biography books for 4th grade

20 Biography Books For Kids To Help Them Dream Big

Brandie DeRusha

With her MA in English from Rutgers University-Camden, Brandie spends her days chasing around her toddlers and writing. She loves to pair wine with her reading; preferably a Brontë, or an Elliot, or a Woolf novel. Depending on the mood. She currently lives in Florida with her husband, two kids and furry beast.

View All posts by Brandie DeRusha

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, I forgot how to dream for my life. It was in between those “you can do anything you put your mind to” platitudes from my mother, to “you’ll never make any money if you get a degree in art” realities — also from my mother. As a good child, I believed everything people would say about my potential. If I expressed interest in writing or journalism, they would scoff at me that it was “too hard” for me; if it was acting or dancing, it was “too competitive.” Clearly it was confusing and sent me into an adolescent identity crisis. Who could I be if I couldn’t be who I was?

Now, as a grown up and a mother, I realize that in order to live our truth…we must follow our curiosity. We must embrace our curiosity. We must be allowed to explore. To get things wrong. To find out how we individually interpret the world around us. That will help us make the world a better place.

Thankfully, the way has been paved before us by millions of amazing people who refused to internalize the negative messages about their dreams. People who were so into what they were doing that nothing else mattered except that one thing. Who knew that what their heart was saying was the way without someone’s expectations of them.

Here are stories of 20 people who made their own way and changed not only their lives but ours. 20 stories of people who followed their curiously, followed their love, and led the way for us to be a better society. These 20 biography books for kids can help your kids dream big.

20 of the Best Biography Books for Kids

The Story of Harriet Tubman by Christine Platt

Before she became known for her fight to free people from enslavement, she was a little girl who was sad to see her family be separated. Tubman is going to be a key person in most kids’ history classes — so this book also gives a timeline of her life, with age appropriate discussion questions. And if you love this, the series also has Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Benjamin Franklin biographies, and more.

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Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant and Boris Kulikov

This picture book biography tells the story of how Louis Braille lost his sight and invented an alphabet. Young Braille wanted nothing more than to be able to read after an accident causes him to lose his eyesight. His invention gave blind kids all over the world a new way to navigate a world that wasn’t made for them. This book is not only inspiring, it shows children that everyone is capable of doing good things.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and Éric Puybaret

Once there was a boy named Jacques. He loved to explore the oceans. This whimsical and poetic biography of Jacques Cousteau will inspire kids to follow their explorer natures, as well as help them realize that every person who has made history started as a kid with curiosity.

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone and Rebecca Gibbon

From a young age, Elizabeth understood that things weren’t equal in her life. How could only a few people have the right to vote? Voting is the foundation of our democracy. So she went to college, gathered like-minded friends, and made their statements, not stopping until women in the United States won the Right to Vote. She was a girl who saw a problem, and grew up to find the solution.

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonya Sotomayor and Lulu Delacre

The first Latina on the Supreme Court, Sonya Sotomayor recollects her life and the steps that brought her there. For her, it was books. Books helped her cope with difficulties in her life, connect with her roots, and helped her see that her future was full of possibilities. In her autobiography, Sotomayor encourages kids everywhere to read, dream, and puzzle for themselves.

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kera Ascoet

As a girl, Malala wished for a magic pencil. A tool she could use to make everyone happy. To make the world around her a little brighter. As she got older she realized that even if she didn’t have a magic pencil, she could still work hard to make the world a better place. Told in a way that’s appropriate to children, we learn about the struggles that Malala faced to follow her dreams and how even then she held onto a hope for a better future for herself and her friends.

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown and Julie Paschkis

Sometimes people create with paint, but for a little boy in a city in Chile, words were better. Pablo wrote poems about all the things he loved. Things he found in nature, things his friends made, and the things he found at the marketplace. He wrote about the people of Chile, their struggles and passions. It all started with a little boy who loved to paint with words.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael López

Millo Castro Zaldarriaga dreamed of drumming. However, girls weren’t allowed to drum on her little island. She dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. One day, she decided to follow her dream — what happened next when her bright music was heard was magic: people dancing and singing and deciding that boys and girls can make music. Showing that both boys and girls can be free to drum and dream, Millo’s story is an inspiration for children everywhere.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and George Ford

Ruby was just a normal 6-year-old until she was chosen to be the first Black person to be enrolled in an all white elementary school. A lot of people didn’t like that idea and said some mean and threatening things. Ruby did what she was told to do, and went to school anyway. How does a little girl change the world? By being brave in the face of racism and injustice.

A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russel-Brown and Laura Freeman

How did a quiet and shy girl from Detroit become the Queen of Soul and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? She stayed true to herself and her ideals by refusing to play for segregated audiences and never forgetting her roots. She stood up for what was right. Aretha Franklin proved that with passion, perseverance, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you can do anything.

Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Raúl Colón

When NASA used mathematicians called “human computers,” one woman stood out among them all. Katherine Johnson was integral in getting John Glen around the world, helping men walk on the moon, and getting Apollo 13 home safely. This book is for girls who love numbers — who don’t let problems stand in the way from the work.

Vincent Can’t Sleep by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre

Vincent Can’t Sleep is the story of how one of the most beloved and creative artists found his inspiration. When Vincent Van Gogh couldn’t sleep, he’d walk during the night, giving him the inspiration for his famous painting Starry Night . With lovely poetic writing, it tells kids to follow their passion, even if they don’t see the return in their lifetime. (Maybe wait to walk outside at night alone until after they’ve grown up, though.)

Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang and Kana Urbanowicz

“Peace follows a full stomach,” thought Momofuko Ando while working in his lab to find a quick, easy, and tasty way of making ramen soup. He wanted to help those in the long daily lines for soup after WWII. This is the story of one man, his commitment to his cause, and the world’s most popular “easy soup.”

Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renée Watson and Christian Robinson

Florence was a little girl who loved to sing. She also loved her parents, who were formerly enslaved. So when her beautiful singing and dancing inspired patrons and playwrights alike, she knew that she wouldn’t be happy without standing up to the injustice that she saw daily.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley

“Disagreeing does not make you disagreeable” was something that young Ruth Bader Ginsberg had to learn. This book is the first picture book of Ginsberg’s life. Kids get to see how one girl who stood up for what she believed and became the most beloved Supreme Court justice.

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

“The Earth and every living thing are made of star stuff.” —Carl Sagan. As a boy, Carl Sagan loved learning about the stars. His trip to the 1939 World’s Fair opened up the universe to Carl. A boy who was captured by the wonder of the cosmos became a man who would launch satellites and teach the world about the stars.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls

Sometimes being told you can’t do a thing gives you all the incentive to do it more, especially if EVERYONE thinks you can’t. Emmanuel Ofosu Yepoah only had one leg — and this is the true story of how he biked across the entire country of Ghana (almost 400 miles!) and went on change the way many people in his country thought about people with disabilities.

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Vernick and Don Tate

Effa Manley loved baseball. She loved to go Yankee Stadium and see Babe Ruth swing for the fences. Soon she became her own hero by becoming the manager and owner of the Newark Eagles. Effa was the first (and only) woman inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame, because of her work with the Eagles. From a girl growing up in Philly to a Hall of Famer, Manley shows us how to swing for the fences.

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio and Javaka Steptoe

Can someone paint pictures with sound? Jimi was a normal kid who loved to paint and listen to music. This is the story of a kid who interpreted the world in his own unique way, and over time learned how to weave music and imagery to become one of the most influential people in the world.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora

Mary Walker was born into slavery. She had her first child at the age of 20, lived through a Civil War and two World Wars, and worked many many jobs. Finally, at the young age of 116, Mary Walker learned how to read, proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams and also recognize how incredible life can be.

Want even more after reading this list? Check out historical fiction classics for kids and these picture book biographies of Black leaders and creatives.

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Best Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs for Upper Elementary

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students don't often automatically grab biographies and autobiographies off the classroom library shelf.  But the inspiring biographies below will have your upper elementary students begging for more!

Written by guest blogger Cindy Koopmans

In my classroom I’ve often found that biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs are a bit of a hard sell.  Besides selecting only the best nonfiction books for my classroom shelves to begin with, this is how I’ve made it work...

Tips for Encouraging Students to Read Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs

When students are looking for a new book to read, I go to the shelves and hand pick a stack of books for them to peruse.  I’ll start the process by asking them what they’ve read lately and what they liked about those books.  This strategy works because it is built on choice and trust.  I’m enthusiastic about books and I never force a book on a kid.  They get to choose what to read.

And when that happens, the conversation I have with one of my lovies goes something like this: “Mrs. K.  This really happened?  This story is like, for real?” 

Me, “Yup.”   

This is the truth:  no matter who we are or how old we are, we are always looking for someone to light the way forward on this dark road called life.  

Even the most jaded of students have the propensity to be inspired by the stories of people who have survived and thrived.  

And that’s why it is so critical to give our students the gift of great nonfiction and allow them a glimpse into other people’s worlds.  When we see how other people navigate the not insubstantial bumps in their personal roads it gives us hope.  

So here you will find a nicely balanced list of great nonfiction books that are tried and true winners for upper elementary students.  There is great variety in this role call.  I’ve included books written about or by creatives, trailblazers, and a few so-called “ordinary” people, who when called upon by fate, did not back down.  They met the challenges they faced head on and triumphed.  

These people found themselves in extraordinarily difficult and, in some cases, harrowing life situations.  The stories are unique, multi-faceted and...well...true!  

As an added bonus, you can trust that these nonfiction books are incredibly well-written.  

Sometimes, just to hook some of my more reluctant student readers, I take a minute out of our precious instructional time.  I’m not doing anything too fancy, I simply introduce a new book and read the first page or two enthusiastically.

If I’m with a particularly apathetic class I’ve been known to climb up on a chair and use lots of over the top hand gestures.  Hey! Whatever it takes, right?  

Anyway, I’m never sorry about taking the time because there is absolutely nothing more exciting than hearing numerous kids blurt out an enthusiastic, “I want to read that one!” 

What just happened here? A waiting list?  Awesome.

These are good books.  Many of these books are showing the wear and tear of being well-loved in my fifth grade classroom.  Others have gotten a thorough vetting before they made this list and are now on an Amazon wish list until I get two nickels to rub together.  You and your students will find them to be deeply satisfying reads.  Get ready for a cupcake shop moment, because you are not going to know which one to pick! 

12 Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students

Anne frank: the diary of a young girl by anne frank, b.m. mooyaart (translator), eleanor roosevelt (introduction).

It is July 6, 1942, the setting is Amsterdam, and Anne Frank has just received a diary for her birthday.  The rest is history. 

Every year I have at least one student who loves Laurie Halse Anderson's historical fiction books.  If you have students like that in your class, then Anne Frank will absolutely blow their minds.  Introduce them to this classic read, then share the link to the full length movie.   

Some books introduced to students are gifts that they will remember the rest of their lives.  Be that teacher that gives that gift.  Here I just want to say thank you to Mrs. Barclay.  I still have my original copy.

Unbroken: An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive  by Laura Hillenbrand

This book begins with an excruciating description of three men who are floating on a raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Suffice it to say that sharks are predominant in the narrative of the first chapter.  Fifth grade boys?  Gotcha.  Add to the sharks stuff the fact that the main character, Louis Zabarelli, is a former Olympian and you just set the hook.

This recommendation of the young adult adaptation of Louis Zabarelli’s story, but that shouldn’t be a cause for hesitation.  This book graces the shelf of my classroom library, but it isn’t on the shelf very often.  That and it’s worn condition testifies that Louis Zabarelli’s story does hold appeal for upper elementary aged students.  I’ve included the movie trailer for you in case you want more evidence.

Hidden Figures  by Margot Lee Shetterly

This is another worn book in my classroom library.  In fact, I have three copies because it has been that popular. 

You can find some extra resources here if you’re that smart teacher that seeks to intertwine some science lessons into your literature.  If you haven’t seen the movie that was released a few years ago, you can watch the trailer here.

Save time and stress this school year with these   Nonfiction Reading Response Activities that can be used over and over throughout the school year with ANY nonfiction text.   

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will respond through reading, writing, poetry, speaking, listening, drawing, interviewing, and more.    This is a must have   for any upper elementary teacher that does not want to have to constantly recreate the wheel.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind  by William Kamkwamba

You may want to watch the movie on Netflix, but don’t tell your students it is there until after they read the book.  (And you could use some of these questions and activity ideas for comparing movies to books.)   Another recommendation from my classroom shelves.

I Am Malala  by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick

Look up the word inspiring in the dictionary and you may find Malala Yousafzai’s picture there.  Malala Yousafzai is internationally famous because she and her family stood up to the Taliban’s edict that girls were not allowed to receive an education.  Malala’s father taught her not to back down from what she believed in, even though she knew she was in danger, Malala continued to attend school.  As a result, Malala almost lost her life when she was shot riding the bus home from school. 

Here’s a short video about how Malala, the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17, continues her mission to make a difference in the lives of young women around the world.

A biography of Malala also made this list of books about overcoming obstacles.

Ugly  by Robert Hoge

Do we have a choice in what we allow to define us?  Robert Hoge’s memoir answers this question with a resounding, “Yes!” 

Bullied and misunderstood because of a facial tumor and other disabilities he was born with, Robert Hoge teaches us how to live wholeheartedly and fearlessly despite how we might be judged and treated by the world.  This is the very best kind of story, honestly and simply told by the person who lived through it all. 

Robert was born with disfigurements that made him a baby only a mother could love, except his own mother didn’t want him and still, he made it.  I know I have students who need to hear his story and I’m sure you do too.

Mountains Beyond Mountains  by Tracey Kidder

I was beyond excited when I learned that Tracey Kidder’s book about Dr. Paul Farmer and his work with Partners in Health had been adapted for young readers. 

Tracey Kidder shadows Dr. Paul Farmer whose mission is to provide quality healthcare to the most economically disadvantaged people in the world’s most impoverished populations.  Dr. Farmer’s father exemplified altruism and expected his children to participate in his passion. 

Even though the family didn’t have money, Dr. Farmer made a decision to attend college and pursue medicine.  It was a high school guidance counselor that helped him take the first steps. 

This is a book that I challenge students to read, because it’s...well...challenging!  But a student who  choses to tackle it has not been disappointed.  

My Thirteenth Winter  by Samantha Abel

Samantha Abel was a straight A student with a secret.  She couldn’t remember her locker combination or tell time.  The disconnect caused her to suffer from anxiety attacks.  In her thirteenth winter, Samantha found the strength and the courage to confront her problems.  Consequently, Samantha learned that she had a learning disability called dyscalculia.   Once the disability is discovered and addressed, Samantha’s life begins to change. 

As teachers know, learning disabilities are a discrepancy between intelligence and academic struggle.  It is in that often agonizing struggle that a learning disability is  forced to the surface.  We know what they are, but we don’t really know what causes them. 

A Long Walk to Water  by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park lays out the story in two distinct sections, intermingling fiction and nonfiction.  The book tells the story from the point of view of a young girl, Nya, as she walks all day long to procure water for her family’s needs:  hence the title.  But it is Salva’s point of view story that is truly central to the book.  Salva is one of the “Lost Boys” of Sudan who is walking to escape the violence and constant threat of being conscripted into the Sudanese army.  Spoiler...the two stories come together at the end of the book. 

I spend a lot of time convincing those kiddos who read ahead not to give away the ending and wreck the book for their classmates.  This link will take you to a short video about Salva.

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is the first African-American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history.  Adapted for young readers, the adult version of this book made the New York Times best-seller list.  This is another excellent autobiography I’ve had to purchase in multiples because it is in demand with my girls. 

Misty Copeland’s grit and determination, added to her passion, led her to a successful career in dance.  It all began so simply. 

She writes,  “My family didn't have very much money, so ballet wasn't even on my radar; I just found it randomly when I was 13 at a Boys & Girls Club. We were practicing on a basketball court in gym clothes with some old socks on. Even though it terrified me at first, I found that I really liked it.”  Find something you love and pursue it with all your heart.  Yes.

Check out these other inspirational biographies of African-Americans.

Lion: A Long Way Home  by Saroo Brierley

An incredible true story that just proves the point that life is often stranger than anything anyone could make up in a million years. 

His book chronicles his struggle to remember where he came from and to reconnect with his family, which he does when he is 25 years old.  You can watch a trailer for the Hollywood Version here.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

Vincent’s younger brother Theo is the pragmatist in the relationship, but still an art lover—he works as an art dealer, which on the face of it could be immensely helpful for Vincent.  But Vincent’s artistic style, that of the Impressionist school, is simply not in fashion and Theo can’t change that fact. 

Despite their personality differences and all the drama Vincent brings to the relationship these brothers remain loyal to the core.  This is a beautiful and touching story of brotherly love and devotion. 

You’ll find it special as a direct result of Deborah Heilgman’s efforts to get the details right: she carefully gleaned information from more than 600 letters Vincent wrote to his brother Theo over his lifetime. 

Deborah Heiligman is the award winning author of Charles and Emma and many other books for children and young adults.

Find more book suggestions for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students here.  

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Best Biography Books for 4th Graders

• by Jenna Boyer
• August 8, 2023

Students in 4th grade, like all children, are very inquisitive, and by that age, they are also starting to look a little deeper at the world around them. They want to learn why things are the way they are. So, for those curious and ambitious students, we have listed the best biography books for 4th graders.

These books will guide them to make sense of people’s actions. These books will satisfy their curiosity, inspire them and teach them many lessons about the ups and downs of real life.

Best Biography Books for 4th Graders – Our List

1.  manfish.

Manfish is a biography about the life of Jacques Cousteau , a famous explorer best known for his obsession with the ocean. The book contains beautiful illustrations of the underwater world that your 4th graders will dive right into.

French naval officer turned underwater explorer; Jacques co-invented the Aqua-Lung. This is a device that has allowed millions of people across the world to enjoy the delights of what lies beneath the ocean’s surface. His device has allowed many scientists and oceanographers to make important discoveries about ocean life and has transformed the sport of diving.

The words in the book can be poetic in parts and challenging in others. Despite being a non-fiction text, it is told in narrative form. Jacques’s life becomes a beautifully described story that readers can immerse themselves in.

The vivid language used in the book is an excellent example of descriptive writing , making the book a great choice to study when teaching 4th graders about descriptive techniques.

2. Henri’s Scissors

This is a picture book with few words but that doesn’t mean it’s not suitable for 4th graders . The picture book format is actually a refreshing change from the usual prose-style books that 4th graders are most used to.

The artwork in the book is important because this biography is about the life of artist, Henri Matisse. The book would be an excellent book to share at the start of an art project on a famous artist.

The biography gives an explanation as to why Matisse’s style of art changed from painting to collage. Presented in pictures with a few lines of text on each page, the book delicately tells the story of the hardships Matisse faced in his final years. It also holds an important message about overcoming life’s challenges to achieve great things.

The illustrations are a visual treat and are sure to inspire creativity in any 4th grader.

3. Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Scientist Superstars

This is a collection of biographies about famous scientists . The cool thing is that the biographies start by focusing on the lives of these scientists during their childhood.

For 4th grade readers, there is a lot to gain from hearing about the lives of these successful scientists before they were famous. It teaches them that despite coming from humble beginnings, great things can be achieved. And, conveys the message that these great scientists were once regular kids, just like the readers.

With 15 biographies including those of, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Jane Goodall, there are plenty of science greats to capture the attention of students. Ranging from physicists, chemists, biologists, and environmentalists, the book covers a wide variety of scientific topics.

The illustrations are also worthy of mention too. Most of the pages contain amusing illustrations which is a big appeal to many 4th grade readers.

4. Who Was Anne Frank?

An age-appropriate biography for 4th grade, that covers the life of Anne Frank, a young girl famous for the diary she wrote during World War 2. It covers everything from her early childhood to her time in hiding and the impact her diary has had on the world since the second world war.

The biography gives the reader an insight into what life was like during wartime and shares the unbelievable story of Anne and her family who went into hiding.

Fourth graders will be intrigued, by her secret life and in awe of her strength and resilience.

Amongst the text are illustrations and maps, which give the reader a visual picture of what Anne’s life was like in the attic behind the bookcase where she and her family lived for 2-years.

5. The Boy Who Invented TV

This biography is a challenging read for 4th graders compared to the other books we have suggested so far. So, if you are looking for a biography to stretch and develop the reading skills of fourth grade readers, certainly consider this one. 

It is about the life of Philo Farnsworth, the boy who invented TV. The book provides more than enough detail about his life to fully satisfy curious 4th grade students.

Throughout the book, readers will come across highlighted words. These highlighted words direct readers to the glossary, where they will find easy-to-understand definitions. We love this feature in the book as it helps develops vocabulary and aids comprehension.

It’s a detailed book and one that teachers may decide to use as a read-along-text in class. The stop checks at the bottom of some pages are a useful tool for teachers. They can be used to assess students’ understanding of the text and encourages them to pay attention whilst reading.

6.  Sisters: Venus & Serena Williams

A sporting biography about Serena and Venus Williams, the tennis champions. Written by the famous author Jeanette Winter who is renowned for her child biographies, this book is a tale of perseverance and determination.

It is a picture book, but the text gives enough detail and challenge for 4th graders readers. The topics covered are also thought-provoking for children of this age.

It follows the lives of the two Williams sisters as they grow up with a dream of winning trophies and rising to the top of their game.

Brought up in a tough part of Los Angeles, California, the girls trained hard and overcame the challenges they faced within the community. Teaching fourth graders that despite everything dreams can be reached.

The book also discusses the problems the sisters had with injuries during their careers. A lesson to 4th graders on how to look after their bodies.

This biography is a brilliant choice for budding athletes, and sports fans and particularly teaches girls that they can succeed in sports too.

7.  Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King

It is hard not to feel moved when reading about the life of Martin Luther King. This man’s powerful and ever-important words have been captured in this wonderful biography all about his life.

Growing up, Martin experienced the negative effects words could have and the divisions they could cause. Making the decision to use words to change the world for the better , Martin Luther King made some of the most powerful and influential speeches in history.

The pages of this book focus on some of his most inspiring moments. They display empowering quotes and illustrations that bring his words to life once again.

The text in the book is not lengthy but everything that is written is important, Martin’s big words.

The illustrations alone are great for stimulating class discussions and debates.

This book holds the potential to teach 4th graders a lot about tolerance, equality, and how our words can affect others, we highly recommend it.

Best Biography Books for 4th Graders – Final Thoughts

Yes, biographies are a great way to satisfy those inquisitive and curious students that want to know about the lives of others. But more than that, biographies hold the potential to educate and inspire.

We have listed biographies of great people that have achieved great things in a variety of different areas. From artists, scientists, political speakers, sports people, and activists. There is bound to be something in this list of best biography books for 4th graders , that will suit your readers. And if you (or they) really can’t decide then the biography collection books are a handy option.

We hope our list inspires you as much as these biographies will inspire your students!

2 thoughts on “Best Biography Books for 4th Graders”

#6 Sisters the book written about is not the book you have pictured- I almost bought my fourth grade niece the wrong one from the picture…Opps- good thing I read the book description before purchasing 🙂

Thanks for calling that out Jennifer. The post is updated!

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Biographies & Autobiographies for Kids

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Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez

Uma Krishnaswami

Terry Catasús Jennings and Rosita Stevens-Holsey

Chris Barton

(Part of Generation Girl )

Niesen Joan

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Walk with Gandhi

Text: Gabriel Rosenstock Illustrations: Masood Hussain

Categories: Age 10-13 years , Age years 13+ , All FKB Books , Biography , Books for a Cause , Creative Commons , Editor's Picks , Gabriel Rosenstock , Grade 7+ , History , Inspirational , moral , Non-Fiction , Older Children , poetry , Spiritual , Values , Young Adult

An enlightening text on the life of Gandhi, containing enlightening snapshots of Gandhi’s life, with lots of questions for reflection, making it very suitable for school use – social studies, history, art, or English. The Haiku, images, and text reflect the remarkable life of Mahatma (‘great soul’) who brought freedom to India through non-violent protest. …

The Life Story of Ayrton Senna

Sachin Dissanayake

Categories: Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , Careers , Cars , Children , Creative Commons , Grade 4 to Grade 6 , Intermediate English , Non-Fiction , Sachin Dissanayake

Ayrton Senna’s life, a race driver and philanthropist, is highlighted in this book for elementary school age children. The book details his early life, race successes and career, and his tragic ending and legacy.  

Sindiwe and the Fireflies

Author: Cheréne Pienaar Illustrator: Jano Strydom

Categories: Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , BookDash , Children , Creative Commons , Inspirational , Non-Fiction

Sindiwe and the Fireflies – This is the story of Sindiwe Magona. Born in the village of Gungululu in rural Eastern Cape. Born on August 23 1943, But life was not easy on Sindiwe, she left school in order to work as a cleaner, but no matter difficult her situation was Sindiwe never gave up …

Kali Wants to Dance – Biography of Kali Veerapathiran

Author: Aparna Karthikeyan Illustrator: Somesh Kumar

Categories: Age 10-13 years , Age 6-9 years , Biography , Careers , Children , Creative Commons , Culture , Fluent English , Grade 4 to Grade 6 , Inspirational , Storyweaver-Pratham

Kali Wants to Dance is the biography of Kali Veerapathiran born in a fishing Village, with a talent and passion in dancing. But his family does not have enough money to spare for dance classes. And who has heard of boys dancing for a living? “Who has ever learned dance and made any money from it? It’s a …

What is Love – Children’s Biography of Helen Keller

Free Kids Books

Categories: Age 10-13 years , Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , Children , Creative Commons , Danielle Bruckert , Diversity and Differences , Editor's Picks , Emotions , Free Kids Books , Grade 4 to Grade 6 , Helen Keller , Intermediate English , Non-Fiction , Older Children

In What is Love – a children’s biography of Helen Keller, an excerpt from Helen Keller’s book, The Story of My Life is included, whereupon she explains beautifully the first time she learns what love is and what her life was like before her teacher arrived, thereafter the book details the biography of Helen Keller …

The Story of My Life – Helen Keller’s Autobiography up to age 21

Helen Keller

Categories: Biography , Classic Books , Diversity and Differences , Fluent English , Grade 7+ , Helen Keller , Non-Fiction , Stories with English Worksheets

Helen Keller’s Autobiography, written at age 22, and details her growing up, before and after meeting Anne Sullivan, and her years in formal education, both special needs education and afterwards when she was accepted into main stream education, with the help of Ms Sullivan’s translation. The book includes letters written by Helen from the age …

The World I Live In and Optimism – Helen Keller

Categories: Age 10-13 years , Age years 13+ , All FKB Books , Biography , Classic Books , Fluent English , Grade 7+ , Helen Keller , Non-Fiction , Older Children , Public Domain

In The World I Live In – The Practice of Optimism, Iby Helen Keller explains in an amazing and inspiring set of biographical accounts, along with essays and poems what it is like for her in her world. Helen Keller, being both deaf and blind, seeing the world through her sense of touch, displays an …

Tine and the Faraway Mountain – Children’s biography, A story of determination

Author: Shikha Tripathi Illustrator: Ogin Nayam

Categories: Adventure , Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , Children , Grade 1 to Grade 3 , Intermediate English , Non-Fiction , Storyweaver-Pratham

In Tine and the Faraway Mountain we follow the story of Tine Mena, a mountineer, who at the age of 25 became the first woman from North-East India to climb Everest. Tine Mena was a young girl from  Mishmi hills of Arunachal Pradesh who heard the calling of the mountains. She had to hide her …

Benjamin Franklin – Interactive Biographies for Kids

Categories: Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , Children , Creative Commons , Grade 1 to Grade 3 , Intermediate English , Kiwi Opa , Non-Fiction

Benjamin Franklin was an amazing person, statesman, businessman, author, philanthropist, and inventor, with his achievements from the declaration of independence to contributions to discovering electricity.  This biography tells all the events of his life, interspersed with activities for children to complete. This Benjamin Franklin children’s book is great for a school or home school project. …

Dipa Karmakar – In Perfect Balance, Biography for children

Author: Sreelata Menon, Illustrator: Sonal Gupta

Categories: Age 6-9 years , All FKB Books , Biography , Children , Creative Commons , Grade 1 to Grade 3 , Intermediate English , Storyweaver-Pratham

In Perfect Balance is the story of Dipa Karmakar – Biography for children, the first female Indian Olympic gymnast. Karmakar is famous for being one of only five women in the world who have ever successfully landed the Produnova vault. The story is inspiring since Dipa had to overcome diversity, having flat feet, not suitable …

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57 Awesome 4th Grade Books You’ll Want To Share With Students

Titles to inspire each one of your fourth graders!

Fourth grade is an exciting time to share books with kids. Whether it’s reading aloud a fascinating nonfiction picture book or compelling personal narrative, hooking a reluctant reader with a new graphic novel, or matching a kid with just the novel they need right now, your fourth grade classroom library should be where it’s at. Old favorites are awesome, but when you’re looking to update the choices on your shelves, check out this big list of recent fourth grade books recommended by educators.

Note: There’s such a huge range of emotional maturity in fourth grade, and you know your students best. A few of these books may be best read aloud and discussed together.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Paradise Sands: A Story of Enchantment by Levi Pinfold

Four siblings visit a creepy desert hotel and plunge into a haunting adventure. This mesmerizing and mysterious picture book is guaranteed to get your fourth graders talking, wondering, flipping back to check text evidence, and making inferences.

Buy it: Paradise Sands: A Story of Enchantment at Amazon

2. Heart Berry Bling by Jenny Kay Dupuis

Maggie visits her grandmother for a delicious fry bread lunch and cozy afternoon beading together. Through this relatable personal narrative, kids can learn about Anishinaabe beading and culture, as well as the impact of the Indian Act on First Nations women and families in Canada. This is a fantastic upper elementary picture book—so much to learn and discuss together!

Buy it: Heart Berry Bling at Amazon

3. Noticing by Kobi Yamada

Add this beauty to your fourth grade books to encourage mindfulness . A girl and an artist learn together how to notice both the familiar and the unknown.

Buy it: Noticing at Amazon

4. The Little Mermaid retold by Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney’s breathtaking update to a classic, high-interest tale stars a main character of color and has affirming themes of friendship, family, and identity.

Buy it: The Little Mermaid at Amazon

5. Love by Matt de la Peña

This moving title is ageless, but we particularly love how it can get fourth graders talking in more depth about a complex topic.

Buy it: Love at Amazon

6. Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella

This book is a science unit unto itself! In systematic sections, it explores what happened when wolves disappeared from—and then came back to—Yellowstone National Park. Build kids’ understanding of vocabulary about relationships within an ecosystem with this memorable real-world story.

Buy it: Bringing Back the Wolves at Amazon

7. How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford

This is the nonfiction account of African American eighth grader MacNolia Cox and her trip to the 1936 National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. It puts experiences with racism into relatable contexts for all kids and would be great to spark additional learning and discussion about kids’ experiences with discrimination.

Buy it:   How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee at Amazon

8. Glitter Everywhere! Where It Came From, Where It’s Found, and Where It’s Going by Chris Barton

The awesome thing about sharing nonfiction picture books with fourth graders is how everyone can learn something new. From teaching vocabulary words like “iridescent” to looking at the environmental impact of its microplastic composition, this author answers every imaginable question about glitter! We love how this title shows kids an unconventional nonfiction writing topic too.

Buy it: Glitter Everywhere! at Amazon

9. Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau

This inspiring story highlights the activism of Kichwa people to stop rainforest deforestation. It reminds us of Lynne Cherry’s The Great Kapok Tree but with more in-depth factual information. It’s a perfect complement to rainforest or ecosystem studies or as part of an exploration of indigenous cultures. The author’s note “Standing Up for Land Around the World” would be a fantastic springboard for small-group research projects on indigenous movements to protect land.

Buy it: Stand as Tall as the Trees at Amazon

10. Becoming Muhammad Ali: A Novel by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander

Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Written in prose and verse, this book looks at his life from birth to age 17. It captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.

Buy it: Becoming Muhammad Ali at Amazon

11. Sound: Shhh … Bang … POP … BOOM! by Romana Remanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv

Here’s a perfect example of artistry in informational writing. A neon color scheme and tons of visual features give readers a primer on the topic of sound. Share as part of a science unit on sound or to simply help students up the cool factor in their own nonfiction writing.

Buy it: Sound: Shhh … Bang … POP … BOOM! at Amazon

12. She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown

This biography chronicles the bold achievements of the first Black person to run for president as a major party candidate. While short in stature, Shirley Chisholm was a strong, influential leader and advocate who made a lasting impact. Your students deserve to be inspired by her!

Buy it: She Was the First! at Amazon

13. Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Irene Latham and Charles Waters

When an unlikely pair works on a poetry project together, they think they have nothing in common. The effective back-and-forth format will get kids thinking.

Buy it: Can I Touch Your Hair? at Amazon

14. Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth

Award-winning authors Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth have compiled this collection of poems that celebrates poets who have touched their lives and influenced their work.

Buy it: Out of Wonder at Amazon

15. I’m Trying To Love Math by Bethany Barton

After convincing arguments heralding bees and spiders in her previous titles, Bethany Barton uses her powers of persuasion to demonstrate the wide reach, usefulness, and coolness of math. Read this to quell any groans about the relevance of math in the real world.

Buy it: I’m Trying To Love Math at Amazon

16. Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Tanya Lee Stone

It’s a history lesson from a completely unique angle. Add this to your fourth grade books to use as nonfiction writing mentor texts. Of course, after reading, you’ll need to break out the board game during indoor recess or invite your students to design their own.

Buy it: Pass Go and Collect $200 at Amazon

17. Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went From the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace

This isn’t your typical athlete’s biography. Everyone thought Ernie Barnes should play professional football, but he never gave up on his dream of being an artist.

Buy it: Between the Lines at Amazon

18. So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom by Gary D. Schmidt

Introduce students to this fascinating and influential woman who worked tirelessly to fight against both racial and gender inequality.

Buy it: So Tall Within at Amazon

19. Flight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape From East Germany by Kristen Fulton

A family secretly builds a hot-air balloon for a nighttime crossing over the Berlin Wall. This compelling story is a perfect-sized slice of history to captivate students. The information provided about the actual construction of the hot-air balloon, both in the text and extensive back matter, could also spark interesting STEM conversations about the design process.

Buy it: Flight for Freedom at Amazon

20. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

Maria Merian was a brave and passionate scientist who was well ahead of her time. This beautifully written and illustrated chapter book biography offers so many discussion opportunities.

Buy it: The Girl Who Drew Butterflies at Amazon

21. Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! by Marley Dias

Marley Dias, creator of the #1000blackgirlbooks movement, is an amazing peer role model to teach kids about activism.

Buy it: Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! at Amazon

22. Bat Citizens: Defending the Ninjas of the Night by Rob Laidlaw

Great nonfiction challenges readers’ thinking with a clear focus. This fascinating title about bat conservation does just that.

Buy it: Bat Citizens at Amazon

23. Two Truths and a Lie books by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson

Make discussions about responsible research practices memorable and fun. This innovative series asks readers to separate fact from fiction in short sections ideal for classroom discussion.

Buy it: Two Truths and a Lie books at Amazon

24. You Choose series by various authors

Hopefully you already have a few titles from this longstanding “Choose Your Own Adventure”–style series mixed into your fourth grade books, but did you know they keep coming out with cool new titles? We love this series for getting kids thinking and talking about their reading. After all, they have to make the decisions about how they’d react when faced with dangerous animals, infamous monsters, and plenty more! Great for small-group or partner reads.

Buy it: You Choose: Wild Encounters at Amazon

Buy it: You Choose: Monster Hunter at Amazon

25. I Survived Graphix series by Lauren Tarshis

These popular nonfiction chapter book adventures are now fast-paced graphic novels! You’ll want the entire series for sure.

Buy it: I Survived Graphix at Amazon

26. Grace Needs Space! by Benjamin A. Wilgus and Rii Abrego

We were glad to add this futuristic, inclusive graphic novel to our fourth grade book offerings. Grace can’t wait to travel on her own to visit one of her moms, who works on a space station on a distant moon. Despite the out-of-this-world setting, kids will have lots of connections to how hard it can feel when a highly anticipated experience doesn’t quite go as expected.

Buy it: Grace Needs Space! at Amazon

27. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

This unparalleled graphic novel shares the true story of Somali brothers’ life growing up in a refugee camp. Put this at the top of your stack of fourth grade books to build kids’ background knowledge about the experiences of refugees. We’ve seen many kids finish it and then immediately start it over again!

Buy it: When Stars Are Scattered at Amazon

28. Paws series by Nathan Fairbairn

This graphic novel series is ideal for kids who like the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels . Four best friends who love animals but aren’t allowed to have pets come up with a masterful plan to start a dog-walking business.

Buy it: Paws series at Amazon

29. Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Avery Lee is one of seven siblings, and she wishes she could just have some of her own space! This graphic novel shares all the drama, chaos, and love that happens in a big family. It’s perfect for kids who live in large families themselves or have wondered what it would be like. We adore this author-illustrator team—also check out Allergic —and hope they keep creating together.

Buy it: Squished at Amazon

30. Witches of Brooklyn series by Sophie Escabasse

When Effie moves in with her aunts in Brooklyn and finds out she’s part of a family of witches, everything changes. This graphic novel series has an appealing balance of fantasy and realistic themes about growing up.

Buy it: Witches of Brooklyn series at Amazon

31. Front Desk series by Kelly Yang

This delightful series follows the adventures of Mia Tang, who lives in a motel with her immigrant parents. As her parents clean the motel and help other immigrant families, Mia dreams of being a writer. A timely collection of fourth grade books that honors Chinese culture and experiences.

Buy it: Front Desk series at Amazon

32. New From Here by Kelly Yang

Just go ahead and stock your fourth grade bookshelves with every title Kelly Yang writes! Kids especially love this pandemic-themed story. Ten-year-old Knox has to move suddenly from Hong Kong to California when COVID-19 first begins to spread. The racism he faces in his new home is an unexpected challenge.

Buy it: New From Here at Amazon

33. City Spies series by James Ponti

In this thrilling series that Stuart Gibbs called “a must-read,” Edgar Award winner James Ponti brings together five kids from all over the world and transforms them into real-life spies. It’s wonderful for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls .

Buy it: City Spies series at Amazon

34. Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj

An uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism.

Buy it: Count Me In at Amazon

35. A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

Mars rover Res (short for Resilience) is not designed to have feelings—but as he observes the humans around him, emotional responses seem to start creeping in. When his Mars mission launches, he has to dig deep to live up to his name. Quick chapters and varying formats and points of view keep readers hooked on this story. It would be a huge hit as a class read-aloud or for coding- and robotics-loving kiddos.

Buy it: A Rover’s Story at Amazon

36. Welcome to Wonderland series by Chris Grabenstein

Kids will race through this zany series about ambitious P.T. Wilkie, who goes to desperate creative lengths to save his grandfather’s Florida motel. It has a perfect blend of humor and inspirational kid power winning over greedy adults. Plus, kids will learn a bit about business. Add these to your fourth grade books to energize reluctant readers.

Buy it: Welcome to Wonderland series at Amazon

37. The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier

Maya has a lot on her mind. She loves soccer, music, and her family. But this summer, it feels like things aren’t right. Fresh, readable, and relatable, kids who have experience with parental separation will connect with Maya and appreciate the feel-good ending. The fortune cookie fortunes at the start of each chapter are a fun detail.

Buy it: The Many Fortunes of Maya at Amazon

38. Speculation by Nisi Shawl

When Winna breaks her glasses by mistake, her grandfather gives her a pair that used to belong to her great aunt. She’s in for a huge surprise when it turns out the glasses are magic! They can transport her back in time to learn more about her ancestors—and now it’s up to Winna to solve a crucial mystery. Fantasy-lovers will blaze through this enthralling story, but you can also add this title to your fourth grade books that build kids’ background knowledge about slavery.

Buy it: Speculation at Amazon

39. The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

For as long as Ryanna can remember, it’s just been her and her movie-director dad living a quiet, organized life in California. Then her dad gets a letter from her maternal grandparents on the East Coast inviting Ryanna to spend the summer at their camp. She plunges into a wild extended-family scene and a family mystery, complete with a mysterious treasure map to decipher. Share this fun story with fourth graders as they anticipate summer break, or anytime they need a dose of summer family fun.

Buy it: The Firefly Summer at Amazon

40. The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett

This recent title gets rave reviews from educators for good reason—it’s breathtaking. Eleven-year-old Kemi shares her experiences and reflections as a catastrophic asteroid approaches Earth. This would make a powerful class read-aloud. Be sure to preview it: You’ll love savoring it solo but also because the ending is a surprise, and the book includes themes you’ll want to know about before sharing with students.

Buy it: The Probability of Everything at Amazon

41. Gold Rush Girl by Avi

Wanting to stay with her father, Tory stows away on a ship heading west to search for gold in 1848. Spot-on details and high suspense make this a vivid, absorbing historical adventure for your collection of fourth grade books.

Buy it: Gold Rush Girl at Amazon

42. Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone

Add this to your fourth grade books for students who love the Marvel Universe. This story, written by award-winning YA author Nic Stone, takes readers on an adventure with Shuri, the younger sister of T’Challa (aka the Black Panther).

Buy it: Shuri: A Black Panther Novel at Amazon

43. Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan

A beautifully written fantasy novel about a young man setting out on a perilous quest. This book, written by the author of Esperanza Rising , is sure to be well loved by your fourth grade students.

Buy it: Mañanaland at Amazon

44. New Kid by Jerry Craft

Winner of the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, this is a graphic novel about the struggles of being the new kid in school.

Buy it: New Kid at Amazon

45. Weird Little Robots by Caroline Crimi

When two science-savvy girls create an entire robot world, they don’t expect the robots to come alive. But life may be a bit more magical than they thought.

Buy it: Weird Little Robots at Amazon

46. Pumpkin Falls Mysteries by Heather Vogel Frederick

These stories follow the adventures of Truly Lovejoy, a young girl whose family has moved from Texas to a tiny town in New Hampshire to take over their family’s century-old bookstore. Left largely to her own devices, Truly finds herself chasing down clues found in old books.

Buy it: Pumpkin Falls Mysteries at Amazon

47. Pax books by Sara Pennypacker

Included on the National Book Award Longlist, this poignant tale follows the growing pains of a relationship between a boy and his fox.

Buy it: Pax series at Amazon

48. Dragons in a Bag series by Zetta Elliott

This urban fantasy series begins when Jaxon finds out the mean old lady next door is a witch, and she asks him for his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they’ll be safe.

Buy it: Dragons in a Bag series at Amazon

49. Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Inspired by her childhood love of classic books like A Secret Garden and The Chronicles of Narnia , bestselling author Tahereh Mafi crafts a spellbinding new world where color is currency, adventure is inevitable, and friendship is found in the most unexpected places.

Buy it: Furthermore at Amazon

50. Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

There are so many levels to this story of an 11-year-old boy and his grandmother’s unconventional road trip. The story packs in tons of background about the Civil Rights era without being preachy.

Buy it: Clean Getaway at Amazon

51. The One and Only series by Katherine Applegate

Endearing animal characters and perspectives, relatable emotions—this series of instant fourth grade book classics is a delight to kids and teachers alike!

Buy it: The One and Only series at Amazon

52. The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley

Pearl lives on a cattle-and-ostrich ranch and dreams of following in her brothers’ footsteps as a stunt double in silent films. This historical fiction title is full of fun and spunk and is great for learning about a storyteller’s voice.

Buy it: The Nerviest Girl in the World at Amazon

53. On These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez

When Minerva’s mother doesn’t come home from her night shift, Minerva takes care of her younger sisters. Amid grave uncertainty, unexplained events bring bits of comfort. This Peter Pan spinoff layers magical thinking with real themes of resilience, responsibility, and family bonds. It’s a fantastic class discussion novel or one to add to a list of fourth grade books to push independent readers toward deeper comprehension.

Buy it: On These Magic Shores at Amazon

54. Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

Jingwen has lots to cope with between his recent move to Australia and his father’s death, but there’s still room for plenty of humor in this highly readable Own Voices graphic novel. It will particularly resonate with ELL students and those who’ve had to navigate a move to a new place.

Buy it: Pie in the Sky at Amazon

55. Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh by Uma Krishnaswami

Part sports novel, part World War II–era historical fiction—with a strong dose of girl power—readers will be cheering for Maria.

Buy it: Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh at Amazon

56. Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

We’re predicting it here: This will become a new classic for kids. It’s a fable that stars a young chimney sweep girl during Victorian times who meets tragic circumstances, but the themes of friendship, acceptance, and resilience are timeless. If you have sensitive kiddos, preview it first before reading aloud.

Buy it: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster at Amazon

57. We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey

This book asks students to imagine they were sent to a completely different planet where they were the outcasts. When it happens to the main character, the situations range from funny to potentially dangerous, but the overall message is timely and meant to make your students think. And isn’t that what the best fourth grade books do?

Buy it: We’re Not From Here at Amazon

Plus, check out our other elementary grade–level book lists:

Best kindergarten books, best 1st grade books, best 2nd grade books, best 3rd grade books, best 5th grade books, which recent fourth grade books are your favorites let us know in the comments, looking for more great book lists subscribe to our newsletters to receive notifications when we post new ones .

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A great way to teach about history and content-area topics, biographies highlight famous figures, inventors, scientists, civil rights leaders, sports legends, and heros. Many of these mini-books, plays, and passages feature question/response activities, biography worksheets, teaching guides, lesson ideas, and graphic organizers.

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Download 100 Best Middle Grade Books. Send it!

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Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

The Best Biography Books for Middle School

Ahh, middle school. Those awkward early teen years, brimming with angst and euphoria, are all about kids on the cusp of adolescence, trying to figure out their story and who they will be. Middle schoolers have developed a sense of their own history and are developing their passions that will shape who they are in the years to come. Middle grade biography books are a critical gateway into giving middle schoolers a chance to glimpse the coming-of-age stories of their own idols and heroes. Whether they are ballerinas, civil rights activists, inventors or foodies, there are middle school biography books for kids of all interests on this list. You’ll also find the recommended grade levels for each book on this list!

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20 Best Middle Grade Biography Books

Text Middle School Biography Books

The books in this section are the typical biographies, written in largely text format:

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team

Steve Sheinkin, a three-time National Book Award finalist, writes a compelling history of one of the most impressive athletes in American history, as well as one of its most disturbing instances: the creation of Indian boarding schools in the late 1800s to early 1900s. This book highlights one athlete’s story, from his humble beginnings to his athletic triumphs over adversity on the football field to the larger contributions of Native Americans to the field of football. This is an intriguing and important must-read for many sports fans. 

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina

There are multiple children’s biographies and picture books of Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer for the prestigious American Ballet Theater. This autobiography shares the details of her impressive rise from an itinerant childhood to the elevated niche in which she now finds herself. Hand this book to kids who devoured her picture books and are now ready to read the finer details of her life and the way she persevered through challenges like her stepfather’s alcoholism, frequent moves, and body image issues in a notoriously difficult environment for girls with curves. Her optimistic voice, giddy with youth yet wise with a sense of purpose, sends a strong message to teens about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and a strong commitment to family, making her a positive, yet very cool, role model to look up to. 

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind 

A nonfiction classic that weaves strands of agricultural innovation, strength in adversity, and a community coming together, this book, also the subject of multiple movies and documentaries, doesn’t get old. This book tells the fascinating story of a boy and a community. William Kamkwamba, who was born into a small village in Malawi, faces the terrible consequences of a drought that hits his village. Losing all their crops and struggling to farm their land with the rising cost of maize and faced with a government that could or would not help much, Kamkwamba ends up creating a windmill out of old, scavenged parts that helps their community pump water back into the village’s land. Told with strength, joy, humor, and energy, this nonfiction book is a great read-aloud or book to be shared between middle schoolers and adults alike.

Popular: How a Geek in Pearls Discovered the Secret to Confidence

The premise of this book is bound to appeal to middle schoolers. Written by a teen herself, Maya Van Wagenen is a shy, quiet bookworm who is having trouble making friends at her school in rural Texas and is, in her words, on one of the lowest rungs of the social ladder. Before her 8th grade year, she finds a vintage book in her parents’ collection, titled “How to Be Popular,” written in 1951 by former teen model Betty Cornell. Maya decides, as a social experiment, to follow these rules for popularity in her contemporary 2000s-era high school to a tee. What follows is expectedly hilarious, adorably awkward, sweetly poignant and unapologetically, unflinchingly beautiful and inspiring, as Maya learns the true secret of popularity – confidence in one’s own unique voice. Hand this book to every middle schooler navigating the treacherous shoals of finding their own identity during their teen years.

Amelia Lost

Candace Fleming is a nonfiction author who is such an expert at characterization and tight pacing,  that her biography of this famed aviator, which could have been very run-of-the-mill (and we know there are many of those out there!), into a suspenseful thriller that will keep readers turning the pages, even though we already know how it all ends. Starting not at Earhart’s childhood but at her disappearance, Fleming’s narrative flips back and forth between the excruciating hours of her disappearance and the frantic search to find her, to snippets from her childhood, growing up years, eventual fame, and marriage, before all finally meeting up at the end. You think you know the story of Amelia Earhart, but this book writes it in a way that feels fresh and fascinating.

Unbroken (Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian’s Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive 

This book is a harrowing true account of Louis Zamperini, an exuberant Italian American immigrant who gets shot down during World War 2 and survives being stranded at sea as well as nightmarish torture in a Japanese POW camp. Adapted for teen readers, the author unflinchingly describes the hope and suffering that Louis Zamperini experiences during wartime. The evocative, spare language, accompanied by the expert pacing, will leave readers racing to read each next chapter to find out what happens. Unflinching descriptions of the harsh conditions that Zamperini experiences make this book one to read before giving to younger readers, but teens will be able to read this important and classic survival epic and have a renewed appreciation for war veterans and the heavy price our veterans have paid for America’s freedom.

Free Lunch 

This searing true account of the author’s personal experiences as a 6th grader experiencing hunger will have middle school readers poring over every page and when the book is done, seeing their world with new eyes. For privileged readers, this will help them better understand the unseen hardships of their fellow students. For those who are struggling, this book will help them feel seen and hopefully, understood. Ogle’s writing is direct, honest and sympathetic and will go straight to the heart of all readers, whether they are fantasy readers who often reject nonfiction in favor of new worlds to explore, or reluctant readers who get overwhelmed by too much descriptive text on the page. Ogle’s short, spare, evocative language will appeal to all readers.

Becoming Kid Quixote

A sweet, authentic nonfiction biography narrated by a ten year old girl, who finds inspiration and a way to share her story and her voice in the after school program she attends. Sarah Sierra, a daughter of Mexican American immigrant parents, studies the Spanish classic Don Quixote and together with a group of other young theater students, reimagine the play in modern day Brooklyn, New York. A slim, accessible volume, suitable for younger readers who will relish the opportunity to see and hear the words of one of their own and be inspired by her creativity themselves.

The Plot to Kill Hitler

A sobering, heroic biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a quiet, bookish pastor who saw the rise of Hitler and fought in a conspiracy to stop it. Although his actions ended in tragedy, his words continued to live on and inspire other activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. This young reader’s adaptation is text-heavy but worth the time, especially for readers interested in this time period and the actions of those who resisted Nazi thinking and atrocities.

The Boys who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

A more hopeful story of another band of World War 2 resisters, this biography of a group of schoolboys in Denmark who end up fighting back against the Nazis in Occupied Denmark, will be sure to delight middle schoolers who are history buffs and enjoy reading about the part children can play in history as well. We often tell the story of battles from the general’s point of view, but it is invigorating and inspiring to read how even small actions can have a powerful impact, to shape and motivate an entire community to act for the greater good.

Middle School Graphic Memoirs

There’s been a growing trend in middle grade nonfiction publishing for graphic memoirs – or autobiographies in a graphic novel format. These books are highly appealing for middle school readers, especially those who are reluctant readers. These graphic memoirs can seem deceptively simple but offer layers of emotional resonance, encouraging middle school readers to read text as well as visual cues of these biographies of authors who often share anecdotes and insights about their own teen years. 

Dare to Disappoint: Growing up in Turkey 

This funny, heartrending graphic memoir tells the story of Ozge, a girl growing up in 1980s Turkey. Readers will laugh along with Ozge as she describes her childhood growing up in Turkey and be intrigued by the differences between her childhood in newly industrializing Turkey and our modern-day American experience. As the book progresses, more complicated forces come into play and we notice, like the author as she gets older, the contradictory tug between loyalty,  faith, Muslim traditions and Westernized values. Hand this book to older middle schoolers who love art and who are ready for the harder questions of politics, economy and history.

Diary of a Tokyo Teen

This short, sweet graphic memoir was written by the author when she was just seventeen years old. Interspersed with drawings and photographs, this book traces the author’s first solo trip as a sixteen-year-old to stay with her grandparents in Japan for one summer. Told with a vivacious, authentic energy, this rises up above the mere travelogue and explores the thoughts and feelings a teenaged girl would experience, from the touristy (visiting golden Buddhist temples and feeding the Nara deer) to the mundane (like riding the bullet train by herself). This book will appeal to armchair travelers, artists and foodie teens alike.

Dreamer 

For the sports fan especially during hockey season, this memoir tells the story of Akim Aliu, a Nigerian-Ukrainian-Canadian professional hockey player who charts his fascinating personal story of his childhood and how he discovers ice hockey. Aliu shares his personal experiences with racism on and off the ice, his engrossing candor and compelling stories will make this a surefire hit with middle school readers. There are some visually depicted scenes of violence and swearing, just as a warning to parents who want to explore this before handing this book to their younger readers.

Almost American Girl: A Memoir

Middle schoolers who loved Raina Telgemeier’s Smile will be immersed in Robin Ha’s memoir. She came to Kansas on what she thought was a vacation with her single mother. However, once she landed in the United States, a teenage Robin was astounded to learn that they were no longer returning to Seoul, Korea, but living in the Southern US with a Korean-American man whom her mother had just met and planned to marry. Empathetic tween readers will shudder with sympathy as they follow Robin’s years through an American education, not speaking the language or being able to read her beloved comics. Artistic readers will relish the solace she ends up finding in drawing.

A First Time for Everything

Awardwinning graphic novelist Dan Santat pulls off a hat trick of a book – a personal story of his own awkward middle school years seen through the prism of one trip to Europe. This book hits all the right notes – the travelogue aspect, a chance to see Santat’s incredible illustrations of Europe in the 1980s, and his realistic, humorous depiction of his own experiences with friendship, first love and…Fanta, the European soda. Middle school readers will come for the drawings and stay for the thoughtful, poignant and thoroughly engaging musings of the brilliant Dan Santat.

Picture this: a Winnebago full of your EIGHT siblings, as you travel into Mexico, where you have barely been, even though you are a Mexican-American family, to find your abuelita and bring her back with you to the United States. This reads like the best premise of a novel, but is the true story of Pedro Martin, describing his own journey! Told in a poignant yet hilarious fashion, Martin’s graphic memoir (which won a Newbery Honor), shares family misadventures and anecdotal insights into Mexican-American culture that everyone will appreciate.

Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation 

The trend of graphic novel adaptations of classic middle grade books continues to grow. This book, one of the early adaptations, is a haunting, powerful and compelling version that stays true to the original text and portrays Anne Frank’s words and experience in elegant yet ominous detail.  The subdued color palette sets the atmosphere but the finely rendered ink drawings bring sophistication and dignity to this important story. Recommended for older middle grade readers, who will not be able to gloss over the realities of Anne Frank’s tragedy since it is rendered in visual detail, rather than in nuanced text.

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen 

The first of author/illustrator Lucy Knisley’s graphic memoirs, this book traces Lucy’s origins as a child of culinary parents, chefs and gourmets, in New York. From fine dining restaurants to farmers’ markets, this book has complex but beautifully illustrated recipes, detailed explanations and comic drawings, all of which will appeal to any young readers who love cooking shows. Whether you love creme brulee or cupcakes, this book has something for each palate.

Dragon Hoops

One of the best graphic biographies out there – since it combines the biography of Gene Luen Yang himself, as he struggles to write another book after his bestselling graphic novel, American Born Chinese. As he shares his writerly struggles, we learn more about his role as a teacher and his unexpected interest in his school’s varsity basketball team, which is making waves as they move towards the unprecedented goal of making the California State Championships. As Yang finds himself drawn to tracing their journey and their biographies, as individuals and as a team, he begins to see how this impacts his own history and view of himself. A must-read for middle schoolers who love comics, history, basketball, who didn’t think they liked comics, history or basketball. This book has it all.

March: Book One

A powerful graphic memoir about the beginnings of the civil rights movement, told through the eyes of Congressman John Lewis, one of its key figures. The first in a trilogy, the first book tells the story of Lewis’s childhood in Alabama, the life-changing moment he met Martin Luther King Jr, and his growing involvement in the sit-ins and other non-violent protests against segregation and discrimination. Readers will want to continue observing his journey in the following books in the series, that will take us up to the powerful March on Washington.

There they are: 20 fantastic middle school biographies! Which one of these have you read and enjoyed? What did I miss?

More Middle Grade Nonfiction

• 40 best middle grade nonfiction books
• Great nonfiction books for 6th graders
• 5th grade nonfiction books

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About Evelyn Schwartz

Evelyn is a school librarian/fifth grade teacher who loves board games, bird watching and most of all, being buried in a good book! Preferably while sipping hot cocoa on a slouchy couch with her family.

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How to Help Your 4th Grader Write a Biography

• Homework Tips
• Learning Styles & Skills
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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Assignments can differ from one teacher to another, but most fourth-grade biography papers will involve a specific format. If you don't have detailed instructions from their teacher, you can follow these instructions to help your child develop a great paper.

Every paper should have the following sections:

• An  introductory paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• A summary paragraph

The cover page gives the reader information about your child, their teacher, and the subject of your child's paper. It also makes the work look more polished. The cover page should include the following information:

• The title of your child's paper
• Your child's name
• The name of your child's teacher and their school
• Today's date

Introductory Paragraph

The introductory paragraph is where your child introduces his topic. It should contain a  strong first sentence that gives the reader a clear idea of what the paper is about. If your child is writing a report about Abraham Lincoln, the opening sentence may look something like this:

Abraham Lincoln once described himself as an ordinary man with an extraordinary story.

The introductory sentence should be followed by a few sentences that give a little more information about the topic and lead up to your child's "big claim," or thesis statement . A thesis statement is not merely a statement of fact. Rather, it is a specific claim that will be argued and defended later in the paper. The thesis statement also serves as a roadmap, giving the reader an idea of what is coming next.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of the biography are where your child goes into detail about their research. Each body paragraph should be about one main idea. In a biography of Abraham Lincoln, your child might write one paragraph about Lincoln's childhood and another about his time as president.

Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, support sentences, and a transition sentence.

A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Support sentences are where your child goes into detail, adding more information that supports the topic sentence. At the end of each body paragraph should be a transition sentence, which links the ideas from one paragraph to another. Transition sentences help guide the reader and keep the writing flowing smoothly.

Sample Body Paragraph

A body paragraph may look something like this:

(Topic sentence) Abraham Lincoln struggled to keep the country together when some people wanted to see it split apart. The Civil War broke out after many American states wanted to start a new country. Abraham Lincoln showed leadership skills when he led the Union to victory and kept the country from splitting in two. (Transition) His role in the Civil War kept the country together, but led to many threats to his own safety. (Next topic sentence) Lincoln did not back down under the many threats he received. . . .

Summary or Conclusion Paragraph

A strong conclusion restates your child's argument and sums up everything they have written. It should also include a few sentences that repeat the points your child made in each body paragraph. In the end, your child should include a final sentence that sums up the whole argument.

Although they contain some of the same information, the introduction and the conclusion should not be the same. The conclusion should build on what your child has written in their body paragraphs and wrap things up for the reader.

Sample Summary Paragraph

The summary (or conclusion) should look something like this:

Although many people in the country did not like Abraham Lincoln at the time, he was a great leader for our country. He kept the United States together when it was in danger of falling apart. He also stood brave in the face of danger and led the way to equal rights for all people. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most outstanding leaders in American history.

Bibliography

Your child's teacher may require a bibliography at the end of the student's paper. The bibliography is simply a list of books or articles that your child used for his research. The sources should be listed in a precise format  and in alphabetical order .

• How To Write an Essay
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• Definition and Examples of Body Paragraphs in Composition
• An Introduction to Academic Writing
• Tips for Writing an Art History Paper
• The Introductory Paragraph: Start Your Paper Off Right
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• Paragraph Writing
• How to Write a Great Process Essay
• How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
• Supporting Detail in Composition and Speech
• How to Structure an Essay
• Understanding What an Expository Essay Is
• What Is Expository Writing?
• How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
• 10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report