50 Best 5th Grade Books for Summer Reading

Need the best 5th grade books for summer reading? This list of books for your kids, ages 10 or 11, are organized by genres to help you find a good middle grade book for every interest and reader.

If you’re new to Imagination Soup, welcome! I’m a former teacher, a mother, a writer, and an avid children’s literature reader. I read over 1000 books a year and pick the best books to share with you!

Download the free printable of this summer reading list. NOTE: If you don’t see the printable sign-up below, please clear your cache and try again.

Speaking of picking books, let your readers choose the books they want to read from this list! Why? Because book choice is crucial to ownership and motivation.

I’ve purposely selected books that are new and backlisted so you can always find options for your budget or your library.

SHOP this list on Amazon.

I’m not including reviews on this book list for 5th graders, but you can read all my book reviews and recommendations for 5th graders here.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that these books are good choices for other grade levels, too.

However, if you want other book lists of easier or harder book lists, check these summer reading lists:

Summer Reading List for 4th Grade

Summer Reading List for 6th Grade.

See ALL summer reading lists here.

Remember, summer reading programs can be a great motivation for your fifth graders. I especially love programs that give free books as a reward. Even better, when they give readers the book first!!

Don’t miss this free reading printable for summer as well as a different free summer “Brain Camp” learning printable.

Best 5th Grade Books to Read for Summer Reading (Ages 10 – 11)

Fantasy Summer Reading Book Ideas for 5th Grade

If you like paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi, you’ll love:

• Amari and the Night Brothers (series) by B.B. Alston
• The Endling: The Last (series) by Katherine Applegate
• Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! by Wes Molebash
• Area 51 Interns: Alien Summer by James S. Murray and Carsen Smith
• Escape from Atlantis by Kate O’Hearn
• Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori Lee
• Dungeoneer Adventures by Ben Costa and James Parks
• Medusa (The Myth of Monsters, 1) written by Katherine Marsh
• Zombie Season by Justin Weinberger

Adventure Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If you like adventures, you’ll love

• Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Le (graphic novel)
• Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (series) by Stuart Gibb
• Explorer Academy Vela: The Sailor Cipher (series) by Trudi Trueit
• Alone by Megan E Freeman
• Masterminds (series) by Gordon Korman
• The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters
• The Wildes: The Amazon by Roland Smith

Mystery Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If you like mysteries, you’ll love:

• Minerva Keen’s Detective Club by James Patterson and Keir Graff
• Framed! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery (series) by James Ponti
• The Deadly Daylight written by Ash Harrier
• The Screaming Staircase (series) by Jonathan Stroud
• Nooks and Crannies by Jessica Lawson
• The Frame-Up by Wendy McLeod MacKnight
• The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery (series) by Nancy Springer
• Night Raven: The Moonwind Mysteries (series) by Johan Rundberg

Historical Fiction Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If your 5th grader likes historical fiction, they’ll love one of these middle grade choices:

• Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
• Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
• Loyalty by Avi
• The War That Saved My Life (series) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II (series) by Adam Gitwitz
• Sky Full of Song by Susan Lynn Meyer

5th Grade Books to Read: REALISTIC

If you like realistic fiction, try reading one of these excellent 5th grade books:

• Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte (graphic novel)
• Roll with It (series) by Jamie Sumner
• And Then Boom by Lisa Fipps
• Unteachables by Gordon Korman
• Isaiah Dunn is My Hero (series) by Kelly J. Baptist
• Not an Easy Win by Chrystal B. Giles
• New Kid (series) by Jerry Craft (graphic novel)
• From the Desk of Zoe Washington (series) by Janae Marks
• Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega (graphic novel)
• Finally Seen (series) by Kelly Yang
• Farther Than the Moon by Lindsay Lackey
• Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz (graphic novel)

5th Grade Books for Summer Reading: FUNNY

If you like funny books, you’ll laugh your way through these choices:

• Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle (series) by Dana Simpson (graphic novel)
• The Worst Class Trip Ever (series) by Dave Barry
• The Last Kids on Earth (series) by Max Brallier
• Anyone But Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp
• The Last Last Day of Summer (series) by Lamar Giles
• Once Upon a Tim (series) by Stuart Gibbs
• Crabgrass Comic Adventures by Tauhid Bondia (graphic novel)

5th Grade Books to Read: ANIMALS

If you like animal stories, you’ll love:

• Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable (graphic novel)
• Always Clementine by Carlie Sorosiak
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
• Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks (graphic novel)
• A Whale in the Wild by Rosanne Parry
• Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire
• The Aquanaut by Dan Santat (graphic novel)
• Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson
• Scurry (series) by Mac Smith (graphic novel)

5th Grade Books to Read: NONFICTION

What about NONFICTION & Informational Fiction? Here are some great choices:

• Accidental Archeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee
• Two Truths and a Lie by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
• So You Want to Be a Ninja? (series) by Bruno Vincent
• A Brief History of Underpants by Christine Van Zandt
• The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome (series) by Jonathan Stokes
• Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith (graphic novel)
• Almanac 2025 National Geographic Kids
• The Biggest Stuff in the Universe (series) by Mr. DeMaio
• Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path by Amy Seto Forrester
• Survival Scout Tsunami (series) by Maxwell Eaton III
• Plague Busters! Medicine’s Battles with History’s Deadliest Diseases by Lindsey Fitzharris

Don’t forget to find ways to make reading FUN!

Participate in a summer reading program.

Read with a headlamp in bed.

Read on an electronic device. (Free eBooks?)

Start a book club.

Reward reading with . . . more BOOKS! (Kids choose, of course.)

Read nonfiction books and graphic novels, too.

Even More Book Suggestions for Your 5th Graders:

–> More Book Recommendations Plus REVIEWS for 5th Graders

Summer Reading List for 6th Grade

Brain Camp Summer Learning Printable

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KEEP READING:

Best Book Series for 5th Grade

Read Aloud Book List for 5th Grade

Good Books for 10 Year Olds

Summer Reading Lists for Kids