Read aloud texts are vital at every age and support the creation of strong readers. By reading aloud to students, we help to foster strong literacy skills such as reading fluency, auditory comprehension, the usage of expression and tone, modeling thinking, text features, introduction to new vocabulary, and of course, we get to share our love of reading - which is contagious!
This is why choosing read aloud texts that are grade-level appropriate AND engaging, is important. When you choose a read aloud text, you should know your audience! In this case, we are looking for texts that are appropriate for the 4th grade level.
While the texts do not have to be at a 4th grade reading level, they should take into consideration the age and demographic of the group; this includes things such as background knowledge, an appropriate reading level so that students are introduced to new vocabulary, and engagement (interests, relatable characters, appealing illustrations, etc).
Here are a selection of wonderful books and diverse favorite read alouds that are suited for the 4th grade classroom.
Read Aloud Tips for 4th Graders
Model Thinking Aloud
While you read aloud, when you come to an important part of the book, stop and pause. Then “think aloud” to your class. This models what a good reader should be doing - even when reading silently.
Emphasize Tone and Expression
While you read aloud, when you come to an important part of the book, stop and pause. Then “think aloud” to your class. This models what a good reader should be doing - even when reading silently.
Make the Reading Interactive
During a read aloud, you should have pre-planned stopping points to ask questions. To engage students even more, you can use hand signals like thumbs up/down (agree/disagree) to get a class consensus and all students involved. Then ask follow-up questions to explain their choice. You can also make it interactive by having them read aloud a word where you stop.
Have Students Make Inferences
Throughout the text, create stopping points where students need to make an inference or prediction. You can have students do a quick “stop and jot” and have a few students with different guesses share out. Make sure that all students provide textual evidence as to why this is their prediction.
Teach Listening Skills
Read aloud is a great time to work on listening comprehension. This is especially great for students who struggle with literacy. It is as simple as having a focus question before starting the text. As you read, ask students to answer the question, making sure to provide evidence from the text.
26 suggested 4th grade read-aloud books
1. Wherever I Go by Mary Wagley Copp
A nice book for a group read aloud, it teaches 4th graders about hope and love through the eyes of Abia and her refugee family. A fictional picture book that is good to pair with current events or Social Studies.
2. The BFG by Roald Dahl
An imaginative tale about friendship, kindness, and heroism. This read is a 4th grade favorite! Pair with the film as you read each chapter to look for similarities and differences.
3. Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera
Great for a poetry unit, this read aloud is a free-verse memoir that is beautifully illustrated. Can be used to teach character traits and paired with poetry writing about goals and where students see their future heading.
4. Rosie Swanson: Fourth Grade Geek for President by Barbara Park
An honest book told in narrative form that portrays what it’s like being in the 4th grade - being a tattletale, bullying, and bragging. Has themes around friendship and telling on others.
5. Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
A book of sibling rivalry, that most 4th graders could relate to, Peter is witty and humorous while dealing with little brother Fudge’s antics. A classic book with lots of resources available online for lesson planning.
6. Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
An often unheard non-fiction picture book about segregation in schools in the US. This text tells about a Mexican girl, Sylvia, who was forced to go to a school far from her home…until her father decided to fight it. A wonderful book to pair alongside any text about the Civil Rights Movement.
7. Holes by Louis Sachar
A modern classic book that can be used to teach about character traits. Stanley is under a curse, a family curse. He is at a camp that is supposed to work on character building by digging holes, but there’s much more happening.
8. The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg
A book that is great to use for making predictions, a snobby dentist is paid for his work in “magic figs”. Follow along through text and illustrations to see what fate awaits him. Overall, a tale of the consequences of treating others unkindly.
9. Escape From Mr. Limoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
A New York Times bestselling series, this text is great for any classroom! Not only to learn reading skills, but also as a way to learn about using the library. A “Willie Wonka”-esque type book, where 12 students get locked in a library and must solve puzzles to escape, it teaches things like, how to use the Dewey Decimal System or asking a librarian for help.
10. The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse
While a fictional text, this is a wonderful picture book for an age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust. 4th graders will be introduced to an amazing girl who is Jewish and how she became part of the resistance during WWII after learning how cats out-smarted the Gestapo at the train station.
11. Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds
A great picture book about friendship that’s appropriate for a quick group read. The illustrations are engaging and somewhat humorous. Nerdy Birdy is a kid who loves reading and video games; unfortunately, this makes him “uncool”. That is until he learns that there are more “uncool” kids than “cool” ones. It teaches students that being yourself is important and that there are always people you can relate to.
12. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
An interesting 4th grade chapter book that brings together fiction with Greek mythology and would be great to pair alongside a text on US landmarks, Percy is a spirited youth who often gets himself into mishaps. These troubles lead to continuously getting kicked out of school, but with good reason - like when someone is being a bully. Any 4th grade class will easily engage in the adventures and light-hearted humor of this read aloud.
13. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman
A non-fiction text with great illustrations, the book tells about Maria Sibyla Merianm who was the first person to document the metamorphosis of a butterfly. The story tells of the first female entomology who went against what was expected of her and instead followed her love of learning and insects.
14. Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
Students will learn empathy and about the importance of being their true selves. Amina is a Muslim student who has just entered Middle School, but things here are different. Kids are worried about fitting in and being cool. One of the “cool girls” talks about how her friend Soojin should change their names to something “American”, but Amina loves her culture and traditions. She starts to question if she should change who she is just to fit in.
15. Restart by Gordon Korman
Chase falls from a roof and gets amnesia and can’t remember anything - friends, family, nothing…not even that he used to be the star football player and a big bully. After his amnesia, some treat him as a hero, others are scared of him. When Chase realizes who he used to be, he also sees that maybe being popular isn’t as important as being kind.
16. A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
Inspired by a true story of a wolf named Journey, this novel tells about a young cub who is separated from his pack. He must find a new home and so he adventures out into the Pacific Northwest where he encounters danger: hunters, forest fires, hunger, and more. Great to use for a book comparison or companion you with a non-fiction text on wolves.
17. One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko
A funny and heart-warming story about a family and their dog. The story will teach students about the importance of family and having the grit to help the ones we love.
18. Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis
Based on a real Native American family, the book tells a story of a family from the Umpqua tribe who is forced to relocate after their reservation is closed by the government. The book teaches the students about prejudices people have faced in our country and finding your true identity when your culture has been erased overnight.
19. Pumpkin Falls Mysteries by Heather Vogel Frederick
Pumkin Falls is a book series that is great for read aloud, addition to book lists, or use for book club! A middle-grade mystery series, the first book, Absolutely Truly, tells about Truly moving to the small Pumpkin falls with her family to take over the family's struggling bookshop. Truly finds a mystery and her and some friends run around town trying to solve it..and chase clues that could lead to danger.
20. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
A fantastic book and fiction novel that weaves together two stories told 50 years apart - Ben who is in search of his biological father that he has never known and Rose who is curious about a mysterious actress. The book tells of a captivating journey of the children - Ben’s jointly told through text and Rose’s told through illustrations. A great read aloud that engages all students!
21. A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
Mia Winchell, a thirteen-year-old girl, lives with a rare disease called Synesthesia where her senses get mixed up. When she hears sounds, she sees colors. A novel about the hardships of being different and problems she faces with bullies, friends, and having you tell your parents about your secret, it is a relatable story for any pre-teen.
22. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A great chapter book for any 4th grader. It tells the story of the Pullman family and their son Auggie, who has a facial deformity. Auggie used to be homeschooled, but his parents decide to put him in public school, where he has to deal with bullying, but his friends help him through. A book about differences, empathy, and friendship - it is a sweet story that helps students recognize we are all special.
23. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Read the comedic tales of the Fletcher family - made of two adopted boys and two dads. In this book, the family is dealing with a new grumpy neighbor who might ruin everything. Funny and honest, and deals with trying new things and making difficult choices, it is a great read for any 4th grader.
24. The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
A great book for kids to be introduced to the hardships during the Great Depression. Though a piece of fiction, it tells the story of a smart girl, Deza, who after the Depression hits, finds herself and her family living in Hooverville outside of Flint, Michigan. However, Deza IS mighty and as students read, you can see her perseverance.
25. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Inspired by Chinese folk stories, this fantasy adventure novel is a captivating story of a young girl, Minli, who lives in a hut with her poor family. Her father tells her tales each night, which inspires her to go on adventures to try and change her family's fortune. Along the way, she meets a colorful cast of characters.
26. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A beautiful book, based on a true story and written in free verse, the poem tells the story of a gorilla, Ivan, who lives in a cage at the mall. He is happy there…until he meets a new friend and begins remembering what life is like before living in a cage.
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