Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
4th Grade (Age 9)

All books suitable for children in 4th grade.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days (Book #4)

It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer…one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?


Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Last Straw (Book #3)

The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level. Let’s face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg’s father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other “manly” endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his father’s efforts to change him. But when Greg’s dad threatens to send him …


Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Rodrick Rules (Book #2)

The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book! Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved. Whatever you do, don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it. As Greg enters the new school year, he’s eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular. Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. …


Dinosaur Habitat

In this novel, the noted animal author transports two brothers named Ryan and Nathan to a Jurassic world in which giant insects swoop and dive and a volcano simmers. Their adventures–including an encounter with a doting dinosaur who mistakes Nathan for her newly hatched baby–will captivate any reader who has ever wished to meet a dinosaur face to face.


DK Readers (series)

This series covers a range of nonfiction topics that interest younger and older students — from cats to comic book characters. Each book includes full-color photographs and illustrations, and appropriate text for one of four graduated reading levels. There are over 20 books in each level. Titles include:

Level 1 (Beginning to read) Rockets and Spaceships, A Day in the Life of a Dancer, Whatever the Weather

Level 2 (Beginning to read alone) Firefighter!, Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!, The Story of Pocahontas

Level 3 (Reading alone) Anne Frank, Extreme Sports, Shark Attack! …


Dog Who Thought He Was Santa

Don Franklin’s dog, Frank, is a bloodhound, so he can smell when something’s wrong. And a lot seems to be wrong in Don’s family. Mom and Dad are worried about money, especially with Christmas right around the corner and the threat of the mine closing. Don’s worried because he’s just discovered how dangerous Dad’s job in the mine is. And they’re all worried about getting Don’s little sister, Susan, what she wants for Christmas, when she won’t tell anyone but Santa Claus what it is. It looks as if Christmas …


Don’t Bump the Glump!: And Other Fantasies

It’s a zoo in here! Have you ever . . . Seen a Gritchen in your kitchen? Dared to dance with the One-Legged Zantz? Declined to dine with the Glub-Toothed Sline? You haven’t? Well then, step inside—but only if you are ready to be amazed, tickled, astonished and entertained by this most unusual bestiary of silly and scary creatures.


Double Fudge

Fudge is back and he’s discovered money in a big way. He’s making his own “Fudge Bucks,” dressing as a miser for Halloween and thumbing through catalogs before bed, choosing birthday and Christmas presents years in advance – much to the embarrassment of his family, especially older brother Peter, who’s just starting 7th grade. But things begin to change when the Hatchers discover their long-lost relatives, The Howie Hatchers of Honolulu, Hawaii – not exactly your everyday family. With new cousins, Flora and Fauna, and 4 year old Farley Drexel …


Dump Trucks and Dogsleds (Hank Zipzer Series #16)

When Hank first heard that his mom was having a baby boy, he wasn’t so thrilled. And when he finds out that the baby will be sharing his room, Hank is positively outraged! To make things easier, Dad suggests he take Hank and Emily away for some bonding. But on the first day of their trip, a freak snowstorm arrives. And then they get a call that the baby is coming early! Hank, Dad, and Emily know they have to get home—and fast! They hop on a train, hitch a …


Elf on the Shelf

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition™ is an activity the entire family will enjoy. Based on the tradition Carol Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s, this cleverly rhymed children’s book explains that Santa knows who is naughty and/or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. During the holiday season, the elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. This activity …