5th Grade Book Recommendations
Need some ideas for good books for 5th graders? These chapter books are good choices for 4th grade, 5th grade, or 6th grade kids.
Lately I’ve been doing some tutoring, which has included reading some middle-grade books assigned for a 4-6th grade class. All of the books have interesting stories and can spark some good conversations about tough situations.
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I highly recommend getting the audiobook as well as the paperback. That way, you can listen along with your child and be able to talk about the books together. Discussing books with your kids is such a valuable experience!
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See all of my book recommendations on Bookshop.org
A Place to Hang the Moon
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus is about three British children who need a family. The story takes place during World War II. When the children’s caretaker, their grandmother, dies, the children are left with no family and no one to care for them. It’s suggested that they join the children that are being evacuated to the countryside to escape the dangers of wartime London…with the hope that they will find a new family and place to call home.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters and situations were well-written. I’ve always found the topic of the children’s evacuations in England during WWII to be a fascinating topic – one I originally learned about in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
Check out my list of WWII book recommendations at Bookshop.org by clicking here: WWII Book List
A Place to Hang the Moon book on Amazon
A Place to Hang the Moon audiobook
Fish in a Tree
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is about Ally, a girl who struggles to fit in. The reader comes to find that Ally has dyslexia. While Ally has been worrying that she’s dumb, her new teacher sees her for the smart, creative kid that she is. Fish in a Tree is definitely a relatable book for anyone who has ever felt like they’re different – which is all of us, right?
If you want more books about kids struggling with disabilities, I recommend Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Out of My Mind was one of my daughter’s favorite books in 5th grade. It’s about a girl with cerebral palsy.
Johnny Tremain
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes is a classic novel that’s been read by American kids for generations. It won the Newbery Medal in 1944, indicating that it was considered to be a great contribution to children’s literature.
The book takes place in Boston and documents the stirrings of the American Revolution before it begins. Johnny is an apprentice to a silversmith and comes to befriend some of the rebels who are pushing back against British Rule. Johnny interacts with historical figures such as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere and participates in the Boston Tea Party. This is a useful book to pair with lessons in American history – it makes the events come alive, and it illustrates what life was like during the 1700s in Boston.
Johnny is a likable yet flawed character. The strengths and weaknesses of the various characters contribute to some good discussions that can be had while reading. Moral lessons and difficult situations are plentiful.
Johnny Tremain is an appropriate choice for a 5th grade book because 5th grade students usually study American history for their social studies topic.
However, as this book is a classic, it is definitely challenging for modern readers. I think this one is best done WITH your child. You could read it aloud, listen to it together as an audiobook, or each read it on your own and then discuss. There is challenging vocabulary and old-fashioned ideas that can take a while to grasp. While it takes some patience, I think it is a valuable choice for learning about history while improving vocabulary and values.
Johnny Tremain Audiobook on Audible
Amal Unbound
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed takes place in modern-day Pakistan. It’s about a young girl named Amal who is forced to become a servant because of her family’s debt.
If you think your kid needs to get some perspective about how kids in other countries live, then this book is a great choice.
What books would you suggest for fifth grade readers? Comment below and let me know!
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