Top Award-Winning Books for 3rd & 4th Graders (Ages 7-9)

Welcome, parents, to the wonderful world of literature for your 3rd and 4th graders! As children transition from early readers to more complex chapter books, finding stories that challenge and engage them becomes paramount. Award-winning books are a fantastic resource, having been recognized for their exceptional storytelling, profound themes, and literary merit. These acclaimed titles do more than just entertain; they foster imagination, develop critical thinking skills, build vocabulary, and cultivate empathy by introducing children to diverse characters and experiences. For children aged 7-9, these carefully selected books can ignite a lifelong passion for reading, offering rich narratives that resonate deeply and expand their understanding of the world around them.

20 Recommended Award-Winning Books for Ages 7-9

1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

This timeless classic tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur faces an uncertain future, Charlotte devises a plan to save him, using her literary talents to weave messages of his “terrific” qualities into her web. The book explores themes of friendship, life, loss, and the beauty of the natural world with grace and humor, captivating readers with its heartfelt narrative and memorable characters. Children ages 7-9 will be moved by the tender relationship between Wilbur and Charlotte and the profound lessons embedded within the story. It is a gentle yet powerful introduction to the circle of life and the enduring power of connection.

• Newbery Honor Book
• A beloved, timeless classic of children’s literature
• Explores themes of friendship, life, and loss with sensitivity
• Excellent for developing emotional intelligence and empathy

2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Inspired by a true story, this poignant novel is narrated by Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a shopping mall circus exhibit. Ivan has grown accustomed to his life, drawing pictures and watching TV, until a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, prompting him to recall his past in the wild and question his confined existence. He makes a promise to Ruby to get her to a better place, sparking a powerful journey of self-discovery and the fight for freedom. The book is a compelling exploration of compassion, memory, and the importance of home, told from a unique and unforgettable perspective that deeply resonates with young readers.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• Inspired by a true story, offering a powerful message about animal welfare
• Narrated from a unique animal perspective
• Promotes empathy and understanding of different living conditions

3. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni, lonely after moving to a new town in Florida with her preacher father, finds an unlikely friend in a scruffy, large dog she names Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie has a knack for making friends, and through his charming antics, Opal meets a cast of eccentric but kind-hearted people, helping her to connect with her new community and come to terms with her mother’s absence. This heartwarming story beautifully captures the challenges of moving, the power of friendship, and the joy of finding belonging in unexpected places. DiCamillo’s masterful storytelling creates a world filled with warmth, humor, and gentle wisdom.

• Newbery Honor Book
• A heartwarming story about friendship, community, and finding your place
• Features a memorable, lovable dog character
• Excellent for discussing themes of loneliness, acceptance, and family

4. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August Pullman is a 10-year-old boy with a severe facial difference who has been homeschooled his entire life. Now, he’s about to start 5th grade at a mainstream middle school, an experience he faces with both trepidation and courage. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including Auggie’s, his sister’s, and his new friends’, offering a powerful look at kindness, acceptance, and the challenges of being different. This moving novel encourages readers to “choose kind” and fosters deep discussions about empathy, resilience, and the true meaning of beauty. It’s an essential read for teaching children compassion.

• Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction (often read younger)
• Explores themes of kindness, acceptance, and bullying
• Told from multiple perspectives, enriching understanding
• Highly recommended for promoting empathy and social awareness

5. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jess Aarons, a lonely fifth-grader, finds his life transformed when the spirited and imaginative Leslie Burke moves in next door. Together, they create a magical secret kingdom called Terabithia in the woods, where they are king and queen, ruling over fantastical creatures and escaping the mundane realities of school and family life. Their deep friendship and shared adventures provide Jess with the courage and joy he desperately needs. However, a sudden tragedy forces Jess to confront grief and find the strength to carry on. This profoundly moving story deals with themes of friendship, imagination, and loss with honesty and sensitivity.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A classic story exploring deep themes of friendship, imagination, and coping with loss
• Thought-provoking and emotionally resonant
• Sparks discussions about courage and resilience

6. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Welcome to Wayside School, a quirky, thirty-story building built sideways, with one classroom per floor instead of thirty classrooms on one floor. This hilarious collection of interconnected short stories introduces readers to the zany students and teachers on the thirtieth floor, including a teacher who turns students into apples, a girl with three ears, and a boy who can only count to one. Sachar’s unique humor and imaginative scenarios make this book a favorite for young readers. Each chapter offers a standalone story that collectively builds the wonderfully strange world of Wayside, making it perfect for reluctant readers or as a read-aloud.

• Children’s Choice Award winner
• A collection of humorous and imaginative short stories
• Perfect for reluctant readers due to its episodic nature
• Encourages creativity and a love for the absurd

7. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinarily intelligent and sensitive girl, but her parents and her tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, are far too cruel and obtuse to notice her genius. Neglected and misunderstood, Matilda finds solace in books and develops telekinetic powers. With the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda uses her remarkable abilities to stand up against the injustices she faces, proving that even the smallest person can make a big difference. Dahl’s darkly humorous and empowering tale celebrates the power of reading, courage, and standing up for what is right. It’s a truly inspiring story for young minds.

• Winner of the Whitbread Children’s Book Award
• A empowering story about a brilliant young girl overcoming adversity
• Celebrates reading, intelligence, and standing up to bullies
• Roald Dahl’s signature humor and imaginative storytelling

8. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

This graphic novel-infused chapter book introduces Flora Belle Buckman, a self-proclaimed cynic and comic book fan, whose life changes dramatically after a squirrel named Ulysses is sucked into a Ulysses Super-Suction Multi-Vacuum. After being resuscitated, Ulysses emerges with poetic powers and super strength. Flora and Ulysses embark on a series of hilarious and heartwarming adventures, learning about hope, love, and the power of unlikely friendships. DiCamillo masterfully blends prose with comic book illustrations to create a unique and engaging reading experience that champions the power of belief and the extraordinary in the everyday.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• Unique blend of prose and graphic novel illustrations
• A whimsical and heartwarming story about a cynical girl and a poetic squirrel
• Encourages imagination and believing in the impossible

9. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Set in the late 19th century American prairie, this tender story follows the Witting children, Anna and Caleb, whose mother died when Caleb was born. Their father, Jacob, places an advertisement for a new wife, and Sarah Wheaton from Maine answers, promising to be “plain and tall.” Sarah’s arrival brings both hope and uncertainty to the family, as they wonder if she will stay or if the loneliness of the prairie will send her back to her beloved sea. The book beautifully explores themes of family, adaptation, love, and the search for belonging, offering a gentle yet profound narrative that resonates with readers of all ages.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A gentle and moving historical fiction story
• Explores themes of family, loss, and new beginnings
• Excellent for discussions about adaptation and emotional resilience

10. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane is a vain, self-centered china rabbit who belongs to a young girl named Abilene. He cares for no one but himself, until he is accidentally lost overboard from a ship. What follows is a remarkable journey through various owners and experiences, from a fisherman and his wife, to a hobo, a scarecrow, and a sick child. Each new encounter teaches Edward about love, loss, and the importance of opening one’s heart. This beautifully written modern fable explores the profound power of love and the transformation that can occur when one truly connects with others. It’s a deeply emotional and thought-provoking tale.

• Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
• A poignant modern fable about love, loss, and transformation
• Beautifully written with rich, evocative language
• Spark conversations about empathy and the meaning of connection

11. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien

Mrs. Frisby, a timid field mouse and widow, faces a desperate situation when her youngest son, Timothy, falls ill and cannot be moved from their winter home, which is about to be plowed. Seeking help, she discovers a secret society of highly intelligent rats who escaped from a laboratory called NIMH. These rats possess extraordinary knowledge and technology, and Mrs. Frisby learns of their past and their plans for an independent, self-sufficient community. This thrilling adventure combines science fiction with animal fantasy, exploring themes of courage, intelligence, and the ethical implications of scientific experimentation.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A thrilling blend of science fiction and animal fantasy
• Explores themes of intelligence, community, and survival
• Features strong female protagonist and encourages critical thinking

12. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Meg Murry, an insecure and socially awkward middle school student, embarks on an extraordinary adventure through space and time to rescue her scientist father, who disappeared while working on a mysterious project. Accompanied by her brilliant younger brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe, Meg is guided by three celestial beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which—who introduce them to the concept of a tesseract, a “wrinkle” in time and space. This classic science fiction fantasy explores themes of good versus evil, individuality, and the power of love to conquer darkness. It is an inspiring tale of bravery and self-discovery.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy classic
• Explores complex themes of good vs. evil, individuality, and the power of love
• Challenges young readers with philosophical concepts and imaginative worlds

13. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Minli lives in a poor village, and inspired by her father’s folktales, she embarks on a fantastical journey to find the Old Man of the Moon, who supposedly holds the answers to changing one’s fortune. Along her quest, she encounters magical creatures, speaks with dragons, and helps various characters, all while learning valuable lessons about gratitude, kindness, and the true meaning of happiness. Lin weaves together traditional Chinese folklore with a compelling original narrative, creating a visually stunning and deeply moving story about destiny, courage, and the importance of storytelling. It’s a beautiful book that will enchant young readers.

• Newbery Honor Book
• Based on Chinese folklore, enriching cultural understanding
• A beautiful story about courage, kindness, and finding your fortune
• Features stunning illustrations and a rich narrative tapestry

14. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby in the forest as a sacrifice to a powerful witch. Unbeknownst to them, the “witch,” Xan, is a kind-hearted elderly woman who rescues these abandoned babies, feeding them starlight until they can be placed with loving families in the Free Cities. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight, imbuing her with extraordinary magic. Naming her Luna, Xan raises her, but as Luna’s powers grow, so does a dangerous magic within the forest. This enchanting fantasy novel explores themes of sacrifice, love, destiny, and the true nature of monsters and heroes, offering a rich and complex world.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A captivating fantasy novel with rich world-building
• Explores complex themes of good, evil, sacrifice, and destiny
• Offers a unique and powerful narrative about magic and compassion

15. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Claudia Kincaid, feeling misunderstood and unappreciated, decides to run away from home. She chooses to hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, taking her younger brother Jamie with her because he is rich and therefore useful. Their adventure involves meticulous planning, living secretly within the museum, and eventually becoming entangled in the mystery of a newly acquired statue possibly carved by Michelangelo. This delightful and intelligent story celebrates independence, intellectual curiosity, and the joy of solving a good mystery. It’s a perfect read for children who dream of adventure and secret lives.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A clever mystery adventure set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Celebrates independence, intellectual curiosity, and sibling relationships
• Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving

16. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Esperanza Ortega lives a privileged life on her family’s ranch in Mexico until tragedy strikes, and she and her mother are forced to flee to California during the Great Depression. There, they face the harsh realities of migrant farmworker life, a stark contrast to their former comfort. Esperanza must learn to adapt to poverty, hard labor, and discrimination, all while holding onto hope and learning to find joy and strength in her new circumstances. This powerful historical novel addresses themes of resilience, social justice, and the immigrant experience, offering a moving portrayal of one girl’s journey to find her inner strength.

• Winner of the Pura Belpré Award and other numerous accolades
• A powerful historical novel exploring themes of resilience and social justice
• Offers insight into the migrant farmworker experience during the Great Depression
• Inspires empathy and understanding of cultural diversity

17. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Despereaux Tilling is a small mouse with unusually large ears and an even larger spirit. Unlike other mice, he is not afraid of humans, and he falls in love with a human princess, Pea. His defiance of mouse rules leads to his banishment to the dungeon, where he encounters a rat named Roscuro, who lives in darkness and holds a grudge against the princess. This intricately woven fairytale explores themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the power of light over darkness. DiCamillo’s enchanting prose and deep philosophical undertones make this a story that lingers long after the final page, perfect for thoughtful young readers.

• Winner of the Newbery Medal
• A sophisticated fairytale exploring themes of love, forgiveness, and courage
• Beautifully written with rich vocabulary and narrative depth
• Encourages reflection on good vs. evil and the nature of hope

18. Honest June by Tina Wells

June is a natural-born rule follower. She loves doing things “the right way” and believes in telling the truth, always. But when a mysterious magical bracelet appears on her wrist, it forces her to be brutally honest at all times, leading to hilarious and sometimes awkward situations with her friends, family, and even her crush. June quickly learns that there’s a difference between being truthful and being kind, and navigates the complexities of honesty and social etiquette. This contemporary story is relatable, funny, and offers valuable lessons about integrity, friendship, and learning to speak your mind respectfully.

• Winner of a Washington State Book Award (Children’s Category)
• A relatable contemporary story about honesty and friendship
• Explores the nuances of truth-telling and social dynamics
• Offers humor and valuable lessons for navigating social situations

19. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

ROZZUM unit 7134, or Roz, is a robot who washes ashore on a wild, uninhabited island. Initially programmed for something entirely different, Roz must learn to survive in the wilderness, interacting with the island’s animal inhabitants and adapting to her new environment. Through observation and necessity, she gradually learns to communicate, build relationships, and even adopt an orphaned gosling. This unique and moving story explores themes of nature versus technology, adaptation, artificial intelligence, and what it truly means to be alive and to belong. It’s a thought-provoking adventure that captivates with its blend of science fiction and nature.

• New York Times Bestseller and numerous state awards
• A unique blend of science fiction and nature survival
• Explores themes of adaptation, artificial intelligence, and belonging
• Promotes empathy for nature and understanding of different forms of life

20. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole. But when Astrid decides to try roller derby camp for the summer, Nicole opts for ballet, leaving Astrid to face a new challenge alone. Struggling with derby skills and the complexities of new friendships, Astrid feels lost and frustrated, but slowly discovers her own strength, confidence, and passion for the sport. This graphic novel is a vibrant and honest portrayal of navigating changing friendships, finding your own identity, and the thrill of a challenging new hobby. It’s an empowering and engaging read for any child grappling with self-discovery.

• Newbery Honor Book and Eisner Award Winner
• Engaging graphic novel format, highly accessible for young readers
• Explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and trying new things
• Inspires confidence and determination in sports and life

Why Award-Winning Books Matter for 3rd and 4th Graders

For children aged 7-9, the literary landscape is rapidly expanding from simple picture books to complex chapter novels. This transition period is crucial, and choosing the right books can significantly impact their reading development and enjoyment. Award-winning books stand out as exceptional choices for several compelling reasons, offering benefits that extend far beyond mere entertainment. For example, while younger children enjoy classics like those in award-winning 1st and 2nd grade books (ages 5-7), 3rd and 4th graders are ready for deeper narratives.

Firstly, these books are curated for quality. Literary awards, such as the Newbery Medal or Honor, Caldecott Medal (though often for picture books, some chapter books receive honors for internal illustrations or are part of broader lists like fantastic books with Caldecott Award honors), and various state and international prizes, are bestowed by experts who evaluate titles on criteria like literary merit, originality, character development, and theme. This means parents can trust that these selections represent some of the finest literature available for this age group, ensuring high-quality content for their children.

Secondly, award winners often present complex themes and diverse perspectives in an age-appropriate manner. They tackle significant topics—friendship, loss, courage, social justice, identity, and empathy—encouraging young readers to think critically about the world and their place in it. By engaging with these narratives, children develop stronger emotional intelligence and a more nuanced understanding of human experiences, preparing them for more challenging material and real-world situations. Finding the best books for 8-year-olds (ages 7-9) specifically often leads to award-winning titles due to their proven impact.

Furthermore, these books play a vital role in vocabulary expansion and language development. Authors recognized with awards are often masters of prose, using rich language, vivid imagery, and sophisticated sentence structures that subtly challenge and expand a child’s linguistic abilities. This exposure to exemplary writing strengthens comprehension, improves writing skills, and cultivates an appreciation for the art of storytelling. This is a natural progression from best chapter books for 2nd grade, where the complexity starts to ramp up.

Lastly, reading award-winning books can be incredibly inspiring. They introduce children to characters who overcome challenges, solve mysteries, and embark on thrilling adventures, fostering a sense of imagination and encouraging them to explore their own potential. These stories become touchstones, remembered fondly and influencing future reading choices. For a wider selection, parents can also consult lists like 50 Must-Read Books for Elementary School, which often feature many award winners.

Encouraging a Lifelong Love for Reading

Introducing children to the rich and diverse world of award-winning literature is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give. The books highlighted here for 3rd and 4th graders (ages 7-9) are more than just stories; they are gateways to new worlds, profound ideas, and lasting lessons that will shape their understanding and empathy. By choosing titles that have been recognized for their excellence, you are providing your child with opportunities to engage with compelling narratives that enhance their vocabulary, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

To foster a lifelong love for reading, make reading a regular, enjoyable part of your family’s routine. Whether it’s reading aloud together, discussing characters and plots, or simply providing quiet time for independent reading, every moment spent with a book is an investment in their future. Encourage your child to explore different genres, authors, and themes, allowing their own interests to guide their literary journey. The joy of discovery in a good book is a treasure that lasts a lifetime.