If you’re looking for some great books to read with your kids, then these are the 11 must-read titles. We’ve included books from every genre, so there should be something for every 9 year old! These are all award-winning popular authors who will have your child engaged and enthralled in their story today – you won’t regret picking one of them up today.
With books, children can explore new worlds and understand their own feelings. You might be stuck with the task of finding your 9-year old child’s next books to read! Fortunately, there are so many great books for kids out there that will satisfy any 9 year old child’s need for adventure while also providing them with a sense of personal growth. Below I’ve compiled an assortment of my kids favorites so you don’t get lost among piles and stacks on shelves at every bookstore near you.
If you have any other suggestions please share in the comments below! ( Note : Book covers and Book titles are Amazon affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase )
The War That Saved My Life
By Bradley, Kimberley Brubaker
The war that saved my life is about a girl named Ada who has a clubfoot and finds it difficult to walk. The novel is set in Britain during World War II, and when Ada sees an opportunity to flee her home ( where she is mistreated ), she seizes it. Ada and her younger brother Jamie then live with a woman named Susan Smith, who was forced to take them in, so they do not have a close relationship. Will the stress of wartime, however, assist in resolving this? The books is amusing while also depicting how difficult life was during World War II.
Half a World Away
By Cynthia Kadohata
Half a World Away tells the story of Jacob, an adopted boy who is fascinated with electricity. He believes he was adopted because his mother disliked him, and he now believes his adoptive parents dislike him as well, because they want to adopt another child from Kazakhstan, half a world away. This book has lot of funny bits, but it also reveals some of the challenges an adopted child faces, making it a great book to read.
The Wednesday Wars
By Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood, the protagonist of The Wednesday Wars, is aware that his teacher despises him. He feels this because he has to sit with her every Wednesday while everyone else leaves and during that time she makes him read Shakespeare. What might have gone worse? The book then goes through their “wars” every Wednesday, and it takes place during the Vietnam War. This book is really amusing and enjoyable to read; it also depicts how people felt during the Vietnam War.
Wonderstruck
By Brian Selznick
The story of Wonderstruck revolves around a boy named Ben and a girl named Rose. The two stores are distinct, with Ben’s told in words and Rose’s in pictures. Ben’s mother died, and he never met his father, but when he discovers a key to his father’s identity in his mother’s home, he travels to New York to try to solve the mystery. Rose is a huge fan of an actress and has a scrapbook entirely devoted to her. But when she sees an intriguing headline in the newspaper, she dashes off to investigate. These two stories take place 50 years apart and are related in an unexpected way. If you want to read a good mystery novel, this is the book for you.
The Door in the Alley
By Adrienne Kress
This is the story of Sebastian, an uninquisitive young man who becomes embroiled in a series of adventures. It all begins when he discovers a mysterious door with the words “The Explorer’s Society” and he can’t stop thinking what it means. All of these thought leads him into an adventure involving missing people, popular explorers, a young girl, and a pig with a teeny hat. This is a hilarious story that is also part of a three book collection.
“I Funny” Book Series
By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
The I Funny Book Series follows Jamie Grimm, a middle-schooler who aspires to be a stand up comedian. However, there is one slight snag. Jamie may be in a wheelchair, but he is still a really funny guy. Jamie enters the Planet’s Funniest Kid Competition after hearing about it from his uncle, Will Jamie be able to rise through the ranks and be crowned the World’s Funniest Child ? The series consists of six books, each of which is hilarious.
The “My Life” SERIES
By Janet Tashjian
Derek Fallon’s My Life as a Book is set during the summer, and he is looking forward to having a great time. But when his fun gets a bit too out of control and he’s sent to Learning Camp. he thinks it’s the worst summer ever. But that thinking doesn’t last long, because he quickly hears of a family mystery that concerns him, and what he wants to do is learn about it. Can Derek solve the mystery to save his summer. Find out by reading the hilarious beginning to the My Life series.
Pax
By Sarah, Pennypacker
Pax is the story of a 12 year old boy and his pet fox who become entangled in an increasingly dystopian nightmare. It starts with a betrayal when the boy’s father forces him to leave the fox and then explains the two friends quest to locate each other and make things right. A lot of terrible things happen, from the boy’s mother death years ago to an insane senseless war that ruins everything in its way. However, the story, set in an unnamed world, often conveys powerful positive messages about understanding yourself, doing what you know to be right, and doing your best to get things right if you’ve done anything wrong.
“Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” Book SERIES
By Chris Grabeinstein
It’s a wonderful story about libraries and books and what makes them so unique. Add friendship, teamwork and challenge to the mix and you’ve got an engaging book in the Lemoncello series. The story revolves around a group of eleven-year-old children who compete to solve puzzles and seek clues in order to find a way out of the library. The kid Kyle is determined to be at the town’s new library as he discovers that the world’s most prolific game designer, Luigi Lemoncello, has planned it and is hosting an invitation only lock-in on opening night ! But going into the library isn’t the difficult park, it’s getting out that is. And as morning arrives, the doors remain shut. Kyle and the other kids must decipher every clue and solve every puzzle in order to locate the elusive escape path ! This book is undoubtedly going to hold your kids interest.
A Dog Called Homeless
By Lean, Sarah
In this heartbreaking story, a young girl named Cally Fisher stops speaking in the face of a devastating tragedy. No one believes her when she claims to have seen her dead mother, so she stops talking. The only other living soul who witnesses Cally’s mother appearance is a mysterious wolfhound who always seems to be there when her mom appears. How will Cally reassure someone that her mother is still alive ? How will she persuade her father that the big silver gray wolfhound is their only remaining link with her? Finally, she seeks solace and breaks her silence when she befriends an 11 year deaf boy. And finds a way to express her pain and desires. This story is really a lesson in the strength of love and loss. It demonstrates that learning to listen is more critical than what is said. It is a brilliant book for someone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Wonder
By Palacio, R. J.
Auggie Pullman, who has a horrific facial abnormality, is the protagonist of the book Wonder. The story begins with his family’s attempts to eventually transition him from home schooling to a traditional middle school. Auggie has not been unable to attend traditional school due to time spent recovering from multiple surgeries. The story is told from several characters viewpoints, starting with Auggie, who reveals how he has become used to people’s surprised expressions when they see him. The parents are concerned about how other students with treat him and whether he will ever have genuine friends. The book emphasizes the importance of always being kind to everyone. As you never know how much a kind gesture would mean to anyone else.
Which books do you think your kids will choose to read next?
For more book suggestions, check out these suggestions for various age groups
- Best Books for Kindergarten
- Books for 1st and 2nd Graders
- Best Chapter Books for 3rd Grader
- Books on Kindness
- Books for Mother’s Day
We appreciate your sharing this post if you find the book selection worthwhile.

Happy Reading !
We loved Wonder! I’ll have to check out some of the others
I actually read Wonder as an adult and I absolutely loved it!! I would highly recommend it, I couldn’t put it down 🙂
That’s a great list of books! Have to check some of them out for my niece and nephew.
Thank you !
I will check these out for sure for my kids and possibly add some to our homeschool book list. Thank you for sharing
Thanks. I hope you and your children enjoy these book titles as much as we did.