Nine year olds are firmly in chapter book reading territory and typically favor shorter, sparsely illustrated options. For this reason, the best books for 9 year olds feature younger characters and more whimsical, but realistic storytelling. That’s what you’ll find on today’s list! These books are all charming, sweet, and will appeal to a wide range of 9 year olds.
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20 Wonderful Books for 9 Year Olds
Here are 20 best books for 9 year olds:
Far Out!
Published: April 18, 2023
When a meteorite goes missing in MJ’s town just before the First Annual Come on Down Day, her grandmother is the prime suspect. Now, it’s up to MJ and her best friend to solve the mystery and find the real thief. This historical fiction book is set in 1964 and is funny, quirky, and unexpectedly moving. Perfect for kids who love all things mystery and aliens.
Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair
Published: March 7, 2023
Brothers Lincoln and Hudson Dupré have active imaginations and are constantly pretending to be on one adventure or another — and destroying their home in the process. Then their parents get an experienced babysitter who manages to wrangle both boys with unconventional method — much to their dismay. They hatch a plot to get rid of her, but the results are surprising.
This is a graphic novel-prose hybrid with the brothers’ imaginations in panels and the real story as plain text with illustrations. Hand these to kids who love funny graphic novels.
The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing
Published: January 17, 2023
Ten-year-old Dottie Bing has many questions. But especially about her grandpa Walter who’s Ima’s (her grandma’s) ashes about in a can. Grandpa Walter keeps talking to the can and acts differently than he used to. So Dottie’s parents ask him to move in with them — into Dottie’s room.
Dottie wants Grandpa to leave and thinks that if she and her friend Sam build a treehouse, it’ll make Grandpa happy, which will mean he can move back home. But she learns that grief is unpredictable. This is a really quirky story with many funny moments and some sad parts too.
Jacky Haha (book 1)
Published: March 21, 2016
With her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation—even when she really, really shouldn’t—twelve-year-old Jacky Ha-Ha loves to make people laugh. And cracking wise helps distract her from thinking about not-so-funny things in her life, like her mom serving in a dangerous, faraway war, and a dad who’s hardly ever home.
But no matter how much fun Jacky has, she can’t seem to escape her worries. So one starlit night, she makes a promise to keep her family together…even if she has to give up the one thing that makes her happy. But can she stop being Jacky Ha-Ha, if that’s who she really is?
Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week
Published: April 18, 2023
When Rani moves into Emily’s apartment building, with absolutely no one but her dog Otto, Emily is intrigued. Rani doesn’t just break the rules. Most of the time, she doesn’t seem to know the rules exist. For steady and orderly Emily, Rani’s approach to life feels impossible . . . and more than a little irresistible. But is there a place for her in Rani’s world? And should she find a way to make space for Rani in her own?
Birdie’s Billions
Published: December 14, 2021
Birdie Loggerman’s life becomes complicated when she finds half a million dollars — cash — in an abandoned house. Her mom is a cleaner currently out of work because Birdie’s damaged property in her last client’s house. And Birdie’s best friend’s mother views her with disdain because she’s one of the poorer kids living in their highbrow area.
So when Birdie finds all this money (she’s been praying for, no less), should she keep it? If you like engaging realistic fiction with protagonists who don’t always do the right things, you’ll enjoy this one.
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
Published: January 1, 1974
Margaret Simon has just moved from New York City to Connecticut and is dealing with making new friends, puberty, and understanding religion. Margaret is such a heartwarming character and some readers will relate to her yearning for a relationship with God.
Blume lovingly captures the desire to grow up (fast) and belong amongst one’s peers. I was quite surprised by the number of taboo topics this features in under 200 pages (from periods to first kisses to religious issues). It’s a classic that holds up wonderfully even after decades.
The Many Fortunes of Maya
Published: January 24, 2023
Maya enjoys playing soccer, but especially so because it makes her sports-obsessed dad happy. She’s convinced herself that to be a great soccer player and be picked by a junior league, she needs to stop focusing on the other thing she loves (but won’t admit to loving as much): playing her flute.
But when her parents tell her they’re separating and friendship with her bestie starts to evolve with the addition of a third friend, Maya begins to feel really lost and it’s tough to figure out what she wants. Thankfully, she has a trusty wheel of fortunes she made from fortune cookie fortunes she’s collected over time.
This is a great addition to stories about families experiencing parental separation, kids trying to find their passions, and separating one’s goals from external validation.
Playing the Cards You’re Dealt
Published: October 5, 2021
Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin is finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. Then Ant’s best friend gets grounded, and he’s forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isn’t exactly who he has in mind. But she’s smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley — and keep his plans a secret.
Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart…
The Big Sting
Published: February 7, 2023
Leo is not a risk-taker; he prefers to adventure through the pages of his books. So when his parents leave him and his little sister with their grouchy grandfather, Leo is disturbed. It gets worse when Grandpa discovers that their late grandma’s bee hives have been stolen and takes both kids on a road trip to track down the thief. This was a fun story set in Canada and I loved seeing Leo discover how brave he can be. Lots of funny moments and several tender moments. This is great for younger kids who love mysteries and gentle adventures.
The Many Masks of Andy Zhou
Published: June 6, 2023
Andy Zhou is used to being what people need him to be: the good kid for his parents and now grandparents visiting from Shanghai, or the helpful sidekick to his best friend Cindy’s rebellious plans and schemes.
So when Cindy decides they should try out for Movement at school on the first day of sixth grade, how can Andy say no? But between feeling out of place with the dancers, being hassled by his new science partner Jameel, and sensing tension between his dad and grandfather, Andy feels all kinds of weird.
Then, over anime, Hi-Chews, and Andy’s lizard-inspired artwork, things shift between him and Jameel, opening up new doors—and also new complications.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
(7 books in series)
Published: September 4, 2018
The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.
And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. Who doesn’t love this series? If your kids still haven’t met the Vanderbeekers, it’s time!
Mexikid
Published: August 1, 2023
Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough!
Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.
Leeva at Last
Published: March 7, 2023
Leeva has been kept indoors and put to work by her famous parents. Her mom is the Mayor, and her dad is the Treasurer. They both only care about fame and money, respectively, but not about their daughter or townspeople. They don’t even send her to school, and Leeva learns new words from a vocabulary section of the newspaper and teaches herself to read. But when Leeva finds her way to the town library one day, her eyes are opened to the world around her, and she finds the answer to a question that’s been on her mind forever: “What are people for?”
This feels like a ready-made childhood classic in the vein of Matilda, Ramona, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Younger readers will be delighted by the illustrations and the sweet protagonist.
Ellie’s Deli: Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup
Published: September 5, 2023
Eleven-year-old Ellie is feisty, determined, and a little bit anxious. She considers Lukshen Deli part of the family—after all, it’s been around for four generations, ever since her great-grandmother opened it. Ellie is determined to prove that old fashioned Jewish delis can get with the times—but if her plan doesn’t work, the deli will be sold for good. This heartwarming book for 9 year olds has lovely illustrations and is just a joy to read. Thrilled to hear it will be a series!
Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish
Published: September 20, 2022
Meet Airi Sano. After spending her entire childhood moving from one military base to another, she’s excited to be settling down for the long-term in Hawai’i. She’s less excited about her new teacher, who’s determined to make Airi like school. But she’s got a plan: prank her teacher so hard that she gives up on even trying to get Airi to do any work—especially any reading.
But Mrs. Ashton won’t give up, no matter what Airi does. Airi will need the help of her new classmates—who might even be her new friends—to get Mrs. Ashton to crack. It’s time . . . for a prank war! Hand to fans of Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries!
Sort of Super
Published: March 22. 2022
Eleven-year-old Wyatt Flynn had something amazing happen to him: he got superpowers! Good ones too, like super-flight, super-strength, and super-speed. The only problem? Wyatt got his superpowers totally by mistake, and his dad—who’s been overprotective since Wyatt’s mom disappeared—thinks he’s too young for them and worries what would happen if everyone found out. So he makes Wyatt hide his powers.
Keeping such a huge secret from his best friends Beto and Nara is bad enough, but not being able to use his new abilities to defend them from the biggest bully at school makes Wyatt feel useless and frustrated. But his little sister thinks the good his powers could do is more important than following Dad’s rules. Slowly, the two of them become a dynamic crime-fighting duo right under their dad’s nose.
Lying to his dad isn’t much easier than lying to his friends. But Wyatt might be able to make a real difference in the community…and maybe even find Mom. That makes it all worth it—right?
Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream
Published: April 25, 2023
Lolo is stuck in summer school with a teacher who is out to get her while her family is still reeling from her grandfather’s death. Even his dog is mourning, howling outside all night and every night. Finally, lovable old Hank is sent to a farm across the lake that takes foster dogs.
And it’s all Lolo’s fault.
Lolo knows she has to get Hank back. In a tippy canoe, Lolo crosses the almost-dried-out lake to steal her dog back. But she runs into Noah, a student in her summer school class and Hank’s new owner—and he loves Hank as much as she does.
As Lolo’s plan unravels and her uneasy alliance with Noah grows into a friendship, the question of what’s best for Hank becomes muddier. Can Lolo manage to do the right thing—for once?
The Fifth Quarter
Published: May 25, 2021
Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the real game starts, known as the fifth quarter, where the not-so-good kids play and the points don’t count. That doesn’t matter to Lori though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out-of-place in her daily life. I loved this graphic novel because it’s fast-paced, inspiring, and features lovely illustrations.
Grounded
Published: May 29, 2023
When a thunderstorm grounds all flights following a huge Muslim convention, four unlikely kids are thrown together. Feek is stuck babysitting his younger sister, but he’d rather be writing a poem that’s good enough for his dad, a famous poet and rapper. Hanna is intent on finding a lost cat in the airport—and also on avoiding a conversation with her dad about him possibly remarrying.
Sami is struggling with his anxiety and worried that he’ll miss the karate tournament that he’s trained so hard for. And Nora has to deal with the pressure of being the daughter of a prominent congresswoman, when all she really wants to do is make fun NokNok videos. These kids don’t seem to have much in common—yet. Much like You Are Here, this one was one of my favorite reads this year.
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There they are: 20 of the best books for 9 year olds! Which of these books have you read and loved? What did I miss?
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