5th Grade Reading List with FREE Printable Book List

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5th grade reading book lists

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you will love this handy printable 5th grade reading list:

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin follows a ten year old boy named Sasha Zaichik as he joins the Soviet Young Pioneers and sees the world he thought he knew crumbling around him.

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong (4.7) introduces readers to a little Dutch fishing village named Shora. When a young girl and her schoolmates decide to question why storks no longer nest there, they start on a determined path to bring them back.

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (4.8) explores the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma with a fourteen year old boy named Jay. When he comes across a band of monkeys, he learns that they escaped from a traveling circus, and there is a reward for their return.

The Cricket in Times Square (4.9) tells the story of Chester Cricket, a country cricket who found his way to New York City by way of a picnic basket, and the friends, both animal and human, that he makes there.

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (4.9) is a story told through letters between a young boy named Leigh Botts and his favorite author Boyd Henshaw. As he struggles with divorce, bullying, and insecurity, he finds help in their letters.

The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill (5.0) follows a sixth grader named Rufus Mayflower in 1960s Cleveland as he attempt to save money on toothpaste by making a gallon of his own. But the experiment results in a lot more than he expected.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson (5.0) introduces readers to 14 year old Travis as he tries to take care of his family and their farm with the help of his new best friend, a stray dog he calls Old Yeller.

Reading list for 5th grade

Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune tells the story of a collie named Lad. The book was written over 100 years ago, introducing readers to life in a much different time.

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne offers an epic tale of adventure, discovery, and exploration. Join Professor Lidenbrock, his nephew Axel, and their native guide as they follow an old manuscript to try to find the center of the Earth.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne is a classic novel following Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout as they attempt to travel around the world in 80 days, facing danger and surprises everywhere they travel.

By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman (5.1) tells the story of a twelve year old boy named Jack who heads to California to try to strike it rich in order to help his aunt pay her debts.

5th grade books to read

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (5.1) introduces the reader to a mouse named Mrs. Frisby and her four mouse children. When they find themselves in danger, Mrs. Frisby turns to the extraordinary rats of NIMH for help.

The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame (5.2) shares the story of a young boy who finds a poetry loving dragon and works with St. George to come up with a plan to save him from the townspeople.

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald (5.2) is the first book in the Great Brain series. This story introduces readers to Tom, the Great Brain, a ten year old con man who figures out how to save the day while also making a profit.

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (5.2) tells the story of Pollyanna, a young girl who is sent to live with her strict Aunt Polly after the death of her father. She uses her ability to always look on the bright side to face her new situation head on.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (5.2) is a story set in Elizabethan England. It follows a young orphan named Widge who is tasked with stealing Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (5.2) is a story of survival and adventure following a young man named Sam Gribley who runs away from home to live in the woods on the Catskill Mountains.

The Big Wave by Pearl S Buck tells the story of two young friends in Japan who must learn to navigate grief and sorrow when a big wave washes away their village.

5th grade book list

The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 1) by Lloyd Alexander (5.3) is the first story in the Chronicles of Prydain series. It follows Taran the assistant pig keeper on his quest to become a hero and save the legendary land of Prydain.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan (5.3) follows a young Norwegian boy named Peter who becomes involved with a plot to save gold from the invading Nazi forces.

The Borrowers by Mary Norton (5.3) introduces readers to the Clock family, who are tiny people who create their home out of objects they borrow from the family of humans living above them.

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody (5.3) takes readers to a Colorado ranch in the early 1900s as a young boy named Ralph Moody shares his experiences learning how to ranch with his father.

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes (5.4) is a tale about bullying and kindness that shares the story of a young girl named Wanda who is teased for wearing the same dress every day, and the important lesson that her classmates learn after she is taken out of school.

The Quest Begins (Seekers 1) by Erin Hunter (5.4) is the first in the Seekers series, following three young bears of different species as they join together and try to survive the unknown.

To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Wendie C. Old (5.4) introduces readers to the life and accomplishments of Orville and Wilbur Wright, from their childhood fascination with flying to their successful first flight.

Grade 5 reading list

King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian by Marguerite Henry (5.4) tells the story of a golden-red stallion named Sham and his stable boy friend Agba, and their many adventures together.

Frindle by Andrew Clements (5.4) follows a young boy named Nick Allen as he decides to change the word “pen” to “frindle”, and watches the new word take off across his school, his town, and even the country.

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling (5.4) explores the water ways from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean by following the journey of a little wooden carved canoe and figure named Paddle-to-the-Sea.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (5.4) is a survival story about a young Indian girl named Karana who spends 18 years alone on an island, battling against the many obstacles against her.

Henry Reed, Inc. by Keith Robertson (5.5) is a story written in journal form by a young boy named Henry Reed. While visiting with his aunt and uncle, he comes up with a money making idea, and joins up with his neighbor Midge Glass.

book list for 5th graders

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (5.5) is a fantasy story inspired by Chinese folklore which tells the story of a young girl named Minli who sets off on a mission to find the Old Man on the Moon.

The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong (5.5) tells the story of a young boy named Tien Pao whose family escaped the Japanese army. While he is sleeping, his boat breaks loose and he finds himself right back among the soldiers, struggling to find his way back to his family.

Redwall by Brian Jacques (5.6) follows a group of mice who are trying to defend themselves against an army of rats, and a young apprentice who hopes to save the day with a legendary weapon.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater (5.6) introduces readers to Mr. Popper, a house painter who receives a penguin at his home, and soon finds his house full of penguins.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (5.6) is a story of adventure following a young man named Jim Hawkins who finds a treasure map and sets sail with a band of pirates to find buried treasure.

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet (5.6) tells the story of Elmer, a young boy who decides to venture to Wild Island to rescue a captured dragon and possibly fly with him.

5th grade reading books

Here are even more chapter books for 5th graders!

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (5.7) tells the story of 9 year old Cassie Logan and her family as they deal with racism and injustice in Mississippi during the Depression.

Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (5.7) follows a young girl named Garnet who buries a thimble in the dry riverbed on her family’s farm. Soon after, it starts to rain, saving their farm from drought. The story shares all the twists and turns of the incredible summer that follows.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan tells the story of Rachel Sheridan, a young woman living in Africa. After her missionary parents get sick, she has to find a way to use her strength and patience to overcome greedy neighbors and get out of a criminal scheme that takes her away from her home.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (5.8) follows the developing friendship of two young boys on opposite sides of a fence during the Holocaust.

Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry (5.8) tells the story of a little colt with a lot of potential, the man who is asked to break him in, and the legendary horse who fathered a world-famous breed.

Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath (5.8) is a story about a young orphan girl who is taken in by her Uncle Jack, and finds peace at a local restaurant where everything is served on a waffle.

The Door in the Dragon’s Throat (Volume 1) by Frank E. Peretti (5.9) joins two teenage siblings and their father as they travel to Nepur to try to discover the truth behind an ancient legend about a forbidden door that causes certain death.

5th grade recommended reading list

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes (6.0) introduces readers to the Pye family and their brilliant dog Ginger, the incredibly smart and lovable pet that everyone adores.

5th grade recommended reading list

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (6.0) shares the story of the brave and adventurous little girl named Caddie Woodlawn, inspired by the life and stories of the author’s grandmother.

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley (6.1) follows the friendship and adventures of a boy and a wild horse, who survive a shipwreck and life on a desert island together.

Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce (6.1) tells the adventurous story of Tom, and his magical trips in the middle of the night to a mysterious garden to spend time with a new friend.

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald (6.1) follows Princess Irene as she explores mysterious stairways and passages in her castle and tries to avoid the goblins from the mountains.

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift explores the world with Gulliver, discovering strange and mystical lands and creatures along the way.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit from Middle Earth who brings the One Ring of Power to the Shire.

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron (6.3) follows two boys named Chuck and David as they travel to an alien planet in a spaceship they made on their own.

Blue Willow by Doris Gates (6.5) introduces kids to life in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression through the eyes of an itinerant worker’s daughter named Janey, and her desire to set down roots again someday.

The White Stag by Kate Seredy (6.6) tells the story of Attila, the tribes of Huns and Magyars, and their migration across Europe following a white stag to their homeland.

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois (6.8) is a fantasy story that follows Professor William Waterman Sherman as he lands on Krakatoa and makes some incredible discoveries.

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson (6.9) explores the life and inventions of Benjamin Franklin through the eyes of a little mouse who may have inspired him.

Rascal by Sterling North tells the story of a young boy named Sterling, his pet raccoon named Rascal, and their close friendship.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (7.3) introduces readers to Anne Shirley, a curious young girl who is mistakenly sent to live with a couple who are expecting a boy. She soon uses her imagination and creative spirit to make them realize life without her would be boring.

Teresa of Calcutta: Serving the Poorest of the Poor by D. Jeanene Watson is a biography exploring the life and charity work of Mother Teresa, the founder of the Missionary Sisters and Brothers of Charity.

  

5th grade worksheets

• 4th Grade Math Worksheets
• Free Bookshelf Reading Log Printable
• Sandwich Book Report Template, Simple Book Report Template, or Reading Comprehension Printable
• EPIC (and easy) Rocket Science Experiments or try one of our other science experiments for kids
• Animal Report
• Read, Color, and Learn about the 1940s for Kids or see american history &  usa facts for kids or all our history lessons for kids
• Greece for Kids Printable to read, color and learn. Or learn about
• Zoo Animals Worksheet
• Free President Coloring Pages or US Presidents Printable Book

 

• Famous Artists for Kids Report Form
• Learn to use Dictionary with Dictionary Detectives!
• Pirate Parts of Speech Worksheets
• Solve it Parts of Speech Game
• Parts of Speech BINGO
• Fractions Game
• Printable Maps – free printable maps to label as you like
• 50 States Coloring Book
• Ocean Animals for Kids Lesson Plan
• Plus don’t miss all 200,000 pages of FREE 4th grade worksheets