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

Sophie is a 12-year-old girl whose life is upended when she discovers she is an elf and has to leave home to join elven society. If that weren't hard enough (elves are practically immortal and have special abilities like telepathy), she also learns she is at the center of a scheme to destroy the elven world, and has to find a way to stop it.

Alexandra F. said:  There's a lot about this bestselling series that would appeal to anyone looking for more books like Harry Potter. Like our favorite boy wizard, the main character also suddenly discovers her place in a fantastical world that secretly co-exists with our non-magical one, and her subsequent adventures are filled with magic, danger and friendship, mostly starring teen protagonists with special powers. Our family started reading these as part of a family book club when our kids were nine and 11, and have been hooked ever since!

Dawn Denning said:  My son recently started reading this series and he LOVES it...and so do I. Written by Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel from Glee), these are are good books for middle schoolers and older elementary school kids about the adventures of a set of twins that leave our world and travel into the world of fairytales. The fairytale worlds include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose and more! The stories are engaging, suspenseful and funny, so my son and I both look forward to reading time!

Alexandra F. said:  Harry Potter is a personal favorite (which I first read in college!), so we introduced it when our kids were pretty young, in early elementary school. I love that it can be enjoyed (and read and reread) at all ages, though, so that my kids loved it as much in middle school as they did in third grade, and as much as I do as an adult.

When sisters Cat and Maya are forced to move because of Maya's chronic illness, they discover their new town has ghosts. One sister believes in ghosts and the other does not, until the ghosts begin to show themselves.

Beth Wood said:  This graphic novel for kids has been read and re-read numerous times by my fifth grader.

Auggie was born with a severe facial deformity that leaves him looking a lot different than the other kids, and Wonder chronicles his first experience attending school.

A boy and his pet fox are separated due to war and experience new adventures while trying to be reunited.

These kid-favorite graphic novels recount the hilarious stories of a boy trying to make his way through middle school, and transition often between writing and pictures to make them a fun and absorbing read even for those who may not otherwise be drawn to reading.

Katie G. said:  My current 5th grader started reading this series in 3rd grade, but still loves these books and has re-read them this year. He loves graphic novels and this one is definitely at the top of the list!

Children respond to an ad in the newspaper looking for extraordinary kids who enjoy tests and puzzles. Each book follows the children around as they take on a different mission and puzzle to solve, and the last book is focused on the story of the namesake of the society.

Alexandra F. said:  My 10-year-old daughter just started reading this, and I love looking over while she is completely engrossed in the book, and watching her giggle to herself over it. A real winner!

A series by Rick Riordan about kids who find out that they are the descendants of Greek gods, and face off against various mythological monsters as they learn to hone their skills.

Katie G. said:  My son LOVED this series! He is going around the house telling us all about Zeus, Poseidon, Athena and all the other Greek gods. I didn't think anything could top Harry Potter, but I think this one has.

This classic children's chapter book by Madeleine L'Engle is a space adventure story about Meg Murry and her little brother, who travel through space and time to rescue their father, a scientist who disappeared while working on a secret government project.

Alexandra F. said:  This was my introduction to science fiction as a child and I remember being absolutely captivated and drawn to fantasy and sci fi ever since. I was thrilled when my daughter finally agreed to give it a try. It was an unmitigated success!

Against all odds, 10-year-old Charlie Bucket finds a golden ticket that grants him entrance to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. His wacky adventures within have captured the imagination of children across generations.

Alexandra F. said:  One of my childhood favorites, and now my daughter's as well. Although Roald Dahl wrote so many chapter books that have become beloved children's classics, my family thinks this one is his absolute best.

There are thirteen books in this series about the Baudelaire orphans, which is all at once engrossing, scary, funny, sad and weird.

Vanessa M. said:  Great series! I love that these books teach kids great vocabulary words in a fun way. Lemony Snicket is so amusing as the narrator, and I adore the Baudelaire orphans (I'm not ashamed to admit I've read this series several times myself!). Netflix has an original series based off these books that my kids and I enjoyed watching together.

A young girl discovers a family with the secret to eternal life in this classic children's chapter book.

Kelly R said:  This story about eternal life was a quick 2 day read for my son in the summer after 6th grade, and he really enjoyed it.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  My 5th grade boy read this book in school and he loved it so much he wanted his own copy to read to me at home. It's a mystery about sixth-grader Miranda and her best friend Sal who live in New York City. One day Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason and Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes. Whoever is sending them seems to know a lot about Miranda and even things that haven't happened yet. She begins to believe only she can prevent a tragic death until the final message has her wondering if it is too late...

Beth Wood said:  Adventurous story about a boy with a stutter who finds it difficult to communicate with others. Then he befriends an animal at his father's zoo and figures out he has a very special gift.