42 Books for 5th Graders (That Our Kids Recommend)
Our crowdsourced list of the best books for 5th graders keeps growing as parents submit their own kids' favorites! It can be hard to find books that kids will want to read from start to finish, so we want to hear from you, the experts, about the books your 10 and 11-year-old fifth graders have loved.
Like and submit reviews for your family's favorite chapter books for 5th graders below. You'll find more parent recommendations on our lists for 3rd grade, 4th grade and middle school, too!
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Keeper of the Lost Cities Series
Age 9-12
Alexandra F.: 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!
The Land of Stories Series
Age 8-12
Dawn Denning: 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!
Harry Potter Series
Age 9+
Alexandra F.: 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.
Ghosts
Age 8-12
Beth Wood: This graphic novel for kids has been read and re-read numerous times by my fifth grader.
Wonder
Age 9+
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.
Pax
Age 8-11
A boy and his pet fox are separated due to war and experience new adventures while trying to be reunited.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series
Age 7-10
Katie G.: 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!
The Mysterious Benedict Society Series
Age 9-12
Alexandra F.: 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!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series
Age 10+
Katie G.: 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.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Age 8-12
Alexandra F.: 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.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Age 8-12
Vanessa M.: 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 Wrinkle in Time
Age 9-12
Alexandra F.: 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!
Tuck Everlasting
Age 9-12
Kelly R: 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.
When You Reach Me
Age 10-12
Tracy Snyder Molina: 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...
The Zoo at the Edge of the World
Age 8-12
Beth Wood: 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.
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