The best books at this stage are going to pique their curiosity, drive interest in new areas, and strengthen their comprehension in a big way. As your little one explores everything from middle grade fiction, to graphic novels, to activity books and more—there’s a whole lot to choose from. We’re highlighting some of the books that we’ve seen fifth graders fall for time and time again. Here are Literati’s top picks for fifth grade readers:

Strange But True: 10 of the World’s Greatest Mysteries Explained

by Katherine Hulick

In this captivating book, Hulick takes readers on a fact-first journey from UFOs to krakens, with a pit stop in Atlantis. The author provides psychological and scientific explanations behind these mysterious phenomena to help your child learn how science can help discern fact from fiction. Hulick invites your reader to think scientifically and expand their critical thinking skills. In her pursuit of factual explanations for strange phenomena, she covers a wide variety of historical and scientific topics—your reader will learn a little bit of psychology, geography, and even some marine biology!

Framed!

by James Ponti

Framed! centers on a young sleuth who is so good he’s “on the FBI Director’s speed dial.” Think Sherlock Holmes in grade school with a sharp sense of humor—and it’s just the first of the series! We love an independent problem-solver, but the strong friendship at the center of the story makes it a must-read. Plus, the main character’s framework for solving life’s daily mysteries is one that your young reader can keep in their toolbelt, too.

The Homework Machine

by Dan Gutman

A nerd, a wisecracker, a goody-two-shoes, and a slacker. What could these four possibly have in common? They all share one secret: the homework machine. In this cross-clique adventure, the D Squad is on a mission to hide their magical creation from fellow fifth graders—or worse, their teachers.

In The Homework Machine, it’s a classic humans vs. technology battle. Will the squad be able to control their machine? Or will they lose their special tool… and also their top grades? Your favorite young reader will cackle with every page of this hilarious sci-fi adventure.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

by Dusti Bowling

Born without arms and adopted as a toddler, our protagonist is the new girl in town. She’s also a daydreamer with an attitude and a wild sense of humor—but her life takes a turn when she discovers a secret in a rundown western theme park.

This inspiring story will prepare your reader for longer, more in-depth narratives, while sharing lessons in empathy and self-acceptance that are spot-on for their social development.

LOL: A Keepsake Journal of Hilarious Q&As

By Brandon T. Snider

“Dear Diary” can get a little boring from time to time. How about a prompt to get that journal entry started—would you rather shave your head or wear the ugliest wig in the world for a week? Eat a slug, or keep a live cricket in your mouth for five minutes?

With super silly would-you-rathers, fill-in-the-blanks, and doodle ideas, this book beats a blank diary any day of the week. Your middle-grader will love coloring outside the lines in this keepsake journal and digging deep to answer thought-provoking questions.

This is Not a Science Book

By Clive Gifford

Don’t let the title fool you—this activity book teaches science through stealth. Your middle-grader will draw, puzzle, and build their way through this super-interactive book, and before they know it, become a science sage.

This book is a perfect pick for kids who are shy around the subjects of math and science. They’ll map out bones in the body, create their own optical illusions, and even build high-flying rotocopters. This book is a non-intimidating romp through the natural world, making it the best book for sixth graders or seventh graders who struggle with science.

Readers Thrive with Literati

As your reader ventures into longer stories and more complicated plots, it’s important to find books that fit their level. Books that are too easy won’t keep them engaged, and books that are too challenging can discourage them from reading. 

With Literati’s personalized kids book clubs, you’ll never have to worry whether your bookshelf is suited to support your child’s progress. Instead, you’ll get a box of books that are perfectly-curated for their reading level and their unique interests. 

The post The Best Books for Fifth Graders appeared first on Literati.

To reveal the hidden gems of the mystery genre, we put these stories under the magnifying glass. Here are six mystery books that your fourth- or fifth-grade Sherlock-in-training is gonna wanna get to the bottom of—and stat!

Case Closed #1: Mystery in the Mansion

By Lauren Magaziner

Mystery in the Mansion is the first of the Case Closed, choose-your-own-adventure mystery series. Readers can pick their own paths and discover clues and cliffhangers along the way, but stay alert! The stakes are high for Carlos and his friends—he can’t save his mom’s detective agency without our help! By making different decisions and finding out where each path leads, mystery buffs can fortify their understanding of cause and effect.

Framed!

By James Ponti

Framed! centers on a young sleuth who is so good he’s “on the FBI Director’s speed dial.” Think Sherlock Holmes in grade school with a sharp sense of humor—and it’s just the first of the series! We love an independent problem-solver, but the strong friendship at the center of the story makes it a must-read. Plus, the main character’s framework for solving life’s daily mysteries is one that your young reader can keep in their toolbelt, too.

If your special agent is less of a Sherlock and more of a James Bond… Check out Spy School. In this story, Ben Ripley is a case-cracking middle-schooler appointed to a secret arm of the CIA … or so he thinks. (Psst—it’s also the first of a New York Times bestselling series).

Super Puzzletastic Mysteries

by Chris Grabenstein

In this riddling collection, regarded mystery novelists bring their puzzle-producing chops to kids lit. Ready to test your detective skills for real? Brave investigators can try to solve the mystery themselves, then flip to the back of the book to uncover the truth.

With well-known writers at the helm, fourth-graders (and up!) will learn a thing or two about the elements of a great story—who knows, they might even try their hand at writing one!

Secret of the Staircase (Virginia Mysteries #4)

by Steven K. Smith

Mystery with a side of history? Yes, please! Brothers Sam and Derek must get to the bottom of a mysterious wedding mishap at the historic Jefferson Hotel. Despite some thrills and chills, these two brothers have each other’s backs, through thick, thin, and alligators … allegedly.

If historical fiction has them intrigued about real-life mysteries…

We suspect they’ll love Strange but True: 10 of the World’s Greatest Mysteries Explained. It’s got a slew of sneaky, slimy, supernatural stories—but be careful, it’s up to your little detective to stay sharp, and separate fact from fiction.

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

by Adam Shaughnessy

Classic mythology, meet contemporary mystery-solving. This delightful, race-to-the-finish read is everything we want from a young-reader mystery novel: clever, satisfying, and intriguing to the last page.

Packed with Norse and Russian mythology, this fantasy is a major departure from your average middle-school whodunnit—a little bit of genre-blending can go a long way for a budding bookworm!

Literati Book Clubs Solve the Mystery of What Middle-Graders Want to Read

Case closed. These stories are more than clues and cliffhangers—they’re full of pro-level problem solvers who can deduce with the best of ‘em.

We’ve got a hunch that your curious reader won’t want to put these down, but when all the mysteries are solved, there’s plenty more to discover! With a Literati Kids book club subscription, your reader can uncover stories in every genre, with a book box that’s personalized to fit their interests. As their sleuthing (and reading) skills grow stronger, we’ll send books that keep them challenged, learning, and always excited for the next adventure. Take the quiz to get started!

The post The Best Mystery Books for Kids Grades 4-5 appeared first on Literati.

From black holes to robot battles, these Literati kids book club selections will thrill budding scientists. Complex topics, like technological ethics of the future, become approachable (and even fun) with a sprinkle of imagination. Add in a relatable protagonist, and you’ve got every 4th to 6th grader hooked.

Got your seatbelt fastened? Then let’s launch our rockets and explore the best science fiction books for kids ages nine to twelve.

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

by Trudi Trueit

Forget book reports—at Explorer Academy, students are graded on their code-cracking, obstacle coursing, and virtual-reality explorations. But for new pupil Cruz, this elite school has a few more challenges up its sleeves.

With solvable puzzles, Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret is the perfect book for those who need a little brain challenge to stay engaged. Get your young scientist in on the journey, and give them Trudi Truett’s full-throttle adventure.

The Last Human

By Lee Bacon

In robot XR_935’s world, humans are creatures of the past. That is, until the impossible happens: XR discovers a 12-year-old girl—a human girl. Can one human rescue the fate of her entire species? Or is humankind lost for good to its own machinery?

The Last Human is one of the best kids books to stretch imaginations, capturing themes like morality and societal norms. Sprinkles of humor and plenty of action will keep your reader flipping pages like a reading machine!

The Homework Machine

By Dan Gutman

A nerd, a wisecracker, a goody-two-shoes, and a slacker. What could these four possibly have in common?

They all share one secret: the homework machine.

In this cross-clique adventure, the D Squad is on a mission to hide their magical creation (lovingly known as Belch). But as Belch grows in power, the squad races to hide their invention from fellow fifth graders—or worse, their teachers.

In The Homework Machine, it’s a classic humans vs. technology battle. Will the squad be able to control their machine? Or will they lose their special tool… and also their top grades? Your favorite young reader will cackle with every page of this hilarious sci-fi adventure.

George’s Secret Key to the Universe

By Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Who else besides Stephen Hawking could make black holes fun? Strap into your imaginary space shuttle, and soar through George’s Secret Key to the Universe! With the help of a mystical computer, young George and his scientist friends use space-bending portals to explore the great unknown.

Mixing space science with a charming plot, George’s Secret Key to the Universe is the perfect gateway to the cosmos. The combo of Hawking’s deep knowledge and his journalist daughter’s prose keep this book approachable yet utterly fascinating for young astronauts.

EngiNerds

By Jarrett Lerner

Ken, Dan, and their friends are your typical geek squad, or as they prefer to say, the EngiNerds. Dan has a little surprise for his fellow comrades—the robotic invention, Greeeg.

At first, the Greeeg models are a dream come true, but as Ken discovers, this amateur creation has a few bugs and a gigantic appetite! Now, it’s up to the EngiNerds and their robotic skills to destroy these food-blasting creations. Humor, wit, and good ‘ol nerd appreciation fill every page of EngiNerds. It’s one of the best books for fourth graders to laugh and feel at home among fellow science-lovers.

Our Hypothesis? Your Child Will Love Literati Book Clubs

For budding astronauts and engineers alike, these sci-fi books aren’t just filled with imagination and fun (although there’s lots of that). These books can be a fantastic introduction to STEM concepts and help your reader take interest in different science topics! 

Whatever your child is interested in, Literati’s book clubs can bring you the perfect selection—thanks to top-notch curation expertise and a little bit of science. Start with the personalization quiz, and get books picked to match your child’s interests and reading level. Curation adapts as they grow, so no matter your kid’s passion, there’s a read that’ll keep them on the edge of their seats.

Just keep an eye on their experiments going forward, and remind your kid it’s important to program morality into their chore-completing robots!

The post Experiment with Our Favorite Sci-Fi Books for 4th-6th Graders appeared first on Literati.