{"id":90576,"date":"2025-02-04T08:19:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T12:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=90576"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:23:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T13:23:50","slug":"book-club-books-for-4th-graders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Books to Read Next with Your 4th Grade Book Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re looking for your next pick for a class book club, mother-daughter book club, or homeschooling pod book club, or <a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/how-to-start-a-book-club-for-tweens\/\">kids&#8217; book club<\/a>, I&#8217;ve rounded up some exceptional recommendations for the 4th graders in your life. For reference, most 4th graders are between 9-10 years old, and you&#8217;ll find options for less avid readers who need shorter books with simpler plots and books for advanced readers who can handle longer books and more nuanced themes. A couple of the books on this list are even illustrated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-recommends has-colortwo-background-color has-background\">Watch my video about my top book club picks for grades 3-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Middle Grade Book Recommendations (Book Club Books for Grades 3-8)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9z3upCn7MQo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"90736\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/4th-grade-book-club-books\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 11&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1738674979&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.25&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"4th grade book club books\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=2048%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=285%2C285&amp;ssl=1 285w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-withstars has-colortwo-background-color has-background\"><b>Join <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/readingmiddlegrade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b><strong>st<\/strong>! You&#8217;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&nbsp;buy the standalone printable&nbsp;from <a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/shop\/\">our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">15 Book Club Books That Will Get Your 4th Graders Reading and Talking!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Fantasy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81PqkJJnGfL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Dogtown<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Katherine Applegate&nbsp;and&nbsp;Gennifer Choldenko&nbsp;(Author),&nbsp;Wallace West&nbsp;(Illustrator)<br><strong>Published: September 19, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Finding home, friendships, nature vs technology<\/p><p>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. He&#8217;s 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.&nbsp;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><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Visiting a dog pound, researching robots and how they work, writing about your dream pet, reading <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/40MLuQu\">the sequel<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1250811600\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9781250811622\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Historical Fiction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81RSJk1vtQL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Anna Rose Johnson<br><strong>Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES: <\/strong>The power of stories, found family, selflessness, being brave<\/p><p>Perennial daydreamer Lucy Landry moves in with the family of a lighthouse keeper, Mr. Martin after the death of her guardian. Her overactive imagination initially puts off most of the Martin kids, but as Lucy fumbles through her day-to-day with the Martins, they start to fall for her spunky self, especially when she shares the riveting legend her father told her about a ruby necklace lost on a shipwrecked boat years before. Soon, Lucy convinces Ainsley, the oldest Martin, to go to Mermaid\u2019s Corner with her to find the necklace. This charming young middle grade book is perfect for fans of classics and has serious cozy vibes for fans of <em>The Penderwicks<\/em>, <em>The Vanderbeekers<\/em>, and classic sibling stories. There\u2019s also a fascinating history of the lives of lighthouse keepers, and I enjoyed learning a lot about them.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Visit a local lighthouse, learn about a local legend, research, write about the difference between myths and legends&nbsp;<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0823453634\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780823453634\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81m26Wp7cCL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Bea and the New Deal Horse<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By L. M. Elliott<br><strong>Published: March 28, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Life during the great depression, the power of persistence, horse riding contests<\/p><p>It\u2019s the 1930s, and Bea wakes up in a hayloft to a note from her dad, who\u2019s abandoned her and her little sister Viv to a family friend they\u2019ve never met. There, Bea works hard to be helpful to Mrs. Scott, in the hopes that the farm owner will keep her and her sister forever. She also forms a bond with a wild horse on the farm, which may just be the key to keeping the failing farm afloat. <em>Bea and the New Deal Horse<\/em>&nbsp;is an inspiring historical fiction book about life in the Great Depression, community, and the animal-human bond. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/discussion-guide-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse-grades-4-6\/\">get my full discussion guide for this book here<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Learn about the Great Depression, watch videos about horse riding contests, learn about horse behavior and anatomy, watch my book trailer<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/006321900X\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780063219007\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/bea-and-the-new-deal-horse-review-discussion-questions-and-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener nofollow\">READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/single-product\" data-product-id=\"81943\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-single-product woocommerce\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-image\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" data-show-sale-badge=\"false\" class=\"wc-block-components-product-image wc-block-grid__product-image wp-block-woocommerce-product-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/discussion-guide-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse-grades-4-6\/\" style=\"\" data-wp-on--click=\"woocommerce\/product-collection::actions.viewProduct\"> <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?fit=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-woocommerce_single size-woocommerce_single\" alt=\"Discussion Guide: Bea and the New Deal Horse (Grades 4-6)\" data-testid=\"product-image\" style=\"max-width:none;object-fit:cover;\" title=\"discussion guide for bea and the new deal horse\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=285%2C285&amp;ssl=1 285w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 50vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" data-attachment-id=\"83569\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?attachment_id=83569\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"discussion guide for bea and the new deal horse\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discussion-guide-for-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse.png?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/discussion-guide-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse-grades-4-6\/\" target=\"_self\" >Discussion Guide: Bea and the New Deal Horse (Grades 4-6)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-price\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-price\"><div class=\"wc-block-components-product-price wc-block-grid__product-price  \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">&#36;<\/span>12<\/bdi><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-summary\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-summary\"><div class=\"wc-block-components-product-summary \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Recommended <strong>for grades 4-6<\/strong>! <em>Bea and the New Deal Horse<\/em>\u00a0is set during the Great Depression and follows a girl abandoned with her little sister on a family friend&#8217;s farm. Bea proves her worth to the farm owner and forms a unique bond with a horse on the farm.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">This guide is practically a novel unit with <strong>over 50 vocabulary words, questions for nearly every chapter, lots of extension activities, and curriculum connections to use in the classroom.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/add-to-cart-form\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-add-to-cart-form wc-block-add-to-cart-form wc-block-add-to-cart-form--input wp-block-woocommerce-add-to-cart-form\" >\n\t\n\t<form class=\"cart\" action=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/discussion-guide-bea-and-the-new-deal-horse-grades-4-6\/\" method=\"post\" enctype='multipart\/form-data'>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"quantity\">\n\t\t<label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"quantity_686228f8511ed\">Discussion Guide: Bea and the New Deal Horse (Grades 4-6) quantity<\/label>\n\t<input\n\t\ttype=\"number\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"quantity_686228f8511ed\"\n\t\tclass=\"input-text qty text\"\n\t\tname=\"quantity\"\n\t\tvalue=\"1\"\n\t\taria-label=\"Product quantity\"\n\t\t\t\tmin=\"1\"\n\t\tmax=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstep=\"1\"\n\t\t\tplaceholder=\"\"\n\t\t\tinputmode=\"numeric\"\n\t\t\tautocomplete=\"off\"\n\t\t\t\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" name=\"add-to-cart\" value=\"81943\" class=\"single_add_to_cart_button button alt\">Add to cart<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-meta\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-meta\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-product_cat wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\">Category: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product-category\/discussion-guides\/\" rel=\"tag\">Discussion Guides<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-recommends has-colortwo-background-color has-background\">Watch my book trailer for this book<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bea and the New Deal Horse Book Trailer | Middle Grade Book Trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fJ3mq_Dj3Ds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Friendship Stories<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0063024942\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81hxVxTvNYL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Samira&#8217;s Worst Best Summer<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Nina Hamza<br><strong>Published: May 14, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Being a good friend, standing up for oneself, embracing your culture<\/p><p>Samira&#8217;s summer has taken a disappointing turn as her best friend Kiera seems to have dumped her, and someone has toilet-papered the tree outside her house. When a new girl moves in next door, she begins to pull Samira out of her self-imposed shell, helping her investigate the TP-ing. What Samira hoped would be a quiet summer licking her wounds becomes a full summer of figuring out family and friendships and finding the strength to be herself. I was VERY surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is so accessible, and even though it&#8217;s over 300 pages long, I loved the short chapters and the relatable subject matter.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Make a summer ideas list for the coming summer, write about what makes a good friend, write about better ways Samira could have handled certain issues in the book<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0063024942\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780063024946\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81QK0W+n9NL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Save Me a Seat<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Sarah Weeks and&nbsp;Gita Varadarajan<br><strong>Published: May 10, 2016<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES: <\/strong>Empathy, bullying, tolerance, friendship<\/p><p>This is the story of two seemingly different boys \u2013 one Indian and one American. When Ravi\u2019s family moves to America, he is shocked at how different things are. The things he liked about himself seem to neither impress nor be appreciated by his American classmates and teachers. Joe is a quiet, sensitive American who is regularly bullied by his classmates. The story follows both boys as they find a way to a solid friendship despite their differences. With a major focus on bullying, culture, food, and respecting differences, SAVE ME A SEAT is delightful, funny, and inspiring. A fantastic middle grade pick for teaching young boys and girls -everyone, really \u2013 empathy.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Loads of <a href=\"https:\/\/sarahweeks.com\/project-ideas-for-save-me-a-seat\/\">ideas from educators<\/a> on Sarah Week&#8217;s website<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0545846609\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780545846615\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/91iqHlZ6jDL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Falling Short<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Ernesto Cisneros<br><strong>Published: March 15, 2022<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Friendship, sports, body image, bullying, father-son relationships, Latino culture<\/p><p>Marco and Isaac have been besties for as long as they can remember, and now they share one pain in common: both their dads aren\u2019t in their lives as they\u2019d like. At the start of middle school, both boys decide to help each other reach their goals. For Isaac, it\u2019s getting better at more than just basketball \u2014 getting better grades and being more responsible. And for Marco, it\u2019s learning a sport: basketball. I loved this look at a warm friendship bond between boys. There\u2019s plenty of basketball, Latin-American family and warmth, and middle school antics, including bullying, comparison, and budding friendships.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Free <a href=\"http:\/\/chrome-extension:\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/b0f646cfbd7462424f7a-f9758a43fb7c33cc8adda0fd36101899.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com\/teaching-guides\/TG-9780062881724.pdf\">Teaching Guide<\/a> from publisher&nbsp;<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0062881728\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780062881724\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/falling-short-book-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-recommends has-colortwo-background-color has-background\">If your students love friendship books, try my Student Printables! (Also available for grades 6-8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/single-product\" data-product-id=\"81756\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-single-product woocommerce\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-image\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" data-show-sale-badge=\"false\" class=\"wc-block-components-product-image wc-block-grid__product-image wp-block-woocommerce-product-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/student-printable-friendship-grades-3-5\/\" style=\"\" data-wp-on--click=\"woocommerce\/product-collection::actions.viewProduct\"> <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?fit=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-woocommerce_single size-woocommerce_single\" alt=\"cover image for friendship student printables grades 3-5\" data-testid=\"product-image\" style=\"max-width:none;object-fit:cover;\" title=\"friendship books grades 3-5 cover image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, 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data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"friendship books grades 3-5 cover image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/friendship-books-grades-3-5-cover-image.png?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/student-printable-friendship-grades-3-5\/\" target=\"_self\" >Student Printable: Friendship Books (Grades 3-5 Only)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-price\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-price\"><div class=\"wc-block-components-product-price wc-block-grid__product-price  \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">&#36;<\/span>7<\/bdi><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-summary\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-summary\"><div class=\"wc-block-components-product-summary \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Student printables are <strong>designed for your students to use straight from the printer.<\/strong> This printable includes 20 middle grade books about friendship.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/add-to-cart-form\" data-is-descendent-of-single-product-block=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-add-to-cart-form wc-block-add-to-cart-form wc-block-add-to-cart-form--input wp-block-woocommerce-add-to-cart-form\" >\n\t\n\t<form class=\"cart\" action=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product\/student-printable-friendship-grades-3-5\/\" method=\"post\" enctype='multipart\/form-data'>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"quantity\">\n\t\t<label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"quantity_686228f85909f\">Student Printable: Friendship Books (Grades 3-5 Only) quantity<\/label>\n\t<input\n\t\ttype=\"number\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"quantity_686228f85909f\"\n\t\tclass=\"input-text qty text\"\n\t\tname=\"quantity\"\n\t\tvalue=\"1\"\n\t\taria-label=\"Product quantity\"\n\t\t\t\tmin=\"1\"\n\t\tmax=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstep=\"1\"\n\t\t\tplaceholder=\"\"\n\t\t\tinputmode=\"numeric\"\n\t\t\tautocomplete=\"off\"\n\t\t\t\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" name=\"add-to-cart\" value=\"81756\" class=\"single_add_to_cart_button button alt\">Add to cart<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-block-name=\"woocommerce\/product-meta\" class=\"wp-block-woocommerce-product-meta\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-product_cat wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\">Category: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/product-category\/student-printables\/\" rel=\"tag\">Student Printables<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Survival &amp; Adventure<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81+MCQIK59L._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Vega\u2019s Piece of the Sky<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Jennifer Torres&nbsp;<br><strong>Published: June 11, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES: <\/strong>STEM (geology), family, friendships, speaking up, the value of determination<\/p><p>Vega is a precocious tween with plenty of strong opinions, determination, and a fierce love for her family. Her cousin Mila is timid and anxious, and after an incident, is spending the summer with Vega\u2019s family in the California desert. When a meteoroid blazes through the sky one night, landing in Vega\u2019s community, Mila, Vega, and Jasper, the son of a rock hunter, end up searching at night and have to navigate getting lost, injured, stuck in a flash flood, and warding off coyotes, among other dangers with surprising results. This is a good blend of STEM and survival with just enough relationship dynamics to keep readers going, creating a truly intriguing, suspenseful story told from the perspectives of all three kids.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Free <a href=\"https:\/\/jenntorres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/vegas-piece-of-the-sky_educators-guide.pdf\">Educator&#8217;s Guide<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0316471364\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780316471367\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81SFjciU4zL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Inside the Park<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Andrea Williams&nbsp;<br><strong>Published: February 4, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Baseball history, self-esteem, sibling relationships, Black sports history<\/p><p>Timothy Strickland, aka Pumpsie, is the often-ignored, almost-last child of his family. He loves baseball, and while he isn&#8217;t naturally talented, he works hard to overcome his fears. When a storm leads to Pumpsie getting forgotten and locked alone inside the stadium with a dog and two suspicious men. Pumpsie uses his smart thinking to keep the men away and uncover their sinister plan while trying to stay safe until the morning. The best way to describe this book is <em>Home Alone,<\/em>&nbsp;but make it Alone in the Park. Peak wish fulfillment with lots of sports and cultural details. It absolutely flew by for me.  Kids who enjoy sports and large families in their stories will love this one! <\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>&#8220;Write about what you would do if you were left alone in your favorite place,&#8221; take a tour of a local baseball stadium <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0063285339\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780063285330\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/91GefrWBNjL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">The Long Way Around<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Anne Nesbet<br><strong>Published: September 10, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Friendship, adjusting to change, perseverance, family<\/p><p>This is an engaging survival story about three cousins\u2013two sisters and their cousin, Owen\u2013who get separated from their parents when an earthquake strikes during a hiking trip. The three kids are dealing with individual challenges in their lives, and as they try to hike a long route to reconnect with their families, they also make time for healing together. I love how much this book celebrates nature while being appropriate for younger middle grade readers, and maintaining a strong sense of adventure. Also, one of the kids loves cooking, and I just adored all the foodie scenes on the trail. Hand to kids who loved Downing\u2019s&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/just-keep-walking-book-review\/\">Just Keep Walking<\/a><\/em>&nbsp;and Lang\u2019s&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/out-of-range-heidi-lang-book-review\/\">Out of Range<\/a><\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Do a hike together, create a list of supplies you&#8217;d take on a hike, write a list of tips for a friend starting middle school<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1536234729\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9781536234725\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Humor &amp; Mental Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81qHlhTSaGL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Popcorn<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Rob Harrell<br><strong>Published: September 3, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Anxiety, friendships, art, humor, bullying<\/p><p>Andrew is having the WORST day. His shirt\u2019s been torn by his class bully, a basketball has slammed into his face, leaving him with a black eye, and his grandmother with dementia has gone missing \u2014 all on his class picture day. It doesn\u2019t help that Andrew has generalized anxiety. In his trademark humor, Harrell takes readers through Andrew\u2019s day with spot illustrations, relatable storytelling, and plenty of heart.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Watch the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BhhUsQXb4oU?si=9sH14a3eMFQ3SWiU\">book trailer<\/a>, learn about anxiety and coping strategies, discuss how popcorn is similar to anxiety (and make a batch of popcorn!)<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0593697928\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780593697924\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/910laCvqa8L._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Ain\u2019t It Funny<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Margaret Gurevich<br><strong>Published: October 15, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Living with OCD, parental separation, stand-up comedy, friendship, running a family business<\/p><p>Maya lives in NY with her mom and Babushka, who run a Russian bakery. Her dad is a lawyer who&#8217;s finally pursuing his stand-up comic dreams after separating from her mom. Maya is hoping her parents will get back together and keeps trying to engineer opportunities to make that happen, including using their school&#8217;s upcoming talent show, where she&#8217;s doing some stand-up comedy. She&#8217;s also noticing some of her quirks, like obsessive hand washing and an overwhelming need for symmetry when lining up her pencils more, as she feels more stress at home and school. This was very well written, and I found Maya&#8217;s jokes funny and I loved the therapy+ rep and the support Maya eventually receives. This is also a short book that reads quite young and slice of life despite the serious mental health themes. <\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Host a talent show, research OCD and anxiety, take a field trip to a Russian bakery to try some of the food in the book<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0593659430\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780593659434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Speaking Up<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81xCMG1q7QL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Amina\u2019s Voice<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Hena Khan<br><strong>Published: March 14, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Activism, family, music, friendship, being yourself, being brave<\/p><p>Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she\u2019s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the \u201ccool\u201d girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more \u201cAmerican.\u201d Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized.&nbsp;This debut is perfect for fans of <em>Front Desk<\/em>.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Free <a href=\"https:\/\/henakhan.com\/books\/aminas-voice\/\">Reading Guide<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1481492063\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9781481492072\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81adOZL1YGL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Safe Harbor<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Padma Venkatraman<br><strong>Published: January 21, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES: <\/strong>Environmental activism, immigration, music, poetry, friendship, mental health<\/p><p>In this sweet verse novel, we follow young Geetha, who has recently immigrated to the United States from India with her mother. Geetha&#8217;s parents are divorced, and her mom is on medication for depression. Between the rocky challenges of assimilation and coming to terms with her parents&#8217; divorce, Geetha is having a rough time. Thankfully, she meets a new friend and gets a chance to rescue a seal, which gives her a new lease on life. I liked the writing in this one and think it could be a good way to introduce the verse format to younger readers. Readers who love books about music, friendship, and environmental activism will enjoy this one.<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Learn more about seals and how to support the environment, look up ways to support immigrants&#8217; assimilation, learn to write poetry<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0593112504\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780593112502\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-carrow\">Short Realistic Fiction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81GSUNgB-iL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Stef Soto, Taco Queen<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By&nbsp;Jennifer Torres<br><strong>Published: May 8, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p><strong>THEMES: <\/strong>Food, family, Latino culture, running a business, the immigrant experience<\/p><p>Stef Soto is a middle-schooler whose family owns a taco truck, Tia Perla. Like most kids her age would be, Stef finds Tia Perla embarrassing, especially as her once-best-friend Julia won\u2019t stop teasing her about smelling like tacos. When new food truck regulations threaten her family\u2019s business, Stef realizes just how much Tia Perla means to her. She also learns to be proud of who she is and to appreciate the good friends in her life. I loved&nbsp;<em>Stef Soto, Taco Queen<\/em>&nbsp;and would highly recommend&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-books-about-food\/\">for food lovers<\/a>, readers who enjoy books about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-books-about-immigration\/\">the immigrant experience<\/a>, and anyone whose parents have worked hard so they can pursue their dreams.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS: <\/strong>Free <a href=\"https:\/\/jenntorres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/torres_readanddiscuss_stefsoto.pdf\">Discussion Guide<\/a><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/0316306843\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9780316306843\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/stef-soto-taco-queen-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Book\" class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-book2 ad-book-block has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fdfaf4\"> <div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/154760056X\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\"><img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81sRo5qRBPL._SY425_.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content_wrap is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-metadata1 ad-book-block__meta\"><div class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-title\">  <h2 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">Ways to Make Sunshine<\/h2><\/div><div itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" itemprop=\"author\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item ad-book-block__meta-item-author\">  <div itemprop=\"name\" class=\"ad-book-block__meta-item-value\">By Ren\u00e9e Watson&nbsp;(Author),&nbsp;Nina Mata&nbsp;(Illustrator)<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Published: April 28, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ad-book-block-description ad-book-block__summary\"><p>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. Ryan is unhappy about the change for many reasons. 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 how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is. Renee Watson\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Ways to Make Sunshine<\/em>&nbsp;is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist.<\/p><p><strong>THEMES:<\/strong> Family, sibling relationships, financial challenges, tackling new challenges<\/p><p><strong>ACTIVITY IDEAS:<\/strong> Free <a href=\"https:\/\/media.bloomsbury.com\/rep\/files\/ways-to-make-sunshine-guide.pdf\">Reading Guide<\/a> &#8211; fleshing out character traits for Ryan and her family, writing a speech of their own on any topic<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fdcfc74e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/154760056X\/?tag=readingmiddlegrade-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/110591\/9781547606658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">BUY ON BOOKSHOP<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/ways-to-make-sunshine-chapter-book-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>More Book Club Books for Kids<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/3rd-grade-book-club-books\/\">3rd grade book club books<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/7th-grade-book-club-books\/\">7th grade book club books<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/6th-grade-book-club-books\/\">6th grade book club books<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you&#8217;re looking for your next pick for a class book club, mother-daughter book club, or homeschooling pod book club, or kids&#8217; book club, I&#8217;ve rounded up some exceptional recommendations for the 4th graders in your life. For reference, most 4th graders are between 9-10 years old, and you&#8217;ll find options for less avid readers who need shorter books with simpler plots and books for advanced readers who can handle longer books and more nuanced themes. A couple of the books on this list are even illustrated!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":90736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"book_review_cover_url":"","book_review_title":"","book_review_series":"","book_review_author":"","book_review_genre":"","book_review_isbn":"","book_review_setting":"","book_review_release_date":"","book_review_recommendation":"","book_review_pages":"","book_review_source":"","book_review_rating":"","book_review_summary":"","book_review_featuredin":"","book_review_kindle":"","book_review_reivew":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3907514,3907573,129927,3907220],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-90576","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-4th-grade-books","8":"category-book-club-books","9":"category-book-lists","10":"category-by-grade","11":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>15 Book Club Books That Will Get Your 4th Graders Reading and Talking!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering what to read next with your 4th grade book club? 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Here are 20 excellent recommendations with lots to discuss!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Reading Middle Grade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/readingmiddlegrade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"facebook.com\/readingmiddlegrade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-04T12:19:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-16T13:23:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Afoma Umesi\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/readingmg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@readingmg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Afoma Umesi\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Afoma Umesi\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/#\/schema\/person\/6b7cd2e255b6c33cc0360c9493f180a6\"},\"headline\":\"15 Books to Read Next with Your 4th Grade Book Club\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-04T12:19:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-16T13:23:50+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/\"},\"wordCount\":2698,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\",\"articleSection\":[\"4th Grade Books\",\"Book Club Books\",\"Book Lists\",\"Book Lists By Grade\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/\",\"name\":\"15 Book Club Books That Will Get Your 4th Graders Reading and Talking!\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/book-club-books-for-4th-graders\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/4th-grade-book-club-books.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-04T12:19:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-16T13:23:50+00:00\",\"description\":\"Wondering what to read next with your 4th grade book club? 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