{"id":4022,"date":"2022-04-07T00:08:38","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T00:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/?p=4022"},"modified":"2022-04-07T00:08:39","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T00:08:39","slug":"high-interest-nonfiction-books-for-4th-graders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/high-interest-nonfiction-books-for-4th-graders\/","title":{"rendered":"High-Interest Nonfiction Books for 4th Graders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Check out our favorite nonfiction books for 4th graders<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiction isn\u2019t the only way to get kids to read. Getting them hooked on exciting fun facts and DIY projects is a great way to motivate them to hit the books\u2014bonus points if you can find titles that scratch their itch for topics they\u2019re already interested in. From American history and how-to books to fascinating reads on nature, check out this book list featuring our favorite nonfiction books for 4th graders below! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonfiction Books for 4th Graders on Epic <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adventures to School<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Miranda Paul<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Isabel Munoz <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What\u2019s your morning school routine? You might whip up a quick breakfast before dropping your little one off for a day of learning. But kids in other parts of the world get to school in all sorts of other ways. Determined to obtain an education, children in other countries walk for several hours, ride in rickshaws, walk over wire bridges and travel under other extraordinary circumstances to get to school. This fascinating book follows 13 real students as they embark on their sometimes dangerous treks in pursuit of knowledge.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ben Franklin’s Big Splash: The Mostly True Story of His First Invention<\/strong><\/a> (Animated Book)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Barb Rosenstock <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 3-8 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While not technically <\/em>nonfiction, this adorable animated book does give little kids an excellent intro to American history through the lens of one of our greatest inventors. Named a National Science Teachers Association Best STEM Book, this is the story of Ben Franklin’s first invention, swim fins! Created in conjunction with actual Franklin experts, this whimsical tale will take your kid along young Ben\u2019s journey through the scientific method, and teach them some inspiring lessons and trivia along the way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear<\/strong><\/a> (Animated Book)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Lindsay Mattick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Sophie Blackall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>4-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How about side-stepping the history books for a moment and learning about the story behind the iconic Winnie the Pooh? This #1 New York Times<\/em> Bestseller and Caldecott Medal-winner tells the remarkable story of Harry Colebourn. A veterinarian by trade, he heads to the front during World War I to treat horses when he rescues a baby bear. He names her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and takes her with him. Told by Colebourn\u2019s great-granddaughter, this is the true story of how the real-life Winnie made her way from the fields of Canada to an army base oversees and finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a boy named Christopher Robin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Trombone Shorty<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Troy \u201cTrombone Shorty\u201d Andrews<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by Bryan Collier<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>5-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This award-winning picture book tells the true story of Grammy-nominated musician Troy Andrews during his childhood in New Orleans. Nicknamed \u201cTrombone Shorty\u201d because he was so small that his trombone was twice his size, he attends the New Orlean\u2019s Jazz Heritage Festival with his mom and is invited on stage to play with the great Jazz musician Bo Diddley. From that moment forward, he\u2019s been performing ever since. This beautiful, upbeat book is a love note to music and an ode to following your dreams. Perfect for a read-aloud!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Life in a Frozen World: Wildlife in Antarctica<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Mary Batten<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Thomas Gonzalez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>6-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is your 4th-grade kid into topics like climate, ecology and conservation? This fascinating picture book captures Antarctica, the coldest and most extreme environment on Earth. With vivid illustrations and well-researched, easy-to-follow text, it gives kids an overview of this important topic and its effects on the rest of the planet. From the weather and ocean currents to sea levels and wildlife, it\u2019ll teach your kid about life on Antarctica, and how protecting it means protecting our planet. It\u2019s a great resource for budding science lovers, and an important read for the rest of us. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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William Still and His Freedom Stories<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Don Tate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 6-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This remarkable picture book biography follows William Still, known as Father of the Underground Railroad. It starts when his parents are forced to escape slavery without two of their children. He then grows up to work for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, raising money, as well as helping to rescue and assist slaves traveling north. Reunited with his brother Peter after recognizing a familiar family story, he devotes his life to collecting other such stories to reunite other families. With powerful storytelling and emotionally evocative illustrations, this is an inspiring look at the life of one of Civil Rights history\u2019s most prominent African American heroes. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Candace Fleming

Illustrated by: Eric Rohmann<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 7-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using stunningly detailed imagery and poetic language, this award-winning picture book details the life cycle of \u201cApis\u201d the honeybee. On day one, Apis emerges as a tiny honeybee and sets to work serving the hive. Apis takes care of larvae in the nursery, creates wax combs to house honey, transfers pollen and eventually grows to a point where she can finally leave the hive. She branches out and becomes an adventurer bee where she can gather nectar to make the honey. Your kid will delight in learning about this bee species through Apis\u2019s experiences in this great book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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National Geographic Kids: My Best Friend is a Dolphin<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Moira Rose Donohue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 7-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Did you know dolphins can use tools? Or that some can jump as high as 15 feet? Let your aspiring marine biologist dive into a trove of fun, often heartwarming accounts involving these playful toothed whales. With vibrant photography and facts sprinkled throughout, your kid will enjoy true tales of the funny, heroic and talented dolphins and their friendships in this fascinating chapter book. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Famous Spy Missions<\/strong><\/a> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Deanna Caswell <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>7-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Few themes are more thrilling to young readers than a good spy fantasy. And this nonfiction STEM journey will teach them about some of the most famous spy missions of all time. With humorous comic-book style illustrations, it\u2019ll fill them in on the details behind top-secret missions, including underwater wire tap networks, a fake movie production company and events that inspired several James Bond movies. Plus they\u2019ll learn a lot about historic figures and events along the way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Comics: Easy as ABC (TOON Graphics)<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Ivan Brunetti <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 8-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is your kid into comics? Whether interested as a hobby or future career, this informative, interactive guide will teach them everything they need to get started in the world of cartooning. From doodling and conveying emotion to drawing and lettering, it\u2019ll help them complete their very own comic. It even offers tips for educators and parents for picking and reading comics with kids, and for using them to build vocabulary. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Awesome, Disgusting, Unusual Facts about the Human Body<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Eric Braun <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 8-11<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Did you know that the liver has 500 jobs? Or that the heart is an actual battery with its own electrical supply? The human brain even makes enough electricity to power a lightbulb. These are just a few incredible tidbits your child will discover in this kid-friendly anatomy book. With hilariously icky illustrations and mind-blowing facts, this creative volume will captivate you just as much as your kid. And if they like this, they\u2019ll love the Epic Originals book \u201cTruth Sleuth: Science<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rebel with a Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Kathleen V. Kudlinski<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Rudy Faber<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 8-11<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the American Revolution rages on, 14-year-old Dicey Langston overhears that a ferocious Loyalist leader known as Bloody Bill is heading straight toward her brothers\u2019 camp. This gripping true story follows a real-life heroine as she risks her life to save countless others. The colorful illustrations and engaging narration make this a suspenseful read as well as a little-known account of American history. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Big Ideas That Changed the World No. 2: Machines That Think!<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Don Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this installment of the hit series exploring history\u2019s most pivotal advancements, your kid can learn about about computing. Starting with the world\u2019s first calculators in ancient times, it explores the journey of computer programming from simple machines to the advent of AI, guiding spaceships to the moon and the invention of smartphones. Your kid will also learn about key figures such as Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing and Bill Gates. With easy-to-understand narration and engaging graphic novel-style imagery, this book is a testament to the power of creativity, discovery and ingenuity over time. If your kid likes this, “Big Ideas That Changed the World No. 1: Rocket to the Moon!<\/a>” is also available on Epic. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone<\/a> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Alice Bri\u00e8re-Haquet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Bruno Liance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages: <\/strong>8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This gorgeous picture-book biography follows Nina Simone, also known as the High Priestess of Soul. Known for her eclectic style combining gospel, pop and classical music, she was one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. But more than that, she was an activist. With evocative black-and-white illustrations and melodic prose, this books teaches kids about her career, her struggles as a Black woman and her role in the Civil Rights Movement. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rosie: A Detroit Herstory<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By: Bailey Sisoy Isgro<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 8-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Give your kid a comprehensive look at this important period with this dynamic rhyming book. It tells the story of women workers during World War II, when military enlistment left male workers in short supply in occupations traditionally occupied by men. Across America, hundreds of thousands of women known as \u201cRosies\u201d began operating machinery and working on assembly lines to produce ships, tanks, ammunition, uniforms and more. This book is an ode to their skill, bravery, patriotism and longterm contributions to not just the war effort, but women\u2019s rights. It also includes a timeline and a glossary to help kids with some of the more complex concepts. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Roots of Rap<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrated by: Frank Morrison<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ages:<\/strong> 5-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump into music history with \u201cThe Roots of Rap!\u201d This fun nonfiction picture book captures how rap and hip-hop originated from folktales, spirituals and poetry. It\u2019ll show your kid how the fresh sounds of jazz, the showmanship of James Brown, the birth of graffiti art and break dancing all led to music that\u2019s popular today. Written by award-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford, this book\u2019s captivating rhythm mirrors the styles of rap, hip-hop and R&B. It oozes cool vibes, and feels more like entertainment than learning to even the most reluctant readers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Other Recommendations <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more nonfiction books for 4th graders? Here are a few of our favorite books off our platform, all available on Amazon<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n