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You are here: Home / Building Family Culture / 30 Chapter Books for 2nd-4th Grade Boys

30 Chapter Books for 2nd-4th Grade Boys

January 11, 2017 by Courtney 3 Comments

During my time as an elementary school teacher, I taught both 2nd and 4th Grade.  I absolutely love children’s books at any age, but this age is a rare window when children fall in love with independently reading longer books.  It thrills my soul, I tell you!

One of my own children is currently in this stage and is such an avid reader!  He is the type to fall asleep with a chapter book and a flashlight.  This makes my teacher-mom heart so very happy.

Earlier this week, I published two book lists on my blog: one of books I recommend from last year, and the other list of books I plan to read this year.  

Keeping with the spirit of book-list making (because boy, do I know how to party), I’m sharing a list of books for your own early-independent, chapter-book-reading, flashlight and a book, little guys!  

I’ve put this list together as both a former teacher (hello, potential for educational mini-lessons and deep character trait conversations) and as a mom (hello, wholesome values and well-mannered role models.)  I’m only recommending the best here, friends. These books include both boys and girls as main characters.  They are a mix of  realistic fiction, historical fiction, classics, and adventures.  


Several of these books are best when read alongside parents who can guide meaningful and thoughtful discussions.  While all of these books could be read as a family and have thought-provoking and wholesome content, some simply need a bit more guidance from parents.  I’ve marked the books with necessary parental-conversation topics with an *asterisk.  

1) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (and all Narnia books)

2) Frindle by Andrew Clements

3) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

4) Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder  (This is book #3 in the series.  While I think it’s a great read for boys, the boys in my classroom always loved the first two books just as much: Little House in the Big Woods and The Little House on the Prairie.  This entire series is a must-read for all children.)

5) The Tale of Desperauex by Kate DiCamillo

6) Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

*7) Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

8) The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

9) The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

10) The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

11) Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo This book is the most wholesome of stories. However, in one scene, Miss Franny tells Opal that “War is hell.” When reading this to children as a real aloud, I had the advantage of holding the book and changing the language to “War is bad.”  If your child reads this book independently, you can have a conversation to explain Miss Franny’s use of strong language or perhaps (even better) you might each take turns reading a chapter aloud, in which case you can choose your chapters wisely in advance.  The rest of this book is completely appropriate and good for elementary eyes and ears.

*12) The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1964 by Christopher Paul Curtis This book is best read with an adult when children are ready for deeper conversations and topics.  It was a favorite read aloud in the Fourth Grade, so it’s a stretch for this particular list.

13) Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White 

14) Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

15) Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

16) The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osbourne The fantasy genre is not typically my favorite, but this series leans mostly in the direction of exciting, historical fiction, adventures.  It is much more educational than mystical.

17) Stuart Little by E. B. White

In addition to this list, I am looking forward to several books that have been highly recommended.  I haven’t read the following titles yet, but I plan to read them with my boys soon!

18) Billy and Blaze by C. W. Anderson

19) The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer

20) Trail Blazers: A Christian History Series

21)  John Henry by Julias Lester

22) Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss

23) Doomsday in Pompeii and other Imagination Station books

24) James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

25) Treasure Island by Robert Lewis Stevenson

26) Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

27) My America: Freedom’s Wings: Corey’s Underground Railroad Diary, Book One by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

28) Shoeless Joe and Me by Dan Gutman

29) A to Z Mysteries Series by Ron Roy

30) Hank the Cowdog Series by John R. Erickson

Fellow mom, I hope this list will be a resource for us both for years to come as we nurture a love for reading in the hearts of boys.

Here’s a hug.  We’re raising the men of the future.

From my teacher-mom heart to yours,

~Courtney

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Filed Under: Building Family Culture, Motherhood, My Heart, Raising Boys, Spiritual Growth, The Heart of a Teacher Tagged With: book recommendations for boys, book recommendations for elementary school boys, books for 2nd grade boys, books for 3rd grade boys, books for 4th grade boys, boy mom, chapter books for boys, Raising Boys, raising Godly men, wholesome chapter books for boys

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Comments

  1. Bekah D. says

    January 12, 2017 at 9:39 am

    It’s like you made a list of my favorite childhood books! When I was teaching Gifted, we use “Farmer Boy” and “The Indian in the Cupboard” as read-alouds and all the kiddos loved it! We also read “Pippi Longstocking” (which I distinctly remember watching the movie in your van with your boys!).

    Reply
    • Courtney says

      January 12, 2017 at 9:24 pm

      Haha! That’s so funny that you remember watching Pippi Longstocking with my boys! I’m all about introducing classic stories with good storylines and characters! I’m glad you love these books, as well. They are such great stories!

      Reply
  2. Samantha says

    February 20, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    I love this!

    Reply

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