for the child, Land of Stories series or Percy Jackson

For you, I just finished Guncle Abroad which was a feel good story. Also anything by Katherine Center.

I "second" The Phantom Tollbooth recommendation. I was probably in the fourth grade when I read it. It's extraordinary.

For the fourth grader:

The Framed series by James Ponti - Takes place in DC about a kid who is so good at solving cases the FBI hires him as a consultant

The Wild Robot series

Oldy but goody: Holes by Louis Sachar

One of my favorites that I read to my son: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (so very well written)

A Man Called Ove
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Britt-Marie was Here

Anonymous wrote:Road to tender hearts, this is happiness.

Ugh totally the perfect choice for 2025-2026, but it's not something that OP can walk into her local library and find, it's too popular, unless you spot it on the lucky day shelf. Get a card and learn to put books on hold. They will transit them for you from other libraries.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine should be available since it's older. It's soo sweet, Eleanor is a delight.

First category: books by Laurie Colwin

Second category: books by Gordon Korman

Road to tender hearts, this is happiness.

For the 4th grader:

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Choose Your Own Adventure Books
Wayside school books by Louis Sachar
Danny Dunn books by Raymond Abrashkin and Jay Williams
McBroom books by Sid Fleischman
Beverly Cleary books
Kate Klise books
How to Eat Fried Worms
Hidden Talents by David Lubar
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald
Princess Tales books by Gail Carson Levine
Flat Stanley books by Jeff Brown
Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Encyclopedia Brown books
Einstein Anderson books
Secrets of Droon books by Tony Abbott
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
Sisters Grimm books by Michael Buckley
The Three Investigators

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (quirky poetry)

Nonfiction books like:
Guinness Book of World Records
Ripley’s Believe-It-or-Not
a children’s encyclopedia

I’m not sure what your child’s reading level is, so I tried to suggest a range, but if he leans towards either end, let me know and I may be able to suggest more books. Based on the books listed in your original post, I’ve leaned more towards humorous/offbeat books, but if you want a wider selection of books, I can offer additional suggestions.

If you’re trying to hook your child, I strongly recommend reading to them, and it doesn’t have to just be at bedtime. They can even color, build legos, play cars, eat a snack, etc., while they listen. Once they’re hooked, you might decide that your voice needs a break sometimes are you have to go do chores but they can either take a turn reading to you or read on ahead and you’ll catch up later.

I know that some recommend requiring a child to read for a specific time each day, but I strongly advise against this practice. I think reading should only be required when it serves a purpose. Daily reading when a child is learning to read makes sense as regular practice is important to master any skill. Once the skill is mastered, it makes sense to assign reading with a goal (“Read the next chapter so we can discuss it in class tomorrow” or “Pick a book to read and write a book report about it.”) Requiring a child to fulfill a daily quota of reading only accomplishes instilling resentment by turning an inherently enjoyable activity into a chore.

For the first one, check out Sophie Cousens and Abby Jimenez.

For the second one, do you have a boy? I have twin girls and they loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid but from there their tastes went to more "girly" books like Babysitter's Club. Do you think they'd like Nancy Drew? Those were my favorite at that time and they're somewhat gender-neutral.

Looking for "feel good" with happy ending books for myself. Please put in as many names as possible as the library closest to us is always out of the ones I am looking for.

I am also looking for book recommendations for a fourth grader outside of diary of a wimpy kid, Garfield, dog man and those types of books.