Reply to What does your 4th or 5th grader like to read that isn’t complete crap?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Here are some books that might include some of what you’re looking for, but the age is approximate and so is estimation of literary merit (or lack thereof):

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
The Westing Game
A Wrinkle in Time
Dark is Rising series
Roald Dahl
Holes by Louis Sachar
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How to Eat Fried Worms 
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Hidden Talents by David Lubar
Narnia Series (starting with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Green Knowe series
The Secret Garden

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (quirky poetry)

The Newberry Award books tend to be really good.  Here’s a list from Wikipedia (under Recipients - scroll down below the pictures)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal
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Love a lot of this list but I think some of them would be really heavy for a 4th grader. Dark is Rising has a pretty terrible view of the world ("might makes right and just be glad the relatively good guys end up being stronger than the really bad guys" basically) even though it's so incredibly well written. Wrinkle in Time, while much more hopeful than Dark is Rising, is great for some 4th graders but left me literally scared hiding behind a couch at that age.[/quote]

I’m the PP who made the suggestions.  I agree that Dark is Rising and Wrinkle in Time are more intense.  If that’s a concern, you should be aware that the Green Knowe series is particularly dark and intense.  Some of the others may have intense, scary, or sad parts as well.  Every family should, of course, make their own choices based on their values and the individual child’s personality.  If you have specific concerns, I encourage you to check Common Sense Media for more information.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-dark-is-rising

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/wrinkle%20in%20time

Unfortunately, the Green Knowe books aren’t reviewed on Common Sense media, but you can read reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

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