Check out these realistic fiction books for 4th and 5th graders. The protagonists in these books are relatable, with problems similar to the ones today’s kids face. The writing and maturity level is perfect for 9 to 10-year-olds.
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Our Top 3 Picks. Click on the picture for details.
For teaching the kids to ignore others and do the right thing
For handling a very relatable issue of over emphasis on test scores
Not worry much about what others think and embrace the reality
17 Best Realistic Fiction Books for Grades 4 and 5
Here are 17 good realistic fiction books your 9-10 years old is sure to love.
Fudge-a-Mania
Fudge-A-Mania. In this fourth book from the Fudge series, Fudge is creating more troubles for his brother Peter than ever.
On top of that their parents have decided to share a summer home with the Tubmans – the family of Peter’s sworn enemy Sheila.
Will it be the vacation Peter had hoped for. Read and find in this middle-grade laugh riot.
Loser
Loser. The story is about a boy Zinkoff, who does not fit in with the crowd. He is always giving the wrong answers in class, tripping over things, and making himself a laughing stock all the time.
Kids at school call him by various names. But Zinkoff does hear them, as he is too occupied in his own thoughts. Things change when he is in sixth grade.
A good book emphasizing not to try to fit in and instead do things that seem right.
A Boy Called Bat
A Boy Called Bat. This heartfelt story is about a child, nicknamed Bat, with autism. His mother, a veterinarian, brought home a sick baby skunk one day to take care of and hand over to the animal shelter.
Bat wants to keep the baby skunk and he just has a month to change his mother’s mind. The story has a realistic tone to it with divorced parents, an elder sister, and a child’s challenges.
This is the first book from this series. Get the other books, if you like this series.
Saving Mr. Terupt
Saving Mr. Terupt. Kids from Mr. Terupt’s fifth and sixth years are entering their first year of junior high.
The usual gang of Peter, Alexia, Jeffrey, Danielle, Jessica, Luke are having troubles of their own. They want Mr. Terupt to help them out, but he is missing.
Read on to find out what happens. The entire series is quite relatable for kids. Start with the first book from the series.
Farmer Boy
Farmer Boy. This book narrates a nine-year-old boy’s life on a farm for one full year in the 1860s.
Rising at 5 am every day to milk cows and feedstock, planting and tending to crops. He hauls logs in the winter along with taking care of oxen.
He also goes to school when possible after finishing all the farm chores. A delightful read to understand the hard work many kids go through to live a life.
The Long Winter
The Long Winter. It is a story about how a young boy Almanzo Wilder and his friend bravely face a blizzard and get food supplies for the town folks. Thus saving them from starvation.
This is the sixth book from the series Little House on the Prairie.
The series provides a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier and tells the heartwarming story of a loving family. A must-read for middle graders.
Rules
Rules. It is a fantastic book about a twelve-year-old girl – Catherine. She has a brother with autism and is embarrassed by his behavior in public.
So, she makes sets of rules for David to follow. Catherine is always frustrated that she has to take care of David so much.
However, with the help of a new friend, she realizes it is her own thinking that is making her feel embarrassed. One needs to embrace reality.
This one is a Newbery Honor Book.
The Lemonade Crime
The Lemonade Crime. The siblings – Evan and Jessie are convinced that Scott Spencer stole their money made from the Lemonade sale. Their fourth-grade class created a courtroom on the playground, to conduct a trial for Scott.
It is not easy since Evan and Scott are friends and Scott is a popular boy at school. The mock trial continues with all sides arguing their points.
And finally, the truth comes out. This is an excellent book dealing with the complex emotions of kids.
Check out the entire Lemonade Wars series here.
Henry and Beezus
Henry And Beezus Henry is raising money for his bike by doing odd works – like selling bubble gums, delivering papers.
But things keep on falling out of order. However, through all these troubles, Henry can still count on his friend Beezus to stand by his side.
This classic story is a fun read about friendship.
My Life as a Meme
My Life As A Meme. Derek Fallon likes making funny memes about others.
However, he realizes the mistake when he finds himself at the center of a viral meme. A funny and relatable book for today’s online generation.
Check out other book from The My Life Series.
The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score. This book deals with the topic of standardized tests and how they affect students on an emotional level.
Follow the journey of a bunch of students from Mrs. Woods’s sixth-grade class. With different things going on with their lives, students are confused and struggle to deal with exam time anxiety.
Read the book and find out the real meaning of the perfect score.
Also, check out other books from The Perfect Score trilogy.
Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One
Cool Zone With The Pain And The Great One This is the second book from the Pain and the Great One Series from Judy Blume. The entire series is about sibling rivalry.
The book emphasizes that even though siblings don’t always agree with each other, they still have each other’s back when needed.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball. This series needs no introduction for today’s kids. In this book, Greg Heffley and his family are making home improvements.
However, it opened up a different world of complexity altogether – with toxic molds, unwelcome critters, and many more.
Find out if the Heffleys would be able to complete the renovation and stay.
The Special Kid
The Special Kid. This powerful story is about an autistic kid standing up to a school bully.
Bullying at school has become a global menace and many kids are too scared to report or do something about it.
This book tells the kids to be true to themselves and stand up for what they believe in. The main character is an African American boy, adding a welcome diversity.
Love from Lexie
this book Lexie’s life has changed after her Mom vanished. A new school, new home, new family – there is just too much going on.
In between all these, Lexie does not lose hope and writes to her mother every day, hoping to get an answer.
The author handles many complex issues like mental health, abandonment, domestic violence, etc in this book, with simplicity easily understandable by children.
The story is uplifting and with full of hope.
Long Shot (Comeback Kids)
Long Shot (Comeback Kids). Pedro is a good basketball player and a team guy. His friend Ned is a star player for the team.
However, their friendship gets tested when both the boys stand for class president and compete against each other.
A good sports fiction book with everyday problems kids face.
