Books for Fourth & Fifth Graders
Favorites for upper elementary readers! (Updated April 2025)
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Kareem Between
The trials and tribulations of seventh grade are further complicated when Kareem’s mother is unable to return home from Syria due to an executive order.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Buzzing
Isaac is a shy middle schooler with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, his intrusive thoughts constantly buzzing around his head like bullying bees. But when he discovers role-playing games through new friends, the ‘bees’ swarm less frequently.
Format: Graphic Novel
Availability: Available
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The Bletchley Riddle
Siblings Jakob and Lizzie are drawn into WWII intrigue, as 19-year-old Jakob becomes a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, and 14-year-old Lizzie tries to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Your Pets' Secret Lives
From fierce hamster stink wars to canaries’ invisible-force-field superpowers, who knew there was so much more to understand about our furry and scaly friends?
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Cartoonists Club
Four middle school friends join forces to create comics together and hope to share their work at the upcoming comics convention.
Format: Book
Availability: On order
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Lion Dancers
Wei is still grieving the death of his father but finds comfort by re-igniting his passion for lion dancing. His skill and dedication impress everyone on the junior lion dance team – everyone except his ex-best friend.
Format: Graphic Novel
Availability: Available
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Not Quite A Ghost
11-year-old Violet is dealing with a lot of changes – starting middle school and moving to a new house. At first she’s excited about having her own room, but strange nightmares, visions, and a lingering illness lead her to suspect that her attic room is haunted.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Safe Harbor
Geetha is sad about moving from India to the U.S, and she misses her family and pet dog back home. But things start to get better when she and a new friend help rescue a stranded seal.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Mascot
Six eighth graders in Washington, DC, navigate through the conflict and division sparked by a school assignment focused on their town's racist Native American mascot.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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All the Blues in the Sky
13-year-old Sage is grieving the death of her best friend, but group counseling sessions are beginning to help her heal.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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