{"id":88569,"date":"2025-01-08T13:18:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T17:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=88569"},"modified":"2025-01-21T07:06:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T11:06:10","slug":"book-series-for-4th-graders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-series-for-4th-graders\/","title":{"rendered":"Captivating Book Series for 4th Graders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re struggling to keep up with how fast your 4th graders are reading, you need book series — stories that keep them in the same universe for several books. The books on this list are some of my favorites for 4th graders (stronger readers than 3rd graders, but perhaps not mature enough for more complex plots and heavy emotional content like 5th and 6th graders).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Join our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also\u00a0buy the standalone printable<\/a>\u00a0from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 Book Series to Hook Your 4th Graders for a Long Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Gabby Gets It Together (PAWS #1)<\/h2><\/div>
By Nathan Fairbairn (Author), Michele Assarasakorn (Illustrator)
Published: March 8, 2022<\/strong> | 4 books in the series <\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I truly loved this graphic novel about three friends who start a dog-walking business. It feels true to kids (feels like something I would\u2019ve LOVED as a child who adored The Babysitters\u2019 Club<\/em>), and I enjoyed seeing the ethnic diversity and the parental involvement in this story. If you have kids who love animals or have an entrepreneurial streak, this book is for them. It\u2019s also delightfully short, and this is a series I totally plan to keep up with since every book is from a different girl\u2019s perspective.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Adventures of Invisible Boy<\/h2><\/div>
By Doogie Horner
Published: January 30, 2024 | 2 books in the series so far<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When his family moves in the middle of the school year, Stanley wishes he could be invisible because being the new kid is too hard. Then he\u2019s caught in a spill during the science fair and his wish comes true: he\u2019s invisible. There\u2019s only one problem: the kid who made the potion is not pleased! Can Stanley escape his wrath? This is such a fun sci-fi graphic novel for kids who love funny books with plenty of hijinks. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mac B: Kid Spy<\/h2><\/div>
By Mac Barnett (Author), Mike Lowery (Illustrator)
Published: September 11, 2018<\/strong> | 6 books in the series so far<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This hilarious spy story of a boy recruited by the Queen of England to retrieve England\u2019s crown jewels is ridiculous in the best way. The illustrations and humor in this one make it perfect for young readers who love funny chapter books. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street<\/h2><\/div>
By Karina Yan Glaser
Published: October 3, 2017<\/strong> | 7 Books in the series<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Meet the Vanderbeekers! They\u2019re a biracial family living in Harlem, New York. With five kids, including a pair of twin girls, each kid has plenty of characters 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. This first Vanderbeekers book is set in the days before December 25th, so the winter holiday vibes are top-notch. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Front Desk<\/h2><\/div>
By Kelly Yang
Published: May 29, 2018<\/strong> | 6 Books in the series<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mia Tang is a ten-year-old Chinese immigrant who lives in a motel with her parents in the 1980s. They run the motel for its crooked owner, Mr Yao. Mia runs the front desk, and soon, she realizes that her parents use the motel to protect undocumented immigrants. I highly recommend this debut by Kelly Yang. It deals with heavier topics like racism, class prejudice, the value of diligence, and the struggles of immigrants in a dignified, relatable way for kids. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Click<\/h2><\/div>
By Kayla Miller
Published: January 8, 2019<\/strong> | 7 Books in the series<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Olive \u201cclicks\u201d with everyone in the fifth grade\u2014until one day she doesn\u2019t. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups . . . without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up? I\u2019ve read and loved nearly all the books in this graphic novel series<\/a>! <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Ultimate Goal (The Good Sports League #1)<\/h2><\/div>
By Tommy Greenwald (Author), Lesley Vamos (Illustrator)
Published: April 11, 2023<\/strong> | 2 books in the series<\/strong> so far<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This series follows kids who play sports and their challenges on and off the pitch. The first book follows a boy whose strict team doesn’t allow for much fun — even though he loves to dance. Can he find a way to still play on his terms? Greenwald is known for his sports stories and this series is perfect for the younger sport-loving crowd.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Lemonade War<\/h2><\/div>
By Jacqueline Davies
Published: April 23, 2007<\/strong> |6 Books in the series<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Evan and Jessie Treski are siblings 14 months apart. Evan has great people skills, while Jessie seems to be on the spectrum and struggles with understanding social cues. However, she\u2019s very book-smart. She knows math and is business savvy. The siblings do a lemonade stand every summer \u2014 a highlight for Jessie. This year, though, after discovering that Jessie is skipping a grade into the fourth grade with him, Evan seems mad at her. He\u2019s even teaming up with another classmate to sell lemonade and leaving Jessie out. Before the kids know it, they\u2019re in an all-out war to see who makes the most profit. I loved all the business tips in this book, and I know some people dislike books with sibling drama, but this one explores some important emotional themes, and Evan and Jessie eventually find their way to each other again. There’s also a graphic novel adaptation<\/a> coming soon — I read an advance copy and loved it!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dogtown<\/h2><\/div>
By Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko (Author), Wallace West (Illustrator)
Published: September 19, 2023<\/strong> | 2 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chance is a three-legged dog at the Dogtown shelter, where able-bodied and robot dogs compete for attention. Things start to change when a new robot dog, Metal Head, comes to the pound. First off, he\u2019s determined to run away (return home). So he hatches a plan with Chance and her mouse best friend to help an older dog get adopted in exchange for helping him escape. But things do not go to plan, and Chance, her mouse friend, and Metal Head spend a night on the streets on an emotional adventure. As someone who isn\u2019t into animal books, I\u2019m shocked by how much I liked this one. It\u2019s charming, beautifully plotted, and full of suspense, heartwarming characters, and plenty of heart. It also has sweet illustrations and concise chapters. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Magnificent Mya Tibbs<\/h2><\/div>
By Crystal Allen (Author), Eda Kaban (Illustrator)
Published: January 26, 2016<\/strong> | 3 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fourth grader Mya Tibbs is excited for Spirit Week! She has made plans to partner with her best friend Naomi Jackson. So, you can imagine Mya\u2019s terror when she\u2019s partnered with Mean Connie, and Connie refuses to trade partners. But as Mya works with Connie, she realizes that things aren\u2019t as she\u2019s thought. The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown<\/em> is a sweet, realistic story of friendship,<\/a> family,<\/a> and forgiveness.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Animal Rescue Friends<\/h2><\/div>
By Jana Tropper and Katie Longua (Author), Chelsea Trousdale (Illustrator)
Published: September 10, 2024<\/strong> | 4 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This adorable graphic novel follows four kids on their journeys to find a beloved pet and the animal rescue center, where they converge as the pets bring joy to their lives. It\u2019s a great mash-up of PAWS<\/em> meets Allergic <\/em>and is perfect for young (capable) readers as young as the second grade. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Math Mysteries: The Triplet Threat<\/h2><\/div>
By Aaron Starmer (Author), Marta Kissi (Illustrator)
Published: September 26, 2023 | 2 Books in the series<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cam, Gabe, and Abby are best friends at Arithmos Elementary and call themselves the Prime Detectives \u2014 a nod to their skill and love for math. In the first installment of this series, the kids solve several mysteries, from poisoned cookies to failed ziplines \u2014 all related to the appearance of a new set of triplet classmates. Is there more to the case than meets the eye? This book has so much math! I don\u2019t even like math but I loved seeing how cleverly these kids solved the mysteries using their math chops. Perfect for the math lover (or kid you want to trick into liking math).<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mystery at the Biltmore<\/h2><\/div>
By Colleen Nelson (Author), Peggy Collins (Illustrator)
Published: October 8, 2024<\/strong> | 2 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When a Biltmore resident\u2019s prized jewels are stolen, amateur detective Elodie LaRue is summoned to solve the case\u2026 even though she\u2019s just a kid. Together with a new stunt-obsessed friend and her dog Carnegie, Elodie must get to the bottom of the heist in this charming, illustrated young middle grade novel. I can see this being a cozy read-aloud for mystery fans, and since it\u2019s the first in a new series, young readers will be thrilled to see Elodie in the subsequent stories. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Origami Yoda #1)<\/h2><\/div>
By Tom Angleberger
Published: January 1, 2010<\/strong> | 6 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book is a good step up from the Wimpy Kid books and is all about a kid investigating whether or not a puppet on the finger of one of his classmates actually has magical powers. If your kids love funny stories set at school about friendship, this is a good option. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Investigators<\/h2><\/div>
By John Patrick Green
Published: February 25, 2020<\/strong> | 9 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on their first mission together, they have not one but two <\/em>mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks\u2014or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp?
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Blue Stars: Mission #1<\/h2><\/div>
By Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author), Molly Murakami (Illustrator)
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong> | 1 Book in the series<\/strong><\/strong> so far<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is an entertaining graphic novel about cousins Maya and Riley (Black and Muscogee), who end up living with their grandmother when Maya\u2019s parents are deployed, and Riley\u2019s parents move back in with her grandmother. At school, the girls quickly realize that their vice principal is suspicious, slashing arts, robotics and any budgets possible in favor of increasing the number of detention classrooms. With their grandmother\u2019s advice about using their voices firm in their mind, the girls hatch a plan to expose VP Balderdash\u2019s schemes. I loved many things about this series starter, including the natural, subtle way both girls share about their heritage and how they find home and community with their grandmother. This is also super short (under 200 pages), and the superhero and planning scenes feel like something out of a Spy Kids<\/em> movie. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd<\/h2><\/div>
By Lyla Lee
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong> | 2 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This fun SHORT series opener is immediately reminiscent of friendship group books like The Babysitters Club<\/em><\/a>. Gigi and her two friends, Zeina and Caroline, start a tutoring club in the library to help them save up some cash for an art summer camp. Gigi\u2019s parents think being an artist is not a promising career option and would rather she focus on math and the sciences, so she neglects to tell them about the club and her plan. The girls add wannabe goth Emma to their team, and business begins. They must navigate business planning, crushes, tricky clients, and worried parents to keep their business (and friendship) afloat. The vibes were so sweet in this one, and kids who love entrepreneurial stories, books by Debbi Michiko Florence, and friendship-based realistic fiction will love it. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ways to Make Sunshine<\/h2><\/div>
By Ren\u00e9e Watson
Published: April 27, 2021<\/strong> | 4 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ryan Hart and her family are moving to a new (old) house because her dad lost his post office job, and his new job doesn\u2019t pay as much. Still, there are small joys. She doesn\u2019t have to change schools and is still close enough to one of her best friends. With the new house, and selling one of their cars, her parents can better deal with their financial struggles. Throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love herself. Renee Watson\u2019s Ways to Make Sunshine<\/em> is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Planet Omar<\/h2><\/div>
By Zanib Mian (Author), Nasaya Mafaridik (Illustrator)
Published: February 4, 2020<\/strong> | 5 Books in the series<\/strong><\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Omar is a young Muslim boy with a huge imagination. He and his family (his mom, dad, and two siblings) are adjusting to a new move (new house, new school) and approaching the month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, the adjustment process is NOT smooth. First, there\u2019s a neighbor who doesn\u2019t seem to like Omar\u2019s family and a bully at school who keeps making fun of him. Things come a head when Omar and Daniel, the bully get lost together during a school trip. Can Omar escape all this trouble he keeps attracting? Accidental Trouble Magnet (Planet Omar #1)<\/em> is a charming chapter book about the life of a Muslim imaginative boy during Ramadan, adjusting to a new school, befriending a bully, and navigating family\/sibling relationships.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate McKinnon 
Published: October 1, 2024<\/strong> | 1 Book in the series<\/strong> <\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book by comedian Kate McKinnon is a delightful riot. Set in a quirky world where a group of girls get invited to join a school of etiquette that is really a training school for female mad scientists who will save the world, this book took me on the most fun rollercoaster plot and the audiobook is EXCELLENT!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Join our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also\u00a0buy the standalone printable<\/a>\u00a0from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More 4th Grade Book Lists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n