42 Books for 5th Graders (That Our Kids Recommend)

Brittany Kozielski said:  The Dork Diaries series is written from the diary perspective of eighth grader Nikki Maxwell, and are funny, light and quick books for fifth graders.

Kelly R. said:  

This Newbery Medal winner is all at once an animal adventure tale, a page turner, and a good introduction for kids to mystery reading. The book centers around the mouse Mrs. Frisby, who needs help from the rats of NIMH to save her son. This is a classic and still relevant for any child who loves a bit of fantasy.

Alexandra F. said:  This series is one you and your middle grade child do not want to miss! Sophie is a 12-year-old girl whose life is upended when she discovers she is an elf and has to leave her home to join elven society. As if the challenge of adjusting to her new life were not enough (elves are practically immortal and have special abilities like telepathy), Sophie also learns that she is at the center of a scheme to destroy the elven world, and it is up to her and her new friends to save the day. Our entire family is hooked!

Kelly R. said:  This fun series from Neil Patrick Harris showcases the adventures of a group of friends with unique abilities in magic. The writing is funny and suspenseful and the characters are diverse. The books are true page turners in our house! They're also peppered throughout with instructions for magic tricks that kids can learn at home.

Kristy Pepping said:  My 5th grade girl loved this book! The main character, Julia, is very short for her age. She is cast as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and befriends Olive, an adult who has dwarfism. It's a great book about building self-esteem and realizing that being different is not only good but makes you special.

Beth Wood said:  

This graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier has been read and re-read numerous times by my fifth grader. She loved the story of a family who has to move in order to help one of their children, who has cystic fibrosis. After the family's relocation, two sisters Catrina and Maya learn a secret about their new town...there are ghosts there!

Alexandra F. said:  Alan Gratz masterfully tells three distinct stories, all taking place in different times and places, about three children trying to escape hardship and persecution in their home countries and seeking refuge elsewhere. A gripping and eye-opening read that offers a powerful glimpse into the timeless and timely issue of migration.

Kelly R. said:  A creative children's classic that stands the test of time, a girl and her younger brother run away from home to live in Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum of Art and become swept up in solving a mystery.

This delightful story by E.B. White explores being different, overcoming adversity, and the power of music. Follow the tale of Louis, the swan that is unable to make sounds until his father steals him a trumpet and changes his future forever.

Danielle Tobin said:  Each year 5th graders read this series by Stuart Gibbs. Some 4th graders read it too.

Beth Wood said:  This heartwarming story is about sisters and how they don't always see eye to eye. Especially when you're 10 and your older sister seems to have it all! Overcoming obstacles with the help of the person you think you dislike the most can seem unlikely, but feels surprisingly good when you do.

Kelly R. said:  My kids loved this one in fourth and fifth grade. A famous game maker designs a town's new library and opening night is celebrated with an escape room-style challenge.

Shila said:  This 1980s tween-life series about identical twin sisters - one popular and sassy, the other more reserved and thoughtful - is still a good read for kids today, albeit slightly outdated (i.e., no cell phones!). Each book is an easy and quick read, and the topics cover a variety of imaginative plots and social situations as rising middle school girls.

Kelly R. said:  Two boys who are very different in both size and smarts form a friendship that brings out the best in both of them. This is a sad one, so keep that in mind if you have a sensitive child.

Kelly R. said:  A funny and heartfelt middle school story from Gordon Korman. When a challenging class of misfits is paired with a burned-out teacher counting the days until retirement, they come through for each other in surprising ways.