Reading Recommendations

Over the years I have shared a number of posts with some of our favorite books. But one of the most common questions and issues I ran into with evaluations this year was, “My student has a higher reading level, but I’m struggling to find books that are still age appropriate, but are still challenging.”

I’ve been working on some lists and scouring the inter webs, asking my evaluation families, social media groups, and friends, “What are your kids reading!?” This is by no means an exhaustive list. I have not read every book on this list (though I’ve read many!). This list starts around 3rd grade and works its way up through middle school. Use your discretion. You know your child. You know your own boundaries and expectations. Older books may use language or have social components that are no longer considered acceptable in 2025.

I will do my best to update this list as I come across more books to add! πŸ™‚

TitleAuthorLexileNotesCategoryAge Recommendation
The Boxcar ChildrenGertrude Chandler Warner490Simple mysteries, strong sibling bondsMysteryGrade 3–4 (Ages 8–9)
Sarah, Plain and TallPatricia MacLachlan560Family, loss, and new beginningsHistoricalGrade 3–4 (Ages 8–9)
Encyclopedia BrownDonald J. Sobol560Solve-it-yourself mini mysteriesMysteryGrade 3–4 (Ages 8–9)
Carry On, Mr. BowditchJean Lee Latham570Navigation and perseveranceHistoricalGrade 3–4 (Ages 8–9)
Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo610Love and healing through unexpected friendshipsRealisticGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Great BrainJohn D. Fitzgerald640Mischievous but moral young con artistMysteryGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
MandieLois Gladys Leppard640Christian mysteries with a brave girl leadFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Green EmberS.D. Smith660Christian themes, heroic rabbitsFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
HolesLouis Sachar660Mysterious plot and redemption arcMysteryGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Number the StarsLois Lowry670WWII-era heroism and faithHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Tale of DespereauxKate DiCamillo670Mouse adventure with heroism and redemptionFantasyGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Charlotte’s WebE.B. White680Friendship, sacrifice, and wonderRealisticGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Missionary Stories with the MillersMildred A. Martin700Real missionary storiesFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Sea Star: Orphan of ChincoteagueMarguerite Henry700Care for an orphaned foalHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
In Grandma’s AtticArleta Richardson700Faith-based stories of childhood in simpler timesFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Betsy-TacyMaud Hart Lovelace700Turn-of-the-century girlhood and friendshipClassicGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Riding FreedomPam MuΓ±oz Ryan720Historical fiction based on a female stagecoach driverHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
A Place to Hang the MoonKate Albus720Evacuated siblings during WWII find a new familyHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Star of LightPatricia St. John720Redemptive rescue storyFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Stormy, Misty’s FoalMarguerite Henry730Sequel with family and care themesHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Castle in the AtticElizabeth Winthrop750Time travel and braveryFantasyGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Westing GameEllen Raskin750Whodunit with clever twistsMysteryGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
All-of-a-Kind FamilySydney Taylor750Jewish family life in early 1900s NYCHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Misty of ChincoteagueMarguerite Henry750Pony lovers and wild horse rescueHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Esperanza RisingPam MuΓ±oz Ryan750From wealth to hardship in Depression-era AmericaHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Tales of the KingdomDavid & Karen Mains750Allegorical talesFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Sign of the BeaverElizabeth George Speare770Frontier survival storyHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The PenderwicksJeanne Birdsall770Family-centered storytellingRealisticGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The BorrowersMary Norton780Tiny people living in secret under a houseFantasyGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Door WithinWayne Thomas Batson780Allegorical Christian fantasyFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Indian in the CupboardLynne Reid Banks780Magical realismHistoricalGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Mary PoppinsP.L. Travers790Whimsical, magical nannyFantasyGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
The Chronicles of NarniaC.S. Lewis790Allegorical Christian themesFaith-BasedGrade 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Helen KellerMargaret Davidson800Biography of perseverance and learningBiographyGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Justin Morgan Had a HorseMarguerite Henry810Founding of a horse breedHistoricalGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
The Wingfeather SagaAndrew Peterson810Fantasy with biblical echoesFaith-BasedGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
FrindleAndrew Clements830Creative boy vs. strict teacherHumorGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Lassie Come HomeEric Knight850Loyalty and perseverance of a dogClassicGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Anne of Green GablesL.M. Montgomery850Wholesome, witty storyClassicGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
I Am DavidAnne Holm860Escape and faithFaith-BasedGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Martha WashingtonJean Brown Wagoner870Biography of the First Lady’s early yearsBiographyGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Five Little PeppersMargaret Sidney870Poor but loving familyClassicGrade 5–6 (Ages 10–11)
Old YellerFred Gipson910Coming-of-age in pioneer TexasHistoricalGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook FarmKate Douglas Wiggin950Spirited heroineClassicGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
The Story of Madame CurieAlice Thorne950Biography of Nobel-winning scientistBiographyGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
A Little PrincessFrances Hodgson Burnett970Imagination and kindnessClassicGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
The Secret GardenFrances Hodgson Burnett970Healing and friendshipClassicGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
HeidiJohanna Spyri990Caregiving and joyClassicGrade 6–7 (Ages 11–12)
The HobbitJ.R.R. Tolkien1000Epic adventureFantasyGrade 7+ (Ages 12+)
Black BeautyAnna Sewell1010Teaches empathy through horse’s POVClassicGrade 7+ (Ages 12+)
King Arthur and His KnightsRoger Lancelyn Green1080Chivalry and high adventureClassicGrade 7+ (Ages 12+)

Want some more reading recs? Check out:
Amazon Book List
Books
A Year of 365 Books
What I’ve Been Reading
Book Kits for Family Read Aloud Time