Summer Reading Ideas for Rising Fourth Graders at Oak Hill School
They are Classics for a Reason:
● The Borrowers ​
by Mary Norton -- A perceptive boy enters into the miniature world of "the
little people" who live under the floor in an old country house and borrow their necessities
from its human inhabitants.
● Ginger Pye​
by Eleanor Estes -- The Pye family has adopted the smartest, cutest dog in the
town, but before too long it is stolen by a mysterious man in a mustard colored cap. Will they
ever find Ginger again?
● “The Laura Ingalls Wilder” series​
-- Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up in the west when it was
still quite wild and unsettled. This fictional series reflects memories she has of her childhood.
● The Secret Garden ​
by Frances Hodgson Burnett -- Mary Lennox is forced to move from
India to her uncle’s remote house in the England after the untimely death of her parents. At
first lonely and confused by the unfamiliar traditions, Mary soon finds companionship and
adventure with her cousin, the spoiled, sickly Colin, and local boy Dickon.
● Peter Pan ​
by James M. Barrie -- Peter Pan has resolved to never grow up. He and his Lost
Boys have made a life in the magical world of Neverland. When Peter encounters an
intriguing group of siblings in London, he brings them back to join his crew and fight the
villainous Captain Hook.
Crazy Comedies
● Fortunately, The Milk​
by Neil Gaiman -- Mom is out of town for work, and dad forgot to pick
up milk. A quick early morning trip to the store turns into a wild adventure in which Dad
encounters pirates, aliens, and a time-traveling stegosaurus piloting a hot air balloon.
● Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library​
by Chris Grabenstein -- Mr. Lemoncello, the greatest
game creator in history, has built a cutting edge, mind-bendingly awesome in his hometown.
After winning a contest, a group of students from the local school have won a sneak preview
of Mr. Lemoncello’s library. What they do not realize that getting into the library was way
more difficult than getting out will be. This wacky, hilarious adventure is a must-read. And
make sure you don’t miss the follow-up​
The Island of Dr. Libris​
!
● Anything by Roald Dahl​
-- You cannot go wrong with any of Roald Dahl’s classic, bizarre,
slightly grim comedies.
● “Timmy Failure” series​
by Stephan Pastis -- Timmy Failure is just your average detective,
except that he is a kid...and his sidekick is a polar bear named Total. Together Timmy and
Total are out to solve the world’s biggest mysteries.
● “13 Story Treehouse” series ​
by Andy Griffiths --​
Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it's
​
not just any old treehouse, it's the most amazing treehouse in the world! This treehouse has
thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground
laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots
marshmallows into your mouth whenever you are hungry. Life would be perfect for Andy and
Terry if it wasn't for the fact that they have to write their next book, which is almost impossible
because there are just so many distractions, including thirteen flying cats, giant bananas,
mermaids, a sea monsters pretending to be mermaids, enormous gorillas, and dangerous
burp gas-bubblegum bubbles!
● Elvis and the Underdogs ​
by Jenny Lee -- Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old
boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly, accident-prone, and at the hospital
so often he even has his own punch card. So when Benji wakes up one day from a
particularly bad spell, his doctors take the radical step of suggesting he get a therapy dog.
But when a massive crate arrives at Benji's house, out walks a two-hundred-pound
Newfoundland who can talk! And boy, is he bossy. Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most
surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once
thought.
Fun Fantasy
● Secrets of Droon​
by Tony Abbott --This enchanting series follows ​
Eric, Julie, and Neal who
discover an enchanted stairway in Eric's basement, which turns out to be a portal to the
magical and troubled world of Droon. It's a wondrous place where adventure is always close
at hand.
● A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans ​
by Laurence Yep -- Crusty dragon
Miss Drake has a new pet human, precocious Winnie. Oddly enough, Winnie seems to think
Miss Drake is her pet—a ridiculous notion! Unknown to most of its inhabitants, the City by the
Bay is home to many mysterious and fantastic creatures, hidden beneath the parks, among
the clouds, and even in plain sight. And Winnie wants to draw every new creature she
encounters: the good, the bad, and the ugly. But Winnie’s sketchbook is not what it seems.
Somehow, her sketchlings have been set loose on the city streets! It will take Winnie and Miss
Drake’s combined efforts to put an end to the mayhem . . . before it’s too late.
● Finding Serendipity ​
by Angelica Banks --When Tuesday McGillycuddy and her beloved dog,
Baxterr, discover that Tuesday's mother--the famous author Serendipity Smith--has gone
missing, they set out on a magical adventure. In their quest to find Serendipity, they discover
the mysterious and unpredictable place that stories come from. Here, Tuesday befriends the
fearless Vivienne Small, learns to sail an enchanted boat, tangles with an evil pirate, and
discovers the truth about her remarkable dog. Along the way, she learns what it means to be
a writer and how difficult it can sometimes be to get all the way to The End.
● Midnight for Charlie Bone​
by Jenny Nimmo -- After turning ten, Charlie Bone is startled to
discover that he can hear what is going on in photpgraphs. His sinister grandmother is
delighted to discover that he has magical powers and sends him away to Bloors Academy, an
unusual boarding school that houses the rich, the powerful, and the magical. This is the first
in a fantastic series that brings to life the classic battle of good versus evil.
● Ella Enchanted​
by Gail Carson Levine -- At birth, Ella’s fairy godmother gave her the gift of
obedience. The so-called “gift”, however, turns out to be a curse. Teenage Ella is sick of
having to do everything that she is told, and when her father marries a dubious stepmother,
and Ella’s evil step-sisters learn of her “gift”, it becomes downright dangerous. Ella has no
other choice but to set out on a quest to track down her stepmother. It is a journey that will
bring her face-to-face with giants, ogres, and the one-and-only Prince Charming.
● Wildwood​
by Colin Meloy -- When Prue’s baby brother is kidnapped by a flock of crows, she
must follow them into an area of her hometown of Portland, Oregon known as the
“Impassable Wilderness.” One in the woods Prue discovers a world beyond anything she
could possibly have imagined, filled with coyote soldiers, bird politicians, and wild bandits. A
great fantasy series that will remind readers of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Heroic Historical Fiction
● “I Survived” series​
by Lauren Tarshis -- Each book in this series tells a terrifying and thrilling
​
story from history, through the eyes of a boy who lived to tell the tale.
● Ninth Ward​
by Jewell Parker Rhodes -- “Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit
community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown
family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama
Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the
future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching,
it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them
both survive the storm.
● Turtle in Paradise​
by Jennifer Holm -- It is the middle of the Great Depression of the 1930’s
and people can’t be too picky about working conditions. Turtle’s mother gets a job as a
housekeeper for a well-to-do family, but they have one big rule: she cannot bring her child
with her. So Turtle gets packed off and sent to Key West to live with relatives that she has
never met. It is a totally alien place and experience for her, but she discovers that it might
actually be the perfect paradise for Turtle.
● Selling Hope​
by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb -- Hope’s father is a magician and she is sick of
travelling the vaudeville circuit with him all the time. She sees an opportunity to make enough
money to settle down in 1910 when people are panicked about the impending approach of
Halley’s Comet. Hope and her friend, performer Buster Keaton, begin selling “Hope’s
Anti-Comet Pills” which claim to protect the users from the ill-effects of the comet. An
engaging story that gives a snapshot into a fascinating moment in time.
Harrowing Horror
● A Tale Dark and Grimm​
by Adam Gidwitz -- These are not the cheerful Disney-fied fairy tales
that you are used to. The original Grimm’s Fairy Tales were beyond frightening, bloody, and
not for the faint of heart. This creepy, yet clever series starter takes the well-known
characters of Hansel and Gretel and places them in a collection of seamlessly woven together
Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
● Curse of the Campfire Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales​
by David Lubar
--Slightly more hilarious than scary, this collection of short stories approaches urban
mysteries, both well-known and new.
● “Ghosthunters” series​
by Cornelia Funke -- ​
Nine-year-old Tom can't catch a break: He's a
klutz, his sister Lola pretty much hates his guts, and--and this is a BIG "and"--he just found a
ghost camping out in his cellar. Lucky for Tom his grandma's best friend just happens to be
the world's foremost ghosthunter. Under her expert tutelage, Tom learns the tools of the
trade--which just happen to include buckets of graveyard dirt--and soon finds he has to face
down not just the Averagely Spooky Ghost (ASG) in his basement but the Incredibly Revolting
Ghost (IRG) in town.
● Nightmares!​
by Jason Segel -- Charlie Laird has several problems.
1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion—the creepiest place in Cypress Creek.
3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap.
What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real.
Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and
into the waking world.well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all
the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.
Marvelous Mysteries
● Treasure Hunters ​
by James Patterson -- The Kidd family has travelled all over the world
together tracking down lost treasures at the bottom of the ocean. When their mother goes
missing and their father is washed overboard during a storm, the four Kidd siblings must
follow the clues and come up against pirates, rivals, and a killer surfer in order to not only
discover the gold their father lost his life searching for, but find their mother, as well.
● Sherlock, Lupin, & Me ​
by Irene Adler -- Teaming up young Sherlock Holmes, his future love
(and adversary) Irene Adler, and master thief, Arsene Lupin, this inventive mystery brings the
three new friends together to solve the dual mysteries of an unidentified dead body on the
Italian coast where all three are vacationing and a stolen diamond necklace.
● The Sweetest Heist in History ​
by Octavia Spencer -- Randi Rhodes and her fellow ninja
detectives, DC and Pudge, were flying high after solving the Case of the Time-Capsule
Bandit. But life in sleepy Deer Creek has begun to feel…a bit boring. There are no crimes to
investigate! But a trip to New York City to visit Randi’s aunt changes that! While the ninja
detective trio explores Randi’s old neighborhood in Brooklyn, they uncover an art heist.
Except no one will believe them. So they’ll just have to catch the criminals in the act...
Relatable Realistic Fiction
● “The Secret Language of Girls” Trilogy​
by Frances O’Roark Dowell -- Kate and Marilyn
have been friends forever, but as they enter adolescence they are finding themselves at
different places and interested in different things. Will they be able to maintain their
relationship when Marylin is interested in popularity and growing up and Kate is still happy to
hang out with her family and just be a kid?
● Liar and Spy ​
by Rebecca Stead -- Things are not going well for Georges. His father lost his
job, so his family has had to move from a house into an apartment. His mom is working all
the time to try and keep things afloat. Georges is also being bullied at school. In the midst of
all of this, Georges does make friends with one of his new neighbors, who appoints George
an amatuer spy and give him the task of watching one of their other neighbors.
● Touch Blue ​
by Cynthia Lord -- The state of Maine plans to shut down her island's
schoolhouse, which would force Tess's family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the
only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the
numbers of students by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her
family are taking a chance on Aaron, a thirteen-year-old trumpet player who has been
bounced from home to home. And Tess needs a plan of her own--and all the luck she can
muster. Will Tess's wish come true or will her luck run out?
Spectacular Sci-fi
● City of Ember ​
by Jeanne DuPrau -- The city of Ember was built underground and the
builders planned for the residents to return aboveground after 220 years, but somehow along
the way the directions to the surface were lost. Ember is therefore rapidly running out of
resources. Lina and Doon have just received their job assignments at the age of twelve, and
as they start their adult lives they discover some secrets that just might bring light to their
darkening world. The first in the “Books of Ember” series.
● Among the Hidden​
by Margaret Peterson Haddix -- In the not-too-distant-future
overpopulation has forced the government create strict laws restricting the number of children
families are permitted to have. Luke is an illegal third child and has been hidden away since
birth, living as a “shadow child.” After meeting another “shadow child” who is willing to fight
for the right to live a normal life, his entire world is shaken to the core. The first in the
“Shadow Children” series.
● Spaceheadz​
by Jon Scieszka -- Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that
wasn't hard enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids at all.
They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form of school children and a
hamster. They have a mission to complete: to convince 3,140,001 kids to BE SPHDZ. But
with a hamster as their leader, "kids" who talk like walking advertisements, and Michael K as
their first convert, will the SPHDZ be able to keep their cover and pull off their assignment?
● House of Robots​
by James Patterson --It was never easy for Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez to fit
in, so he's dreading the day when his genius mom insists he bring her newest invention to
school: a walking, talking robot he calls E--for "Error". Sammy's no stranger to robots--his
house is full of a colorful cast of them. But this one not only thinks it's Sammy's brother... it's
actually even ​
nerdier ​
than Sammy. Will E be Sammy's one-way ticket to Loserville? Or will he
prove to the world that it's cool to be square? It's a roller-coaster ride for Sammy to discover
the amazing secret E holds that could change family forever... if all goes well on the trial run!
Super Sports Fiction
● Million Dollar Shot​
by Dan Gutman -- When Eddie Ball finds out about the Finkles contest-a
​
chance to win a million dollars just by sinking a foul shot at the NBA finals-he realizes it could
be the end of his family's troubles but someone is trying to sabotage his million dollar shot.
● “Baseball Card Adventure” series​
by Dan Gutman -- Joe Stoshack has an amazing gift
When he touches old baseball cards he is magically transported to the time and place of the
player in the picture. Over time he has the chance to meet, and get tips from legendary
players ranging from Jackie Robinson to Babe Ruth.
● Unstoppable​
by Tim Green -- Former Atlanta Falcon Tim Green knows football. In
Unstoppable, foster kid Harrison has always had a difficult time, but has sought refuge in
football. When he is taken in by a kind family with a football coach father, Harrison feels like
his luck just might be shifting. Unfortunately, something that no one was expecting comes up
and Harrison might be sidelined forever.
Great Graphic Novels
● Flora and Ulysses​
by Kate DiCamillo -- Flora has doubts about pretty much everything. Little
does she know that a squirrel getting stuck in a powerful vacuum-cleaner is about to change
her life. Part comic, part novel, part comedy, part fantasy...this 2013 Newberry Award-winner
has something for everyone!
● Star Wars: Jedi Academy​
by Jeffrey Brown -- A sweet boy named Roan has started at a
new school and discovers that life will not be easier there, academically or socially. The big
difference between Roan’s school and those we are familiar with? His school is located in a
galaxy far, far away. Filled with familiar characters, Jedi Academy is a hilarious twist on both
the familiar Star Wars and Diary of a Wimpy Kid worlds.
● Amulet ​
by Kazu Kibuishi-- After tragedy strikes their family, Emily and Navin move with their
mother into the old home of their great-grandfather. On their very first night in the strange
house, Emily and Navin's mom is kidnapped by a tentacled creature. Determined to rescue
her, Emily and Navin are led into a world of robots, talking animals, flying ships, new allies . . .
and enemies. There, Emily learns that she is a Stonekeeper and essential to the survival of
this world, and that her incredible story is only just beginning.
● El Deafo​
by Cece Bell -- The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things
she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and
find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally
able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And
more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.
● Bake Sale ​
by Sara Varon -- Cupcake’s life is pretty good. He’s got his bakery, and his band,
and his best friend, Eggplant. His days are full of cooking, socializing, and playing music. But
lately, Cupcake has been struggling in the kitchen. He’s sure the solution to all his problems is
out there somewhere. But maybe that solution is hiding closer to home.
Neat Nonfiction
● “Who Was?”​
series ​
​
-- This excellent chapter book biography series (known for its distinctive
large-headed cover illustrations of historical figures) is perfect for students interested in
history or real-life heroes.
● The Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome​
by Brad Montague and Robby Novak -- In
​
this delightful read, Kid President pulls together lists of awesome ideas to help the world,
awesome interviews with his awesome celebrity friends, and a step-by-step guide to make
pretty much everything a little bit awesomer.
● Locamotive​
by Brian Floca -- “​
A family’s 1869 journey from Omaha to Sacramento aboard
the just-completed transcontinental railroad provides a compelling and fact-packed look at
history.”
● Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candlemaker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty​
by
Russell Freedman -- “Enlightening anecdotes and rich details enliven this biography of the
colorful, civic-minded American original who rose from humble origins to become one of our
greatest scientists, inventors, and statesmen.”
● Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini ​
by Sid Fleishman -- A man does not become the
most famous magician of all time by accident. This fascinating biography follows Houdini
from his childhood in Budapest, Hungary in the 1880’s to fame in America as an adult.
● Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker ​
by Patricia Hruby Powell -- This
extraordinary portrait of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker,
the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the
world, is a powerful story of struggle and triumph.