Top 16 Science Books For 4th Graders Updated 04 /2024

Natural Disasters

by: Claire Watts and Trevor Day - (DK Children, 2006) 72 pages.

Natural Disasters is part of the Eyewitness Books series, and it talks about a lot of different natural disasters, from earthquakes to sickness. It's written in simple language and is filled with amazing photos and diagrams. It has a lot of useful information, like a timeline of major disasters, a glossary, and a list of web and real-world resources (natural history and science museums) for more research.

The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth

by: EarthWorks Group - (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009) 208 pages.

50 Simple Things is a practical guide to saving resources and protecting the environment. It has quick facts and tips that are meant to get people to act. It is easier for people to understand when they talk about statistics and measurements in terms that people can understand, like comparing children's body weight to the amount of garbage they throw away in a year. The book also talks about how things like a light switch or a toilet can have a big impact on the rest of the world. Fun ideas for the whole family to talk about and then do!

Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth

by: Nicola Davies, illustrated by: Neal Layton - (Candlewick Press, 2006) 64 pages.

Extreme Animals is a book that will start a lot of "Did you know...?" conversations. It's full of interesting facts about animals that can survive in the most extreme situations on Earth. This animal is the most amazing of all because it can live through all of the extremes that people can make.

Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth

by: Lee Welles - (Daisyworld Press, 2006) 336 pages.

In the same way that Nancy Drews are eco-friendly, the characters in the Gaia Girls series will be a hit with girls who want to help the environment today. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth is the first book in the series, and it introduces Elizabeth, who has the power of "earth." This means that she can work with and command soil, trees, and other things that live in the ground. Illustrated all the way through, this book is for fourth-graders who are more mature because it doesn't hold back when it comes to talking about things like factory farming. Highly recommended because it has a great story and is sensitive to current issues.

Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People

by: Albert Marrin - (Dutton, 2006) 48 pages.

The picture of a rat on the cover of this book will be enough to make many kids want to read. "Revolting, revealing, and riveting," says the back cover of the book. It's a good description of the nine fact-filled chapters about these "champions of survival," and it's also true of the book itself. As part of this book, the author talks about rats' habits and intelligence. They also talk about rats' roles as disease-carrying rodents, lab animals and even as food. It will be a must-read for a lot of kids because of how disgusting the story is.

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea

by: Sy Montgomery, illustrated by: Nic Bishop - (Houghton Mifflin, 2006) 79 pages.

To find the Matschie's tree kangaroo, scientists Lisa Dabek and her team had to trek through the remote forests of Papua New Guinea. The author and photographer went with them. Less than nothing is known about this rare animal, which is brown and looks like a bear. It also has a pocket like a kangaroo and lives in trees. You'll love looking at the tree kangaroos in the book, as well as the trees they live in, the plants and animals they come across, and more. Dabek's background may be of special interest to young people who want to be naturalists and biologists. Her friends, family, and teachers didn't support her when she was growing up because they thought it was weird that she was so interested in animals. She also had a hard time with asthma. This book is full of interesting information about a little-known place on Earth, a new species, and how one woman overcame the odds to follow her dreams.

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming

by: Laurie David and Cambria Gordon - (Orchard Books, 2007) 128 pages.

As complicated as global warming is, Laurie David and Cambria Gordon's "Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming" makes it simple for people to learn about what it is. A lot of the first half is about the science behind climate change, so it's still relevant and fun for kids to watch. The book has a lot of pictures, and it ends with some important ways for kids to help. This guide will teach and empower young people. It will give them the information they need to understand this problem and the hope they need to get involved.

One Minute Mysteries

by: Eric Yoder and Natalie Yoder - (Science, Naturally!, 2016) 192 pages.

In Katya's cabin, there are bunk beds. She's at a sleep-away camp. In the middle of the night, she couldn't sleep because the room was too hot. Her friend says she should ask to switch to a lower bunk the next night. Why? Among 65 short stories in this book are ones like this one, which ask kids to figure out the answers based on their knowledge of simple science. Every time you read a story, you can flip to the next page and see the answer and the science behind it. For kids who love science, these short mysteries are a fun way to make it a part of their daily lives. They were written to meet the Next Generation Science Standards and to encourage a love of science at a young age, so they're great.

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