pullman, who has an extremely rare medical facial deformity. After having undergone many facial surgeries, Auggie has been homeschooled by his mother, but soon he will be attending mainstream school for the first time. This lovely story of acceptance will have every preteen rooting for Auggie the “wonder.”

Buy it: Wonder at Amazon

5. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

”I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while.” Freak the Mighty is the tale of the unlikely friendship between Max, a strong boy with a learning disability, and Freak, a brilliant, small boy with a heart condition. Together, they are Freak the Mighty: nine feet tall and ready to conquer the world!

Buy it: Freak the Mighty at Amazon

6. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Words always swirl around in Melody’s head. But due to her cerebral palsy, they remain stuck in her brain. Out of My Mind is the powerful story of an intelligent young girl with a photographic memory who cannot communicate her thoughts. No one believes Melody is capable of learning, but she eventually finds her voice.

Buy it: Out of My Mind at Amazon

7. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Moose Flanagan isn’t growing up where most kids grow up. He is a resident of The Rock, also known as Alcatraz, the infamous prison where his father works as an electrician. In an effort to help his sister Natalie, who has autism, Moose gets help from an unlikely—and notorious—new friend.

Buy it: Al Capone Does My Shirts at Amazon

8. I Am Malala (Young Reader’s Edition) by Malala Yousafzai

Want to add memoirs to your collection of fifth grade books? The inspiring story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teen who was shot by the Taliban and subsequently became an international symbol of peaceful protest, is a must. Every preteen should hear the wisdom in the words “When you’ve nearly lost your life, a funny face in the mirror is simply proof that you are still here on this earth.”

Buy it: I Am Malala at Amazon

9. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli’s classic Maniac Magee follows an orphan boy looking for a home in a fictional town in Pennsylvania. For his feats of athleticism and fearlessness and his ignorance to the racial boundaries around him, Jeffrey “Maniac” Magee becomes something of a local legend. This timeless book is essential reading for learning about social identity and finding your place in the world. If your students haven’t yet read this classic, it’s time to add it to your collection of fifth grade books.

Buy it: Maniac Magee at Amazon

10. Baseball in April and Other Stories by Gary Soto

Gary Soto uses experiences from his own life as a Mexican American growing up in California as the inspiration for 11 stellar short stories, each describing small moments that showcase bigger themes. Crooked teeth, girls with ponytails, embarrassing relatives, and karate class all are wonderful fabric for Soto to weave the beautiful tapestry that is young Gary’s world.

Buy it: Baseball in April and Other Stories at Amazon

11. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Fifth graders will enjoy  Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel  The Secret Garden . Mary Lennox is a spoiled orphan sent to live with her uncle at his mansion full of secrets. Generations young and old love this book, which showcases the true meaning of the word family .

Buy it: The Secret Garden at Amazon

12. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Looking for more classic fifth grade books for students to read? In this story, Jess meets the smart and talented Leslie after she beats him in a race at school. Leslie transforms his world, teaching him how to have courage in the face of adversity. They create a kingdom for themselves called Terabithia, an imaginary refuge where their adventures take place. In the end, Jess has to overcome heartbreaking tragedy in order to stay strong.

Buy it: Bridge to Terabithia at Amazon

13. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the lamps that light the city are beginning to die out. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. This classic dystopian tale will light up your heart.

Buy it: The City of Ember at Amazon

14. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry’s classic The Giver begins as a utopian tale but is later revealed to be a dystopian story in every sense of the word. Jonas lives in a world where society has eliminated memories, pain, and emotional depth. When he becomes a Receiver of Memory, he struggles with new emotions he’s never before felt. And as you read, so will you!

Buy it: The Giver at Amazon

15. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry does it again! Be prepared to answer lots of questions while reading this classic must-read about Annemarie, a young girl who helps keep her Jewish friends safe during the Holocaust. The details are so precise, you will feel as if you are right in the middle of the story.

Buy it: Number the Stars at Amazon

16. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

This adventure tale is another classic for your list of fifth grade books. It’s also a great example of huge character growth. Brian must try to survive the wilderness after a plane crash, but he has only the clothes on his back, a windbreaker, and the titular hatchet. Brian learns how to fish, how to build a fire, and most importantly, patience.

Buy it: Hatchet at Amazon

17. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

History unfolds in this book set during the Civil Rights Movement when the Watsons, a family from Flint, Michigan, take a road trip to Alabama. Chock-full of family dynamics, adolescent angst, and humor, this book will encourage much discussion about what Birmingham was like in 1963.

Buy it: The Watsons Go to Birmingham at Amazon

18. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This classic diary documents the life of Anne Frank while she was in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The diary has since been published in over 60 languages. It’s a gripping and heartbreaking tale for kids and adults to read and discuss together.

Buy it: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl at Amazon

19. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Here’s another title that tops lists of classic fifth grade books. This story is an exciting tale of love and adventure that your fifth grader will never forget. Ten-year-old Billy raises hunting dogs in the Ozark Mountains. Throughout the story, young Billy encounters his share of heartbreak.

Buy it: Where the Red Fern Grows at Amazon

20. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Two heartwarming, compelling stories are woven together in this delightful tale. As 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle takes a cross-country trip with her grandparents, a story of love, loss, and the depth and complexity of human emotion is revealed.

Buy it: Walk Two Moons at Amazon

21. Restart by Gordon Korman

Restart is the story of a boy whose messy past gets a second chance in middle school. After falling off a roof and losing his memory, Chase must live life again and relearn who he was before the accident. But does he want to return to that boy? Not only does he ask who he was , now the question is who he wants to be.

Buy it: Restart at Amazon

22. Wish by Barbara O’Connor

If you’re looking for fifth grade books for animal lovers, check out this title. Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese spends her time making lists of her wishes. Not sure if they will ever come true, Charlie meets Wishbone, a stray dog who captures her heart. Charlie surprises herself in learning that sometimes the things we wish for may not be the things we actually need.

Buy it: Wish at Amazon

23. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally is able to fool everyone in each of her new schools into thinking she can read. But her newest teacher, Mr. Daniels, sees right through her. Mr. Daniels helps Ally realize that being dyslexic is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally sees the world in a whole new way.

Buy it: Fish in a Tree at Amazon

24. Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

This is a story about courage and challenges as Kek comes from Africa to the United States, where he has very little family. America is a strange place to him as he sees and learns about things like snow for the first time. Slowly, Kek builds new friendships and learns to love his new country as he toughs out the Minnesota winter.

Buy it: Home of the Brave at Amazon

25. The Journey That Saved Curious George by Louise Borden

Fifth grade students might be too old to read Curious George picture books, but this nonfiction book about its authors is perfect for an older audience. In 1940, Hans and Margret Rey fled their Paris home as the German army advanced during World War II. This began their journey to safety all while carrying children’s book manuscripts among their few possessions. Read and learn about this amazing story that brought the beloved Curious George to the world, with original photos!

Buy it: The Journey That Saved Curious George at Amazon

26. Rules by Cynthia Lord

Twelve year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Growing up in a home with a severely autistic brother makes things really difficult. Catherine is determined to teach her brother David the “rules of life” to prevent his embarrassing behaviors in public and make her life more “normal.” Everything changes during the summer when Catherine meets some new friends, and now she must ask herself: What is normal ?

Buy it: Rules at Amazon

27. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

One fifth grade class is about to embark on a year like no other as their teacher, Mr. Terupt, changes the way they view school. While Mr. Terupt helps each student achieve their fifth grade goals, the students learn it’s Mr. Terupt who needs their help the most. This book is the first of a three-book series your students will not want to put down!

Buy it: Because of Mr. Terupt at Amazon

28. Mixed Up by Gordon Korman

NY Times bestselling author Gordon Korman has done it again! Just released in 2023, Korman tells the story of two boys who are having strange flashbacks of memories that don’t seem to belong to them. At the same time, their own memories seem to be vanishing! What could possibly be happening?

Buy it: Mixed Up at Amazon

29. Posted by John David Anderson

Fifth grade is a year of growth for students. Many kids start to deal with social issues in the classroom, at recess, and on social media. This story addresses the realities most of these kids face: bullying, broken friendships, and failures of communication between kids.

Buy it: Posted at Amazon

30. Eleven by Tom Rogers

If you are looking to learn and read about the lessons of 9/11 with your students, you must check this out. Alex Douglas’ birthday is September 11. Little does he know that turning 11 on this day will be such a big deal. Never would he have imagined so much could happen on one day. Read how Alex Douglas, the boy who always wanted to be a hero, learns an unexpected lesson.

Buy it: Eleven at Amazon

31. Odder by Katherine Applegate

Looking for new Katherine Applegate titles (The One and Only Ivan , Crenshaw ) to add to your collection of fifth grade books? Released in 2022, this book quickly became a NY Times bestseller. This is the story of a fearless sea otter who spends her days twirling and spinning underwater off the coast of central California. When she suddenly comes to face to face with a great white shark, she must challenge everything she believes about herself and the humans trying to save her. Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers.

Buy it: Odder at Amazon

32. The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

Looking for something a bit more science- or STEM-related? Ellie is an 11-year-old who doesn’t like change. She misses her best friend, fifth grade, and even her last goldfish. One day, an odd boy shows up who reminds her of her grandpa Melvin, a quirky scientist. This book delves into the wonder of science and explores questions about life and death, family and friendship, and possibility.

Buy it: The Fourteenth Goldfish at Amazon

33. Best Nerds Forever by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

One minute Finn is biking home from school and the next minute he is run off the road by a maniac in a big van. Now, Finn is a ghost and is enjoying doing lots of fun things that only ghosts can do. But he still has lots of questions: Who wanted him dead? Can he stop it from happening to others?

Buy it: Best Nerds Forever at Amazon

34. Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

This is a beautiful story of learning to love the family you have. Delsie lives with her grandmother and lately wishes she could have a “regular family.” After her old friend abandons her, Delsie befriends Ronan, who has endured trouble of his own. This book is a story of their adventures, where they learn what it means to be broken versus whole, abandoned versus loved, and much more.

Buy it: Shouting at the Rain at Amazon

35. The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Lolly Rachpaul and his mom are still mourning the death of his older brother in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then, Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything—bags and bags of LEGO bricks. When he is pressured to join a “crew” as his brother did, Lolly is faced with deciding what will be his safest choice. He falls back on his new gift to help him find an escape from the world he lives in.

Buy it: The Stars Beneath Our Feet at Amazon

36. The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry

This is a hilarious adventure told in the voice of eighth grader Wyatt Palmer as he and his friends find themselves in huge trouble on their class trip to Washington, D.C. Not just trouble with their teachers, but from some mysterious men they meet on their flight. Hop on board as they try to stay out of danger and, oh … save the president of the United States!

Buy it: The Worst Class Trip Ever at Amazon

37. Linked by Gordon Korman

Link, Michael, and Dana live in a quiet town. One day, a swastika is found on the school property. Nobody can believe it. How could such a symbol of hate end up in their middle school? There are many suspects, and everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else. The students struggle to figure out a way to bring people together as opposed to dividing them even further.

Buy it: Linked at Amazon

38. Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee

Science plus real-life mystery! Learn about incredible accidental finds that changed history. This book will take you on an adventure to find the most surprising discoveries made by ordinary people. You’ll find kings buried under parking lots, ancient skeletons, and a boy who found a bunch of old scrolls while searching for his lost goats!

Buy it: Accidental Archaeologists at Amazon

39. Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh

You wouldn’t believe how many everyday items and foods were invented by women! What inspired them? How did they turn their ideas into reality? This book will take you through women inventors young and old with the most gorgeous illustrations! This nonfiction title geared toward girls is a perfect addition to your collection of fifth grade books.

Buy it: Girls Think of Everything at Amazon

40. When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

A magical tiger arrives in Lily’s life—straight from the Korean folktales Lily’s heard over and over. She begins to unravel a secret family history and learns her grandmother’s health depends on a deal she must make with the tigers of the past. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister, Lily must find a way to stand up to the tiger with courage.

Buy it: When You Trap a Tiger at Amazon

Love these fifth grade books? Check out our list of realistic fiction books that kids will love!

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20 Chapter Books To Inspire Fifth Graders

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26 of the Best Books for 5th Graders

P.N. Hinton

Born into a family of readers, P.N. gained a love reading as a sort of herd mentality. This love of reading has remained a life long passion, resulting in an English Degree from The University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She normally reads three to four books at any given time, in the futile Sisyphean hope of whittling down her ever growing to be read pile of no specific genre.

View All posts by P.N. Hinton

For me 5th grade is one of those precipice years, a time when books for 5th graders are so important. You’re about to move from elementary school to middle school. Sixth grade is arguably the first year where you are your own captain, as it’s up to you to get your assignments in on time, as your teachers won’t constantly remind you to turn in work, like they do in elementary school. You’re also thrown into a sea of like-minded peers who are swimming through the onslaught of being the small fish in a new pond of like-minded peers who are also dealing with the onslaught of new responsibilities and hormones.

It’s a lot.

My own experience was especially difficult due to going to a brand new school for my 5th grade year, which I do not recommend. As previously mentioned, though, books helped me through this as they have helped me through other difficult situations. There are books for 5th graders that can help your young ones enjoy their new position as the big people on campus, brief as though it may be. The ones that can help you prepare for the new world of middle school. Then there are books you just read to enjoy them. Below are a few books that may interest your own 5th grade book dragons.

As a quick side note, some of these books do have protagonists that are above 5th grade. My own tendency to read ‘above my grade level’ shone through in that regard. As I mentioned, I feel the 5th grade is a level that straddles a lot of lines. Some of the books for 5th graders mentioned here really highlight that. Ultimately, though, you know what reading material is best for the young book dragon in your life and can plan and gift accordingly.

General Fiction Books For 5th Graders

Nothing’s fair in fifth grade by barthe declements.

This book was first published 1981, although the more modern cover may lead you to think otherwise. However, it is still a relevant coming-of-age tale about Jenny and Elsie. Jenny has to learn a lesson about not judging by appearances alone. While many people compare this to Judy Blume’s Blubber , it stands out in that we get to know more about Elsie personally, which we didn’t get with Linda. There are other books in this series as well, but this one is a good choice for 5th graders as they prepare for the new world of middle school.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston

Brianna has dreams of owning her own cupcake company. Her first step towards this is becoming her class president. When she is faced with competition for this role from her classmate Jasmine, she has to decide if she is going to win fairly or use underhanded tactics. This is a good moral lesson for all of us, regardless of age and shows that as determined as we may be, being a good person should overrule everything else.

Frindle by Andrew Clements

Nicholas Allen is a boy of many ideas that have gotten him a bit of hot water in the past. Fifth grade will be different though; until he decides to rename ‘pen’ to ‘frindle’. What started as an innocent decision eventually spreads through the school, the town, and eventually across the country. Can Nick stop it before it possibly spreads to the world?

Fantasy Books For 5th Graders

Tristan strong punches a hole in the sky by kwame mbalia.

Tristan is sent to his grandparents’ house in Alabama for the summer to process the loss of his best friend. He takes along his friend’s journal, full of the stories that he wrote. One night it gets stolen and in the tussle to get it back, he ends up punching a hole in the universe. It’s up to him, Black American folk heroes John Henry and Brer Rabbit, and trickster god Anansi to seal the chasm and save the world.

I’m putting this on the list because it sounds awesome. While technically the lead character is in 7th grade, if you have a 5th grader who reads above their level, they would enjoy this book.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

A mixture of fantasy and Chinese folklore, this book is about Minli who spends years listening to her father tell tales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man in the Moon. She in inspired to go on her own quest to find the latter, who knows the answer to everything, to help turn her family’s luck around.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Fair warning that Artemis is a bit of an antihero, and even that description is generous in my opinion. I mean, the first book involves him kidnapping a fairy for ransom to help store his family’s fortune and triggering a cross-species war. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the stories involving this criminal mastermind are extremely engaging, with their marriage of fantasy and technology. That is one of the many things that fascinated me since you typically only find books that lean hard one way or the other.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah is a girl who has a tendency to exaggerate her stories when speaking to her classmates. This trait leads her to light the Lamp of Bharata, which is said to be cursed, after three classmates call her bluff. Doing so releases an entity known as the Sleeper, who is duty-bound to awaken the God of Destruction. It’s up to Aru to save her classmates, her mother, and the world by finding the five reincarnations of the legendary Pandava brothers and trekking through the Kingdom of Death.

Mystery Books For 5th Graders

Escape from mr. lemoncello’s library by chris grabenstein.

Kyle loves games, but reading? Not so much. But when he finds out that world-famous game maker Luigi Lemoncello has designed the town’s new library? And that opening night is an invitation-only lock in? He’s determined to be there. Only to discover that getting out of the library is going to be tricky due to a puzzle hunt game that the designer has implemented that must be won before the kids can leave.

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Another mystery that involves puzzles and books, this stars Emily and her new friend James. After her move to San Francisco, home city of literary idol Garrison Griswold, Emily discovers that he has been attacked and left in a coma. This is all without anyone knowing about the epic new game he was supposed to launch. When an old book is discovered that the kids think is tied to his new game, they are on the case to find out what it is and who his attackers were.

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

This book is about Cass and Max Ernes, who somehow end up with a mysterious box of vials known as the Symphony of Smells. This sends them on the trail of a magician who has disappeared into thin (and stinky) air and onto the path of an adventure. That’s about all the information I can give you since the plot, much like the title, is a secret.

Graphic Novels For 5th Graders

The baby-sitter’s club graphix by ann m. martin and raina telgemeier.

I love that revitalization this series got with the release of these graphic novels. That plus the upcoming Netflix series? My inner child is squeeing hardcore. The first in this series is of course Kristy’s Great Idea , wherein Kristy correctly thinks how easier it would be for parents to call one number for a choice of multiple babysitters. The rest, as they say, is history.

Big Nate in a Class By Himself by Lincoln Peirce

The first book in a long-running series about Nate, a boy who is just trying to survive his dad’s toxic oatmeal and the pitfalls of schools. By no means the teacher’s pet, Nate is learning how to dodge bullies, his teachers, and his arch-nemesis Gina all while staying his pretty awesome self.

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker hero by Rachel Renee Russell

This is one of the books where the main character is a bit above the 5th grade level. However, he is also facing the challenge of going into middle school for the first time, something I feel that a lot of 5th graders can sympathize with. It also doesn’t help that the school bully seems to have Max directly in his line of sight as his new victim. This spin-off from the Dork Diaries author is something I feel will speak to young readers who have middle school anxiety.

Horror Books For 5th Graders

The jumbies by tracey baptiste.

Corinne LaMer is fearless; She’s not even scared of the Jumbies that her parents tell tales about. Heck, she doesn’t even believe they exist! However, when one appears to follow her home one night and insinuates themself into her life, she begins to change her mind. Corinne and her friends have to reach deep inside themselves for courage, as well as magical ability they didn’t know they had, to save their island home from these tricksters.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

This ghost story was one of my favorites growing up! Molly and her brother Michael are finding it difficult to adjust to their new stepfather and bratty stepsister Heather. When the family moves to an old church turned house in the country, it comes complete with a ghostly friend for Heather. However, Helen is not a friendly ghost. Molly and Michael wait in fear of what will happen if she actually comes for them.

The Dark-Thirty:Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia C. McKissack

This collection of original short stories is inspired by African American history and take place from the time of slavery through the civil rights movement. It isn’t to be missed as it will make a lasting impression on the reader. This is one that I read and I thoroughly enjoy and recommend for all readers, regardless of age.

Historical Fiction Books For 5th Graders

Bud, not buddy by christopher paul curtis.

After his mother’s death, 10-year-old Bud (not Buddy) sets off on a road trip to find his father. Nothing will stop him from this task. Set in 1936 Flint Michigan, this story will help open up discussion for a difficult time in our country’s history, and may help kids to realize how fortunate they may be in comparison to others.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

In 1943 Copenhagen, when Jewish people are being ‘relocated’, Ellen Rosen moves in with her friend Annemarie Johansen and pretends to be one of the family. Then Annemarie is tasked with a dangerous mission to help save her friend’s life. A staple of most elementary schools, this book will help to show the strength of friendship.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

This book is the first in the series about Cassie Logan and her family. The debut takes place in Mississippi during the Depression. Throughout it, Cassie learns the importance of her family owning their own land as well as struggles in the ugly face of racism, oppression, and social injustice. This one is a hard read so you may want to pre-read or buddy read. It will create an opportunity to answer any questions these complex topics. This is a book every person should read at least once in their life.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

This book is set during the Great Depression and tells the story of Esperanza, who lives a life of privilege on a Mexican ranch. After an unexpected tragedy, she and her mother move to a California Mexican Labor camp. Suddenly, her existence is unwelcome. Then her mother gets sick and the rest of the labor camp goes on strike for better working conditions. Esperanza has to discover her inner strength for both her mother and herself.

Funny Books For 5th Graders

There’s a boys in the girls’ bathroom by louis sachar.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure which Sachar book was going to the win a place on the list. All of them remind me of childhood. However I’m going with this one because it actually takes place in 5th grade. And I think kids will identify with Bradley, no matter what their personal circumstances are. Fifth grade can be a tough year. Especially if you’re the oldest in your class like Bradley is. And when it seems that everyone, except for the new school counselor, has given up on you. This book helps to show that believing in yourself, while difficult sometimes, is a great way to approach life.

11 Birthdays: A Wish Novel By Wendy Mass

Amanda was so excited for her 11th birthday, believing that the year was going to be so different from 10. Then she and her best friend Leo have a falling out. For the first time ever, they don’t celebrate their birthdays together. When she goes to sleep that night she’s happy that the day is over, only to wake up to her 11th birthday again! How long will this cycle go on and what is Amanda going to learn from it?

The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of School by Ken Derby

Anthony Madison, or Tony Baloney if you prefer, loves The Late Show with David Letterman . So much so that he will stop at nothing to get there. Putting his own spin on the Top Ten list, Tony goes all out with his antics in his desire to get to New York City. This book was originally titled The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade.

Classic Books For 5th Graders

The westing game by ellen raskin.

A group of 16 people are gathered at the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. What follows is a puzzle hunt for his fortune in one final game from the eccentric millionaire. This one has been delighting readers for years and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Claudia and her brother Jamie decide to run away, and they have a very specific place in mind: the Metropolitan Museum in New York. They just happen to run away in the middle of the biggest mystery to make the headlines. This is a book most of us remember reading in 5th grade. I’m all for keeping the tradition alive.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

I know. I know . This book is heartbreaking. However, there is a reason that it has stood the test of time since it was first published in 1977. It was also given new life with the big screen adaptation in 2007. This book deals with a very hard topic in a very good way that kids can understand. It’s one of the staples of childhood literature and will continue to be.

I hope that this helped you to think of some books for the 5th graders in your life. Once they progress past these books, check out our recommendations for the best middle grade graphic novels or fantastic middle grade books by black authors .

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The Guide to 5th Grade: Reading and Writing

Review reading and writing curricula for 5th grade, including what to expect and the books and activities you can use to support learning..

Your child is about to enter what’s often considered the last year of elementary school — and will soon be exploring middle school curriculum! That’s why 5th grade is an extremely important time for students to cement the skills they have gained throughout the upper grades and lay a solid foundation for the years ahead.

In short, this year is all about helping students practice, refine, and grow their skills. Students build on what they learned in 4th grade by analyzing material in deeper ways, and write structured, clear, and detailed pieces about a variety of subjects. They are encouraged and expected to be more independent in their learning, and to require less guidance and support from teachers and other adults. For instance, when a student is asked to research a topic, they should know what to do to accomplish that (even if they need a little help from a teacher along the way).

Read on for what to expect this year, and shop all fifth grade resources at The Scholastic Store . 

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Fifth Grade Reading

Most of the 5th grade reading curriculum focuses on teaching students to understand and develop ideas about the texts they read. Fifth graders learn to support their ideas using specific details from books, and are expected to think carefully about (and ultimately use) quotes, facts, and events to develop opinions about a text and explain it. Students practice this as they read texts together as a class and independently, and their teachers often show them specific strategies they can use to do this. Fifth graders also expand these skills as they write extensively about what they read in every subject.

To build reading skills, your fifth grader :

• Begins to use direct quotes from texts to explain and prove ideas about the reading.
• Reads a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
• Uses details from the text to summarize it, identity the main idea or theme, compare characters or events, or compare different texts of the same genre.
• Interprets and understands metaphors and comparisons made in a text.
• Identifies an author or narrator’s point of view and explains how this affects the content of a text.
• Compares multiple perspectives on the same event, idea, or theme.
• Uses the context of a text to determine the meaning of unknown words.
• Uses technology and digital media to further their understanding of a topic and to find answers to their questions.
• Gathers information about a topic from multiple sources.

Fifth Grade Reading Activities

Start a Book Club : It can include family members, your child’s friends and their parents, or just the two of you. Select a book together and establish small reading assignments (perhaps one or two chapters per week). Talk about the book's themes, using concrete examples you find in the text. After you finish one book, pick another by the same author about a similar topic (or in the same genre) and compare the two.

Gain Perspective : Read two different texts about an event you and your child attended (or you can each write your own personal account of it). Ask your child to compare the differences in the perspectives they are written from.

Read and Research : Help your child come up with a question about a topic of interest, and work together to explore a variety of sources for the answer. Use technology, books (such as the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary !), magazines, newspapers, and, if relevant, poetry and fiction.

Fifth Grade Writing

Fifth graders build on the skills they learned in 4th grade to become clearer and more developed writers. They pursue many different kinds of pieces covering a variety of topics, and use details and organization to strengthen their writing. As they work on pieces in class, students are taught to use writing to share their own unique ideas and perspectives — not just those of others.   

To build writing skills, your fifth grader :

•  an introduction and conclusion
• a logical and clear structure
• evidence that supports the author’s opinion
• explain a topic using details such as definitions, quotations, and facts
• include an introduction and conclusion
• introduce and describe an event in a logical way
• use details such as dialogue, thoughts, and emotions
• provide a conclusion
• Plans, revises, and edits their writing.
• Thinks about the best way to approach their writing and tries different ways to do so — such as writing in a different tense, or from a different perspective.
• Uses technology (under adult supervision) to publish writing, research, and communicate with others.
• Types at least two pages of text in one sitting.
• Uses multiple sources to write and create a research project.
• Takes notes on information and cites the sources used.
• Writes pieces that take long periods of time (a few weeks) and short periods of time (one sitting or a couple of days).

Fifth Grade Writing Activities

Practice Typing : Experiment with the many different ways your child might do this — for instance, they can play typing games, type something they have written, or transcribe a conversation you have together.

Edit, Edit, Edit : You and your child can both write your own pieces, or your child can choose a short piece of writing from another source. Whatever they choose, ask your child to “revise” or “edit” the text, aiming to improve it by adding more detail and descriptions.

Pick a New Perspective : Use a piece you or your child wrote or pick a text written by someone else, like a short story or article. Ask your child to rewrite the piece from a different perspective, like that of another character in the story or a person who witnessed the event. Talk to your child about the differences in those perspectives.

Shop the best resources for fourth grade below! You can find all books and activities at  The Scholastic Store . 

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• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade  
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
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Your 5th Grade Book Checklist

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Book Review Template

About this printout

Students can use this template as a means of communicating about a book that they have read.

Teaching with this printout

More ideas to try.

As students begin reading books at a young age, it is important to teach them to communicate their thoughts and ideas about the books they read.  This template is a good way to teach students to begin putting their thoughts on a text into written form.  Students will be able to process the information they read in a given text and process their ideas.  Additionally, the Book Review Template allows the teacher to check a student's comprehension of a certain text to assess and inform instruction.

• Create a bulletin board with book reviews done by different students.  The bulletin board can be organized by different genres of books or in other ways that are useful to students. Students can use this bulletin board as a way to read about their peers' thoughts on different books and to find books that they, too, might enjoy reading. 
• At the beginning of the school year, do a read aloud and have students each do a book review on the same book that was read to the class. Have select students share their book reviews and/or thoughts on a book.  Follow up by having a class discussion about why all of the book reviews are not alike, even though they were done on the same book.  This discussion will familiarize students with different opinions and thoughts on the same books, and will also give struggling students a more concrete idea of how to do future book reviews on their own.
• Print this resource

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25 Best Books for 5th Graders: Making Reading Fun for Kids

Best Books for 5th Graders: General Fiction

Best non-fiction books for 5th graders, top rated books for 5th graders on adventure, best fantasy books for 5th graders, best historical fiction books for 5th graders.

Fifth grade is a vital milestone in a child’s life. They are still in elementary school but mentally prepared for middle school. Thus, it is the perfect time to introduce your kids to some advanced reading. All you need is good reading books for 5th graders , and you can enhance your child’s literary horizon. 

However, check your 5th grader’s reading level and areas of interest; this can help you select the books for them. Usually, 5th graders have advanced reading levels unless they struggle to read due to problems like dyslexia, autism, etc.

In this article, we’ve picked the best 25 books for fifth graders across various niches like fiction, non-fiction, mystery, etc. So, let’s look at some good books to read for 5th graders that your kids will love.

Here are some more online reading games to educate and engage your kids!

25 Books for 5th Graders to Learn and Take Inspiration From

Based on the general reading level, here are some popular books for 5th graders: 

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Subject: Prejudice, Self-acceptance, Friendship, Bullying

Amazon Ratings: 4.6/5

Price: $9.67

R.J. Palacio wrote a beautiful piece of children’s literature based on a real-life incident. The book is inspired by an incident when the writer’s son started to cry after seeing a girl with a facial deformity. Palacio attempted to remove his son from the situation so the girl and her family wouldn’t feel hurt, but it worsened the situation. Later, taking inspiration from Natalie Merchant’s song, she penned this book for 5th graders to teach them a valuable lesson on friendship, acceptance, and bullying. 

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

2. New Kid by Jerry Craft

Subject: Racism

Amazon Ratings: 4.7/5

Price: $8.64

This is a graphic novel that will help your fifth-grader understand how racism still exists in our modern society. The story revolves around a seventh-grade student, Jordan, who experiences a culture shock after enrolling in a private school. This book talks about a critical issue – how American Africans still struggle to fit into society. It also talks about a child’s experience in a new academic environment.

3. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Subject: Disability, Acceptance

Price: $7.49

This is an excellent book to read for 5th graders because it talks about acceptance and celebrating disability. The book is narrated by Melody, who has cerebral palsy. She is a smart girl, but her inability to express her thoughts physically and verbally makes her an odd one out in the crowd. However, when she enters the fifth grade, she gets a machine to communicate with others. That’s when people realized how intelligent she was.

4. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

Subject: Resourcefulness, Determination, and Presence of Mind

Price: $5.99

You can encourage your fifth grader to read this book to enhance their knowledge about the 19th century. This is the story of Anne, a 14-year-old orphan. She is mistakenly adopted by two siblings who want to adopt a boy to help them around their farm. It is a beautiful tale of how she wins everyone’s hearts with her dramatic and intelligent character. She is a determined person who is ready to take on any challenge. Your child will learn a lot from her adventurous story.

5. Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade by Barthe Declemente 

Subject: Judging, Bullying, Physical Appearance 

Price: $7.99

Do you want to teach your fifth graders never to judge someone based on their physical appearance? If so, Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade is the perfect tool. It is the story of two fifth-graders, Jane and Elise. Elise is a plump girl. Therefore, Jane assumed she had stolen book club money to buy lunch. The story teaches how bullying can impact someone, why children shouldn’t do it, and how those who face or witness it should stand up against bullies. 

6. Accidental Archeologists: True Stories of Unexpected DIscoveries by Sarah Albee 

Subject: Archaeological Stories

Amazon Ratings: 4.5/5

Price: $9.79

If you’re looking for fun books for 5th graders, this is a great find with amazing graphics and gripping adventures. The book will hook children with its simple writing and fantastic science-meets-reality stories from the first page. In addition, children can learn about various historical discoveries from this book, like the discovery of The Rosetta Stone, a fought-over golden Buddha statue, a 5300-year-old mummy, and many more.

7. Do You Know Where the Animals Live? by Peter Wohlleben 

Subject: Animal Science 

Price: $15.59

New York Times bestselling author, Peter Wohlleben, has created a fantastic visual book for young children to learn about animals. Your child will learn about different animals and their habitats in a question-answer style. The book contains questions like – Are worms afraid of the rain? Do fish use farts to communicate? Two pages are dedicated to interesting information and colorful illustrations to answer every question.

8. The Dictionary of Difficult Words by Jane Solomon 

Subject: Improving Vocabulary 

Amazon Ratings: 4.9/5

Price: $16.69

This is a popular book for 5th graders to improve their English vocabulary. You will find some unique and modern English words in this book with clear illustrations. Children will become wordsmiths with over 400 unique word collections like bubble shoot, a moonbow, haberdashery, ichthyologist, Luddite, etc. 

9. What Breathes Through Its Butt? Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered by Dr. Emily Grossman 

Subject: Science 

Price: $15.39

This is an interactive and fun book for 5th graders or even younger children. It contains everyday science questions such as; why is your elbow called your funny bone? How could you escape the grip of a crocodile’s jaw? Which animal can breathe through its butt? This book’s handwriting, cool emojis, and graphics are engaging and will appeal to kids. 

10. Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh 

Subject: Biography 

Price: $9.99

An award-winning author and illustrator collaborate to create this graphical biographic book. It is a fictional narration of real stories, including suspense and thriller. Catherine Thimmesh has successfully made boring and mundane biographies into exciting and innovative stories. Most biographies are of women who have discovered something remarkable in their lives.

11. Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady 

Subject: Virtual Action

Price: $4.99

This is a fun and adventure-loaded book for your enthusiastic fifth grader. The book’s storyline revolves around a 12-year-old boy who likes to play video games with his friend. As they were about to complete a high level in the game, they suddenly found themselves inside it. The book is about how these two friends enter a video game and find their way out.

12. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 

Subject: Self-Dependence, Confidence, Problem-Solving

Price: $6.10

This book has a strong message of self-dependence. It is the story of a young boy, Brian Roberson, who travels from New York to Canada to visit his grandfather. However, his plane crashes midway, and he finds himself on the banks of a wild lake in Canada. The story follows the adventurous journey of Brian and how he learned to hunt, start a fire, and survive in the wild. All with the one tool Brian has with him – a hatchet. 

13. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George 

Subject: Solitude, Survival, Balance 

Amazon Ratings: 4.8/5

Price: $7.59

This is an illustrated novel based on 12-year-old Sam Gribley. He doesn’t like living in his crowded family apartment. So, he moves to his grandfather’s abandoned farmhouse in the Catskill Mountains. Sam must rely on his survival skills to reach the farmhouse and hunt animals for food. Throughout the story, Sam encounters several challenges. In the end, he decides to balance solitude and his family. 

14. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 

Subject: Time Management, Boredom 

Amazon Ratings: 4.8/5 

Price: $7.78

This is the story of a boy named Milo, who has a room full of toys and books but is still bored. Then, one day, he sees a magical tollbooth appear in his room out of the blue. Out of boredom, Milo drives through the tollbooth in his toy car and lands in the Kingdom of Wisdom. He travels through the kingdom and rescues two beautiful princesses, Rhyme and Reason. 

He also goes to the Island of Conclusions, which you can reach by jumping. He soon learns life is anything but boring. It is an enjoyable read for 5th graders centered around the love for learning. 

15. Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss 

Subject: Friendship, Family, Forgiveness 

Price: $8.99

New York Times bestseller author, Jennifer Chambliss, has written this book starring Emily and her friend James. After moving to San Francisco, home of her literary idol Garrison Griswold, she discovers that he has been attacked and left in a coma. So, she starts an adventure with her friend to find out who has attacked Griswold. It is an action and suspense-filled book to capture students’ interests. 

16. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Subject: Responsibility 

Price: $6.81

This fantasy story begins when a pilot crashes in the Sahara desert. While fixing his plane, the pilot meets a young and curious boy. The young boy tells the pilot he is a prince who has embarked on an adventure to seek knowledge to understand his planet better. The book is philosophical from a child’s perspective and can help to develop your child’s interest in literature. 

17. The Hobbit by J.R.R. 

Subject: Take Risk, Come out of Comfort Zone

Price: $11.91

This classic book follows Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and respectful hobbit. He goes on an adventure to get a treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. The kids will enjoy Bilbo’s journey, different characters, and the exciting adventures in the story. 

18. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin 

Subject: Gratitude 

Price: $13.78

The book revolves around a 10-year-old spirited girl, Minli. She is adventurous and loves her family, who struggle to make ends meet. One day, she sets out on a quest to bring good fortune to her family and the village. Along the way, she makes new friends – a dragon, a poor boy, and a prince. The tale of how they find the fortune will engage and entertain your kids and give them a valuable lesson on kindness. 

19. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle 

Subject: Love, Self-value

Amazon Ratings: 4.4/5

Price: $8.49

This is a fantasy story of Meg, whose father has been missing for two days. One night, Meg and her brother meet Mrs. Whatsit, their eccentric neighbor. She learns about The Tesseract, the power to transport to the universe by folding time and space. Meg embarks on a magical journey to find her father along with her brother and classmate. It is a wonderful book about love, individuality, and imagination. 

20. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 

Subject: Unitedness 

This story revolves around four siblings – Peter, Lucy, Susan, and Edmund. They enter the enchanted land of Narnia from an old wardrobe. Once there, they realize that all of this was destined, and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen – the White Witch.

21. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell 

Subject: Redemption, Belongingness 

Price: $6.78

This is a children’s novel about a girl named Karana. She is on a journey of self-discovery as she is stranded alone on the island her tribe used to live on for years. She finds solace among the island’s animals and learns how to survive and care for the world. This is a good book for 5th graders to teach them the importance of hanging out with the people who support you and allow you to grow as a person. 

22. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 

Subject: Difficulties of Growing Up 

The story revolves around Annemarie, who is 10 years old and lives in Copenhagen with her family in 1943. During World War 2, she risks her life to help her Jewish friend escape the Nazis. This book teaches 5th graders about World War II events in a simple story form. 

23. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan 

Subject: Love, Struggles, Sacrifice 

Price: $5.34

This is a fictional book for young adults following Esperanza. She is the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Mexico. However, her family meets with a tragedy, and they fly to the United States during the great depression and adjust to their new life as farm workers. The story helps children understand how wealth is never more important than family and friends. 

24. The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 

Subject: Friendship, Adolescence, Family 

Amazon Ratings: 4.7/5 

This book focuses on the turbulent times during the civil rights movement. It is the story of a 10-year-old African-American boy living with his parents, brother, and sister in Michigan. When his brother gets into trouble, his parents send them to live with their grandparents in Alabama. The book talks about frightening events, strong language, and racism. Thus, it is best to read it with your child. 

25. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly 

Subject: Female Empowerment 

The story is about Callie, who has just turned twelve. She struggles to meet her mother’s and society’s expectations for women in 1899. One day, she borrows her grandfather’s copy of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This sparked her interest in Darwin’s theory of evolution and new inventions. So she spent her days cooking and sewing while learning evolution in her free time.

Pick a Book and Get Started!

There you have it; 25 really good books for 5th graders covering different genres. Now, based on your child’s interest and reading level, pick the best ones to improve their vocabulary, and knowledge and develop a reading habit .

Explore more online educational resources for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best genres for 5th graders to read.

Fifth graders are advanced readers capable of understanding complex texts. Thus, parents and teachers should try introducing different genres like fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, poetry, and more.

What are the benefits of reading for 5th Graders?

Reading is vital for children of all ages. However, fifth-grade students need to read more often because:

• It helps improve their creativity and imagination .
• Develops their vocabulary.
• Boosts memory.
• Enhances concentration and attention span.
• Improves writing skills.
• Reduces stress and relaxes their mind.

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Best Reading Books for 5th Grade Students

Fifth grade is a crucial year for young readers. It’s when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. The right books can help foster a love of reading and improve literacy skills.

When selecting books for fifth graders, it’s important to consider their interests and reading level. Many fifth graders enjoy books with relatable characters, humor, and adventure.

We spent hours researching and testing various books to identify the best reading books for fifth graders. One critical factor to consider is the reading level, as books that are too challenging or too easy can discourage young readers.

With our expertise, we’ve compiled a list of the top reading books for fifth graders that are engaging, age-appropriate, and sure to keep young readers turning the pages.

Best Reading Books for 5th Grade

We have compiled a list of the best reading books for 5th grade students. These books are carefully selected to help students improve their reading skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Whether your child is an avid reader or just starting to explore the world of books, our list has something for everyone. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our top picks for the best reading books for 5th grade students.

Reading Comprehension Grade 5

We highly recommend the Reading Comprehension Grade 5 book by Teacher Created Resources to anyone looking for effective resources to help their 5th graders master reading comprehension skills.

• The book provides a wide variety of reading passages that cover different genres and subjects, making it an engaging resource for students.
• The activities in the book are well-structured and provide ample opportunities for students to practice their reading comprehension skills independently or in a classroom setting.
• The book also includes practice for standardized tests, which is a great added bonus for students who need to prepare for such assessments.
• Some of the passages may be too easy or too difficult for some students, which may affect their engagement and motivation to complete the activities.
• The book does not include a vocabulary section, which may be a drawback for students who need to improve their vocabulary skills.
• The book may not be suitable for students who prefer digital resources over traditional print materials.

The Reading Comprehension Grade 5 book is a great resource for both teachers and parents who want to help their 5th graders improve their reading comprehension skills. The book provides a wide variety of reading passages that cover different genres and subjects, making it an engaging resource for students. The activities in the book are well-structured and provide ample opportunities for students to practice their reading comprehension skills independently or in a classroom setting. Additionally, the book includes practice for standardized tests, which is a great added bonus for students who need to prepare for such assessments.

One potential drawback of the book is that some of the passages may be too easy or too difficult for some students, which may affect their engagement and motivation to complete the activities. Another potential drawback is that the book does not include a vocabulary section, which may be a drawback for students who need to improve their vocabulary skills. Finally, the book may not be suitable for students who prefer digital resources over traditional print materials.

Overall, we believe that the Reading Comprehension Grade 5 book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to help their 5th graders improve their reading comprehension skills.

180 Days of Practice for Fifth Grade

We highly recommend the 180 Days of Practice for Fifth Grade set of workbooks for parents looking for a comprehensive practice book for their children.

• The set includes three separate workbooks for reading, writing, and math, providing a well-rounded practice experience for fifth graders.
• The lessons are well-organized and easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions and clear examples.
• The exercises are engaging and age-appropriate, keeping children interested and motivated to learn.
• The workbooks are quite thick and heavy, which may make them difficult for some children to handle.
• The math exercises can be challenging, and may require additional explanation or assistance from parents or teachers.
• The workbooks are quite expensive, which may be a barrier for some families.

In the reading workbook, children will practice comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills through a variety of exercises and activities. The writing workbook provides practice in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, as well as opportunities for creative writing. The math workbook covers a wide range of topics, including fractions, decimals, geometry, and algebra.

Overall, we believe that the 180 Days of Practice for Fifth Grade set of workbooks is an excellent investment for parents looking to support their children’s learning and development. The exercises are challenging but accessible, and the clear instructions and examples make it easy for children to work independently. While the workbooks are quite expensive, we believe that the quality of the content justifies the cost.

Spectrum 5th Grade Vocabulary Workbooks

We highly recommend the Spectrum 5th Grade Vocabulary Workbooks for children in the 4th to 6th grade age range who want to improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

• The workbook is well-structured with a variety of exercises that help children learn new vocabulary words and practice using them in context.
• The book covers a range of topics including analogies, multiple-meaning words, roots and affixes, and reading comprehension.
• The exercises are challenging but not overwhelming, making it a great supplement to classroom learning or summer workbooks.
• Some of the exercises may be too difficult for children who are not yet reading at a 5th grade level.
• The book is focused solely on vocabulary and reading comprehension, so it may not be the best choice for children who need more practice with grammar or writing.
• The book may be too short for children who are looking for a more comprehensive workbook.

The Spectrum 5th Grade Vocabulary Workbooks are a great choice for parents who want to help their children improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The book is well-structured with a variety of exercises that help children learn new vocabulary words and practice using them in context. The book covers a range of topics including analogies, multiple-meaning words, roots and affixes, and reading comprehension. The exercises are challenging but not overwhelming, making it a great supplement to classroom learning or summer workbooks.

One of the benefits of this workbook is that it is easy to use. The exercises are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. Children can work through the book at their own pace, and parents can easily track their progress. The workbook is also well-organized, with each section building on the previous one. This makes it easy for children to see their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete each section.

However, there are a few downsides to this workbook. Some of the exercises may be too difficult for children who are not yet reading at a 5th grade level. While the book is focused solely on vocabulary and reading comprehension, it may not be the best choice for children who need more practice with grammar or writing. Additionally, the book may be too short for children who are looking for a more comprehensive workbook.

Overall, we highly recommend the Spectrum 5th Grade Vocabulary Workbooks for parents who want to help their children improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The workbook is well-structured, easy to use, and challenging without being overwhelming. With a little bit of effort, children can make significant progress in their reading and comprehension skills.

Carson Dellosa | Skill Builders Reading Comprehension Workbook | 5th Grade, 80pgs

If you want to improve your child’s reading and comprehension skills, then the Carson Dellosa Skill Builders Reading Comprehension Workbook is a great choice.

• The workbook is well-structured and easy to follow.
• The passages are short and engaging, making it easier for kids to stay focused.
• The exercises are challenging and help kids develop their reading comprehension skills.
• Some of the passages may be too easy for advanced readers.
• The answer key at the back of the book may make it tempting for kids to cheat.
• The book is only 80 pages long, so it may not provide enough practice for some kids.

In this workbook, kids will find short passages followed by comprehension exercises that test their understanding of the text. The passages cover a wide range of topics, from science and history to literature and poetry. Each passage is accompanied by multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, or both.

The workbook is designed to be used independently, so kids can work on it at their own pace. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the answer key at the back of the book provides immediate feedback.

Overall, the Carson Dellosa Skill Builders Reading Comprehension Workbook is a great tool for parents who want to help their kids improve their reading and comprehension skills. It’s well-structured, engaging, and challenging, and it’s a great way to supplement what kids are learning in school.

FLORIDA TEST PREP F.A.S.T. Practice Test Book F.A.S.T. Reading Grade 5: Covers the New B.E.S.T. Standards

If you’re looking for a comprehensive test preparation book for your 5th grader, the FLORIDA TEST PREP F.A.S.T. Practice Test Book F.A.S.T. Reading Grade 5 is definitely worth considering.

• The book covers the new B.E.S.T. standards, ensuring your child is fully prepared for the latest tests.
• The practice tests are challenging but not overwhelming, providing a good balance of difficulty and accessibility.
• The book is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it simple for both parents and children to use.
• The book is specifically geared towards Florida’s testing standards, so it may not be as useful for students in other states.
• Some of the passages may be too difficult for struggling readers, making it necessary to provide additional support and guidance.
• The book only covers reading comprehension, so additional resources may be needed to prepare for other subjects.

In our experience, the FLORIDA TEST PREP F.A.S.T. Practice Test Book F.A.S.T. Reading Grade 5 is a great resource for parents looking to help their children prepare for standardized tests. The book is well-organized and covers all the necessary material, making it easy to use and understand. The practice tests are challenging but not overwhelming, allowing students to build their skills and confidence without becoming discouraged.

Overall, we would definitely recommend this book to parents of 5th graders who are looking for a comprehensive test preparation resource. Just keep in mind that it is specifically geared towards Florida’s testing standards, so it may not be as useful for students in other states.

Buying Guide

When selecting books for 5th graders, there are a few key features to consider. We recommend taking the following factors into account to ensure you choose the best reading books for your child.

Reading Level

First and foremost, consider the reading level of the book. It is important to choose books that are appropriate for your child’s reading level to ensure they can read and comprehend the material. Look for books with a reading level that matches your child’s abilities.

Consider the genre of the book as well. 5th graders are typically ready for more complex and mature themes, but it is still important to choose books that are age-appropriate. Some popular genres for this age group include adventure, mystery, and fantasy.

In addition to genre, consider the content of the book. Some books may contain sensitive topics that may not be appropriate for all children. It is important to review the content of the book before purchasing to ensure it aligns with your family’s values and beliefs.

Finally, consider reading reviews of the book before purchasing. Reviews can provide valuable insight into the quality and appropriateness of the book. Look for reviews from trusted sources such as other parents, teachers, and librarians.

By taking these factors into account, you can ensure you choose the best reading books for your 5th grader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some recommended books for 5th graders to enhance their reading skills.

There are numerous books that can help 5th graders improve their reading skills. Some of the most recommended books include “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate, “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio, “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan, “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo, and “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. These books are engaging, age-appropriate, and help students develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

Which novels are considered age-appropriate and engaging for 5th-grade readers?

Some of the most popular novels for 5th-grade readers include “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, “Holes” by Louis Sachar, “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell, and “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. These books are not only age-appropriate but also engaging, thought-provoking, and help students develop empathy, creativity, and imagination.

How can I find high-quality free PDF reading books suitable for 5th-grade students?

There are many websites that offer free PDF reading books for 5th-grade students. Some of the most popular websites include Project Gutenberg, Open Library, and Bookboon. These websites offer a wide range of books in various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

What are the top read-aloud picture books for a 5th-grade classroom?

Some of the best read-aloud picture books for a 5th-grade classroom include “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss, “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss, and “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. These books are not only entertaining but also help students develop their listening skills and imagination.

Can you suggest some reading materials that would be suitable for both 5th and 6th graders?

Some of the best reading materials that are suitable for both 5th and 6th graders include “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan, and “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. These books are not only age-appropriate but also engaging and help students develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

What are the essential reading competencies a 5th grader should possess by the end of the school year?

By the end of the school year, a 5th grader should possess essential reading competencies such as fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. They should be able to read and understand complex texts, identify main ideas and supporting details, use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words, and make inferences and draw conclusions based on the text. Additionally, they should be able to summarize, compare and contrast, and analyze texts in order to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of the material.

View more reviews of children’s books here .

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The 10 Best Historical Fiction Books for 5th Graders

Historical fiction is a fantastic genre that can transport young readers to different times and places, allowing them to experience the world in a new and exciting way. For 5th graders, these stories can be both educational and entertaining, offering valuable lessons while also providing an enjoyable reading experience. In this article, we will explore why historical fiction is important for 5th graders, and recommend the top 10 historical fiction books in two categories: ancient civilizations and more recent history.

Why Historical Fiction is Important for 5th Graders

There are several reasons why historical fiction is an essential genre for 5th-grade students. Some key benefits include enhancing imagination and creativity, developing empathy and understanding, and building critical thinking skills. Let’s take a closer look at each of these aspects.

Enhancing Imagination and Creativity

Historical fiction books offer a unique opportunity for 5th graders to explore different cultures, times, and places. These immersive experiences transport young readers to different worlds, allowing their imagination to soar as they visualize the settings and characters within the stories. By encouraging creativity and promoting a love for reading, this genre can help students develop a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.

Through these immersive experiences, students develop a richer understanding of history and the various societies that have shaped our world. They are more likely to be curious and engaged in historical topics, and this interest can positively influence their studies in social studies and history lessons. Historical fiction can also inspire students to create their own stories and explore their own creativity.

Developing Empathy and Understanding

One of the most significant benefits of historical fiction is its ability to foster empathy and understanding in young readers. By introducing 5th graders to characters from various backgrounds and time periods, these books allow them to see the world through others’ eyes. By identifying with characters who face struggles and triumphs, young readers develop empathy and cultivate a deeper understanding of the human experience.

These engaging stories also encourage discussion about important social issues, such as diversity, equality, and justice. As students connect with characters from different cultures and eras, they can recognize the similarities and differences that exist within humanity, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of others. This understanding can help students become more compassionate and empathetic individuals, which is a critical skill for success in both personal and professional relationships.

Building Critical Thinking Skills

Historical fiction offers a unique opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills, as they analyze the events and decisions that shaped history. By questioning the motivations of characters, as well as the cultural and societal factors that influenced their choices, readers can develop the ability to think critically about historical events and their consequences.

In addition, discussing historical fiction with peers, parents, or teachers can help refine these important skills, as students learn to communicate their thoughts, opinions, and analysis in a clear and persuasive manner. This ability to think critically and communicate effectively is a valuable skill that will serve students well throughout their academic and professional careers.

In conclusion, historical fiction is an essential genre for 5th-grade students, offering a range of benefits that can enhance their imagination, develop empathy and understanding, and build critical thinking skills . By reading and discussing historical fiction, students can broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of history and the world around them, and become more compassionate, empathetic, and critical thinkers.

Top 5 Historical Fiction Books Set in Ancient Civilizations

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of historical fiction for 5th graders, let’s dive into our recommended selections. The first category focuses on stories set in ancient civilizations, providing an intriguing glimpse into the lives and societies of the distant past.

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

This engaging book follows the story of Ranofer, a young Egyptian boy determined to uncover the truth about his father’s death. Readers are transported to Ancient Egypt , where they will learn about Egyptian culture, daily life, and mythology while solving a mystery alongside the courageous protagonist.

As readers journey through the pages of The Golden Goblet , they will be introduced to the complex social hierarchy of Ancient Egypt, where pharaohs and priests held immense power and influence. From the bustling markets of Thebes to the grand temples dedicated to the gods, readers will gain a rich understanding of the daily life and customs of this fascinating civilization.

Black Ships Before Troy by Rosemary Sutcliff

Based on Homer’s Iliad, this retelling introduces young readers to the legendary Trojan War. Sutcliff’s captivating storytelling is paired with stunning illustrations, bringing to life epic battles, brave heroes, and tragic love stories that have enthralled readers for centuries.

As readers embark on this epic journey, they will be transported to the ancient city of Troy, where they will witness the fierce battles between the Greeks and Trojans, and the devastating consequences of war. Through the eyes of legendary heroes like Achilles and Hector, readers will gain a deep appreciation for the courage, honor, and sacrifice that defined this tumultuous era.

You can find this book here.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Set in a fictional world reminiscent of ancient Greece, The Thief follows the story of Gen, a skilled thief who embarks on a dangerous quest for a legendary treasure. Rich in political intrigue, adventure, and unforgettable characters, this award-winning book is the first in a beloved series that will keep readers hooked.

As readers delve into the world of The Thief , they will be transported to a land of warring city-states, where cunning and deception are often more valuable than strength and bravery. From the glittering palaces of the ruling elite to the dark alleys of the underworld, readers will experience the thrill of adventure and the danger of betrayal at every turn.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

In this gripping tale set in Roman-occupied Israel, young Daniel seeks revenge on the soldiers who killed his family. As he becomes involved in a group of rebels fighting against the Romans, Daniel must confront his own beliefs and desires for freedom and revenge, in the midst of a turbulent historical era.

As readers journey through the pages of The Bronze Bow , they will be transported to a land of political unrest and religious conflict. From the bustling markets of Jerusalem to the rugged hills of Galilee, readers will witness the struggles of a people fighting for their freedom and their faith against a powerful empire.

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

This beautifully illustrated collection of Greek myths introduces young readers to the gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters of ancient Greece. Retold with captivating prose, these timeless stories of adventure, love, and betrayal offer a perfect starting point for exploring the world of Greek mythology.

As readers explore the world of Greek mythology through the pages of D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths , they will be transported to a world of wonder and imagination. From the creation of the world by the god Zeus to the epic battles between the Olympian gods and the Titans, readers will gain a deep appreciation for the rich and complex mythology that has captivated readers for centuries.

Top 5 Historical Fiction Books Set in More Recent History

Historical fiction is a genre that allows readers to travel back in time and experience different eras through the eyes of fictional characters. For 5th graders, historical fiction can be an excellent way to learn about history while also improving their reading skills. In this article, we will be exploring the top 5 historical fiction books set in more recent history that are perfect for 5th graders.

Our second category of recommendations explores more recent historical settings, allowing readers to connect with a period closer to their own time. These stories illuminate the challenges and triumphs experienced by individuals throughout history and serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Set during World War II, this moving story follows ten-year-old Annemarie as she helps her Jewish friend, Ellen, escape Nazi-occupied Denmark. This powerful book teaches young readers about the courage and sacrifices made by ordinary people during this challenging time in history.

Number the Stars is a poignant and beautifully written novel that captures the fear and uncertainty of life during World War II. Through Annemarie’s eyes, readers will witness the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of war on families and communities.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

After the death of his mother, Bud sets out on a journey across Depression-era America in search of his father. Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters and experiences the hardships many faced during the Great Depression. Curtis weaves an engaging and heartfelt tale filled with humor, hope, and determination.

Bud, Not Buddy is a heartwarming story that captures the spirit of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Through Bud’s journey, readers will learn about the struggles faced by African Americans during the Great Depression, and gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of family and community.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Based on the author’s own family history, this inspiring novel recounts the story of a young Mexican girl who is forced to leave her privileged life behind and adapt to the harsh conditions of a migrant labor camp in the United States. Readers will be moved by Esperanza’s resilience and strength as she overcomes adversity and injustice.

Esperanza Rising is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores themes of immigration, social justice, and the American Dream. Through Esperanza’s eyes, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by migrant workers in the United States and the importance of standing up for what is right.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

In this highly acclaimed novel, a young girl named Ada is evacuated from London during World War II, along with her brother Jamie. While living in the English countryside, Ada discovers a world of new experiences, friendship, and love, all while confronting the trauma and abuse of her past.

The War That Saved My Life is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant book that explores the themes of family, identity, and resilience. Through Ada’s eyes, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of war on children, and the power of love and kindness to heal even the deepest wounds.

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Set in the mid-1800s, this beautifully written story follows the daily life of Omakayas, a young Ojibwa girl living on an island in Lake Superior. The book provides an intimate look at Native American culture, family, and the importance of nature, making it an engaging and educational read for 5th graders.

The Birchbark House is a captivating and educational book that offers a unique perspective on American history. Through Omakayas’ eyes, readers will gain a deeper understanding of Native American culture and traditions, and the impact of European colonization on indigenous communities.

In conclusion, historical fiction offers an incredible platform for 5th graders to explore new worlds, learn critical skills, and foster their love for reading. By offering a variety of captivating stories set in different time periods, students will develop a broader understanding of history, empathy for others, and an insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world around them.

How early should you introduce children to historical fiction?

As early as possible! However, there are many historical fiction books written for middle schoolers, so the start of middle school is a good time to start.

What are the benefits of reading historical fiction?

Not only do historical fiction novels introduce readers to new historical periods, events, and people but they can also help young people understand more about geography and global politics.

What’s the best historical fiction book for 5th graders?

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan is brilliant.

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Book Review Template for Kids (Tips & Activities)

• July 21, 2019
• Kids Printables

Aren’t your kids interested in reading more books? How can you enhance their understanding skills after reading a book? 

Here is a solution ! How about asking them to write a review? Don’t be funny you say ! No, I am just saying if you have colorful “ Book Review Templates” for kids , you can actually ask them to write what they understood.  

Ask your kids to share their point of view and discuss about it with their friends and family. While this is a small circle, writing a review about the book will help them introduce it a bigger circle or people, at the same time improve their thinking and writing skills.

You might want to check out book templates for kids , who are interested in compiling or writing a book. 

Your kids read books? Do they have the habit of sharing their view about the books? Do they share their review about every book they read? Or do you want your kid to write review about the books they read? Do you want to teach them on how to write a book review? Well, this topic is help and satisfy all the above needs.

Yes, In this article we are going to see in detail about what is book review and how to make your kids write a book review. We are here to help you with the wonderful set of templates that will help teach your kids and encourage them write review about books. All you have to do is just a click away, select the template you like from here, download it, print and teach your kids on how to write a book review with the help of it. All these templates are available for free and you can download and use it anytime, anywhere.

What are Book Review Templates?

First of all let us see what is book review template and what are the components in it to be filled. As the name says, it is nothing but the template to write review about books, which will help you teach your kids on how to write a book review and what all needs to be included/excluded while writing a book review. Below are some of the components that needs to be filled in order to complete a Book review.

• Title – Name of the book
• Author/Illustrator – Name of the Author and/or Illustrator of the book
• Word difficulty – They need to predict the difficulty level they had while reading the book. For Example, Too easy, Just right, Medium, Too hard,
• Did your like the book/Rating – This is to rate the book. As it is for kids, it can be represented with the STAR rating. If not, by numbers. For example, 4.2 out of 5. Or you can ask them to describe the book in one word by proving them a set of words to choose. For example, Exiting, boring, impressive, stupid, funny, sad, heart warming, interesting, excellent, entertaining, educational and so on.
• Summary in one sentence – Ask them to summarize the story of the book in a sentence, that needs to be short and crisp.
• Characters – Describe in brief about the character involved in the book.
• What was your favorite part of the book? / What I liked best – This will help them recollect the memories of reading the book and describe their favorite part in the book.
• What I didn’t like – Ask them to summarize the part of book which the kids did not like
• Draw your favorite character from the book – If it is a picture book or activity book that would contain more pictures and images, then you can guide them to draw their favorite character from the book.
• Draw your favorite scene from the book – every kids will have a favorite part from the book and you can encourage them to visualize their favorite scene, which in-turn will develop their drawing skills also.
• Recommendation – They can tick mark the box. For example, Highly Recommended, Reasonable, Not recommended.
• Reviewer Name – Your kids name who is writing the review.
• Date – date on which the review was written.

These are few of the points that must be covered as part of a book review. Apart from this the kids can add anything extra as part of the template while writing the review.

Are your kids exited to write a book review? Wondering how to guide them on it? Then we are here to help you, as we have provided wonderful set of book review templates for kids in this page that will attract your kids. Do you want to make one on your own? Well, that is allowed as well. All you have to do is to just chose your template from here and download it for free. As we have designed it for your ease, you can just edit the template as per your need by changing the font, background, borderline of the template etc and create/make your own Book review templates within seconds,without spending even a single penny from your pocket. Is it not amazing? Create one instantly and help your kids write a book review.

Uses of Book review template?

Let us see below the uses of writing a book review.

• Will help the kids to improve their creative writing skills and reading comprehension.
• Will encourage the kids to share their opinion
• Will help others to decide on whether to read/purchase the book or not.
• Will provide the in-depth analysis of the story and content of the book.
• Will capture the main theme of the book and help readers understand the author’s style.

These are few of the benefits of writing a book review. Apart from these it will improve their book reading skills and increase their interest to read more books and write review for those.

How to use – Book review template for teaching in classroom

In order to help teachers with book review templates and few sample activities that would help them teach in the classroom,we have listed few activities as below to make their work easy:

• Providing Sample Book review – You can take few sample reviews written by others for a book and share it in the classroom for the kids to basically understand what is a book review and what are the basic elements and points to be captured while writing a book review. Best source to teach them is from the famous/favorite magazine or even newspaper.
• Together read a book review – Pick up an appropriate and favorite book review and read it aloud along with the students in the classroom. Cover everything from title of the book, author, brief summary of the book, strengths and weakness and your own personal opinion about the book.
• Provide a book to review – Provide a book or a short story to read in the classroom and write their review about it. Encourage them to make note of the key points of the story Post which you can read the review they have written and correct those along with the students.
• Questions about the book – Provide a book review template template and guide them with few questions that will help them recollect the incidents in the story and come-up with a good review. Questions should cover on the genre of the book (whether it is Comic or fantasy or detective or humor),  about the favorite part of the book, likes and dis-likes, about the main characters of the book, briefly about the author of the book, did they enjoy reading the story, etc. Also ensure to have their reviews explained in details. 
• Classroom flip book review activity – Prepare a flip book with an interesting topic and introduce it to the students. Provide them with a book review template from him as per your wish and let them write review on the flip book. This will help them improve their thinking capacity as well.

  How to use – Book Review template for students

Making children write a book review is a great way to motivate them to read lot of books. Having said that let us see few activities  that will help them learn and write a good and perfect book review.

• Book review activity Packet – You can choose a sample book for the students to read, be it a short-story or fun book or a comic story. To start with you can provide them a book under their favorite genre which will help them read it with full involvement and write a good review. Then you can choose a template from here for there to express their thought and opinion about the book and write a review.
• Character book review Activity – Decide a book for the student to read, preferably a picture book or fun book. Later you can collect the pictures of the different characters in the book and make cards out of it. Once the student completes the book, you can provide these cards carrying different characters in the book and as them to write review about each character. This will help children to understand and judge themselves with how much involvement they have read the book.

All the activities listed above looks awesome right? Waiting to involve your kids/students in reading books and write a review for the book? Then you can involve them in any of the above activities. To start with, you can make them read a book of their favorite genre, which will help them practice writing a book review at initial times.

Can Book Review Template help kids to learn science?

In order to make students develop their interest towards science, you can introduce it to them through book review activity as well. Wondering how? Here is an example for you to help them develop their interest towards science. You can create a Flip book with different forms of energy (like heat, sound,chemical,thermal etc) or any other science related topics like state of matter or chemical changes, with the pictures related to it. You can ask students to make a research on each of the picture in the flip book, hence introducing science to them.

Help them in understand it which in-turn will make them write good reviews. Later, once they complete the flip book, provide them with few book review templates and as them to write their opinion about each science topic in the flip book, that will help them know their understanding about the science and develop interest towards science. Similarly you can make them read various science related fun books (like 11 Experiments That Failed or Ada Twist – Scientist) which will introduce science to them and ask them to write review for the same.

Tips to help your kids write a book review

Writing a book review is not an easy task for the children at initial times. Below are you tips which will help you guide your children to write a good book review.

• Motivate them to make note of the important points while reading the books. This will help them remember the favorite characters and scenes in the book.
• Make them ask questions about the book to come-up with an perfect book review.
• Guide them to have a structure for the book review they write. For example , starting from the Author to the strength and weakness of the book.
• You should be ready to proofread it at the end. Once the kids complete writing a review, you should have a check on it for any spelling mistakes, meaning of the phrases and help them correct their mistakes in the next review.

Do’s and Don’ts of a Book review

Having discussed in details on how to write a book review, we shall now see the do;s and dont’s while reviewing a book.

• Provide a short phrase/title that will explain your review’s content.
• Be very specific in describing what you liked or did not like in the book. Do not generally say “it was bad”,”not satisfactory”. Describe why was it bad and not satisfactory.
• Do not drag the review too long. Make it crisp and brief. Do not completely summarize the book.
• Do not criticize it badly just because it was not as how you expected.
• Describe your favorite character and be very careful and conscious in what you say about the story to avoid controversies.

Following these  points along with the tips, you can select any of the activities along with the book review template from our page and teach your kids on how to write a good book review.

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Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

10 Best Books for 5th Grade Boys

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It’s always hard to pick the best books for any age, but I want to share the top ten middle grade books for 5th grade boys that I recommend when they need something to read.

Because the most important thing is getting kids to read– so, we need to offer the best books to our 5th grade boys; books that look and sound interesting…and that actually are excellent. This is the key!

Of course, there are so many more good books for 5th grade boys. Visit all my reviews for 5th graders and keep your readers reading!

Best Books for 5th Grade Boys

New Kid  by Jerry Craft REALISTIC This middle grade graphic novel for 5th grade boys is the  Newbery award winning book for 2020 !  Jordan’s parents make him go to a private school across town where he’s one of the only kids of color.  Besides having the tricky business of navigating friendships, he now must deal with the two separate worlds of his neighborhood and his school along with racism and balancing academics with his artwork. This story feels truthful, relatable, and important for 5th graders.

City Spies  by James Ponti ADVENTURE When Sara, a foster kid and hacker, gets in trouble again, her new so-called lawyer recruits her to be an MI6 spy.  Sara joins a team of other kids, trains quickly, and is immediately sent undercover to break open a big case in Paris. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I predict you’ll  love every second of this action-packed  story! It’s filled with great characters and an interesting twisty plot. 5th grade boys won’t be able to put this  series  down.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life  by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts, illustrated by Laura Park FUNNY (series) Rafe’s goal in  middle school  is to break every single rule. You can imagine how his plan will go, right?  A funny middle grade book filled with cartoon-like illustrations, this story will crack your 5th graders up.   BOX SET HERE .

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret  by Trudi Trueit ADVENTURE (series) This is National Geographic’s first fictional book series with full-color illustrations that hits the spot with an exciting mix of science, technology, adventure, and mystery. Newly accepted into the prestigious Explorer Academy for science and exploration, Cruz realizes that someone is trying to kill him; someone who doesn’t want him finding out about his mother’s mysterious research and untimely death.  You’ll love the cool tech, amazing friendships, plot twists, and the intriguing premise.

Refugee  by Alan Gratz HISTORICAL FICTION This book is a tween  must-read middle grade book about what refugees experience.  Follow three distinct stories about being  displaced from your country, on the run, and in danger.  First is a young Jewish boy who escapes from Nazi Germany on a ship to Cuba. Next is a Cuban girl in the 1990s who flees in a homemade raft to the United States. Finally, is a story about a Syrian boy whose home is bombed in a country at war. Gatz skillfully connects all three stories with a satisfying, realistic conclusion.

The Graveyard Book  by  Neil Gaiman MIDDLE GRADE FANTASY Bod lives in the graveyard with an assortment of ghosts and other cemetery creatures who raise him  after Bod’s parents are killed when Bod was a baby. Bod’s guardian Silas cares for him, feeds him, and teaches him about the human world. Despite the scary-sounding title, the scariest part is in the first chapter when Bod’s parents get murdered and I suspect most 5th graders can handle or skip over that part.

The Adventurers Guild  by Zach Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos FANTASY Get ready for your new favorite fantasy adventure series. Zed and Brock don’t want to be chosen for the Adventurers Guild. Nobody does.  Unlike the mages or merchants guild, the adventurers must leave the safety of their walled city to fight the monsters who live on the outside.  Unfortunately, Zed and Brock are picked as Adventurers. And before they can finish training, Zed, Brock, and others are sent outside the city on a fact-finding mission that uncovers treachery, fiendish beasts, and Zed’s untapped magic. Imaginative world-building, intriguing plot twists, and complex characters kept me enthralled from page one!

Crabgrass Comic Adventures  by Tauhid Bondia  FUNNY   / GRAPHIC NOVEL You will LOVE the  friendship adventures of Kevin and Miles.  These stories in graphic novel format are fun, hilarious, relatable, and entertaining.

Isaiah Dunn is My Hero  by Kelly J. Baptist REALISTIC  After Isaiah’s dad dies, his mother stops working and starts drinking too much. The family of three now lives in a smokey motel where Isaiah watches his 4-year-old sister when his mom is passed out. Isaiah finds strength and inspiration in his father’s journaled stories about Isaiah Dunn Superhero and eventually, he begins to write poems again in his own journal.  With themes of grief, family, poverty, poetry, the power of writing, and friendship — this is a beautiful middle grade book.

The Unforgettable Logan Foster  by Shawn Peters ADVENTURE Logan is a neurodivergent, orphan main character who is fostered out of the orphanage by a friendly new couple, Gil and Margie. Then, Logan and his neighbor, a super cool older girl named Elena, discover that his foster parents are actually superheroes who get double-crossed and captured by an evil villain.  In an exciting, fast-paced adventure, Logan and Elena use their wits and strength to save his foster parents and other supes from the villains and the traitor.

KEEP READING

Bo oks for 5th Grade Girls

Books for 6th Grade Boys

Graphic Novels for 4th Graders

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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