Best Books for 9 Year Old Children
When a child discovers a book that quickly becomes a favorite, it piques what is usually a lifelong interest in reading. The top 10 books for 9 year olds feed this interest with a diverse list of offerings that feature magic, adventure, humor, self-esteem tips, and so much more.
Give your 9 year old a guide to life courtesy of Dr. Seuss, or the beautifully-illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Introduce your child to Percy Jackson, the demigod son of Poseidon who inherited his father’s way with water and has adventure after adventure with his fellow half mortals. Provide the young one with the story of Pax, a fox cub rescued by a little boy who eventually tries to return the animal to the wild…and realizes his mistake amidst a worn-torn country. The top 10 books for 9 year olds also includes a fantastic book about body confidence ideal for young girls among other treasures that improve children’s vocabulary and ability to focus.
Enjoy this list with your child…and have fun!
What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best books for children 9 years of age for the spring and summer months of 2017 was created by real moms and educators who enjoyed these books themselves or taught them in class. Numerous types and themes of books are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.
For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality book options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Also note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.
Post Updated: April 9th, 2017
What’s Here:
1. The Trials of Apollo, Book 1: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
2. The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling
4. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
5. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
6. Demigods & Magicians: Percy and Annabeth Meet the Kanes by Rick Riordan
7. The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition by Valorie Schaefer
8. Seuss-isms! A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out…and Those Already on Their Way by Dr. Seuss
9. Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
10. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Top 10 Books for 9 Year Olds:
1. The Trials of Apollo, Book 1: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
The Trials of Apollo, Book 1: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan hits first place among the top 10 books for 9 year olds in 2017.
Cast to Earth from Olympus, the once-great god Apollo has angered his father, Zeus, to the point of banishment. Placed into the form of a normal teenage boy, this deity hones his survival instincts in the modern world of New York City. Rick Riordan also authored the Percy Jackson series, so if your kiddo loves some Percy, he or she will love this retelling of the sun god.
Will Apollo regain his father’s favor? Will he survive in the modern world? Will he escape the many monsters and gods who want him, well, not alive? Your youngling will have to read this book to find out! This is a perfect story for any 9 year old obsessed with the Greek gods.
2. The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Marking second place among the 10 best books for nine year old kids this year – The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
Timeline: World War II. Ada is a nine-year-old sweetheart with a twisted foot and an ashamed, cruel mother. She has never left the comforts, or confines, of her one-bedroom apartment. One night, she sneaks out to join her brother in London, where a new adventure begins. A heart-wrenching yet hopeful story, Bradley won the Newbery Honor Book award among many other accolades for this tale of courage and love.
“Achingly lovely . . . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada’s stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories.”—The Wall Street Journal
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Lovin’ this one! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling is my personal favorite of nine year olds’ top books for 2017.
I am so in love with the Harry Potter series. I remember reading the first book when I was a teenager, and that actually began my love for chapter books. The first one introduces us to Harry Potter, his friends, mentors, enemies, and magic. This edition is beautifully, colorfully illustrated. It is ideal for the kiddo who still loves pictures in books, especially since these illustrations provide a wonderful introduction to the world of Harry Potter. Harry finds out he’s a wizard, makes new friends, discovers the truth about his parents’ deaths, and saves his magical school, Hogwarts, from certain doom. It is Harry’s first adventure, and one well worth reading.
4. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson also makes its place on the list.
Astrid is a 12-year-old wild child who does absolutely everything with her adventurous best friend, Nicole. Unfortunately, when Nicole makes new friends at summer camp, Astrid feels left out, and the two drift apart. To salve the hurt, Astrid discovers derby camp, and consequently discover her love of competitive roller-skating.
The perfect book for your little roller skater, the story features Astrid struggling to stay in contact with Nicole (who is at dance camp), trying to keep up with the older girls, and making new friends. This outstanding book is another Newbury Award winner.
5. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
A returning favorite among top picks in nine year old kids’ books – Wonder by R. J. Palacio.
August was born with a facial deformity, and he worries about being accepted. Wonder is a beautiful tale that covers bullying, difference, acceptance, and mainstream beliefs. In other words, this book is about perspective, and how everyone is different in their own ways—whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological.
This is a perfect book for teaching your children about acceptance and tolerance, regardless of physical appearance. If you have heard of the Choose Kind movement, it was inspired by this book! How cool is that? See what more than 6 million people have already discovered–Wonder is indeed a wonder.
6. Demigods & Magicians: Percy and Annabeth Meet the Kanes by Rick Riordan
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Hitting 6th place on the list – Demigods & Magicians: Percy and Annabeth Meet the Kanes by Rick Riordan.
Another Rick Riordan must-read. This book combines two series from the author—the Percy Jackson series and the Kane series. Nice, right? So, basically Egyptian lore meets Greek mythology—and it’s awesome. With Annabeth in tow, the quartet teams up to battle it out with odd creatures who seek their mutual destruction.
As with our first pick, if your child is a Percy Jackson fan, he or she will adore this fast-paced, exciting tale that blends gods and monsters from two different worlds into one amazing story. Percy and Annabeth meet Carter and Sadie Kane for the first time…and discover they have more in common with their fellow heroes than their originally realized.
7. The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition by Valorie Schaefer
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Another returning top book for 9 year old girls – The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition by Valorie Schaefer.
When little girls hit those tween years, their bodies start developing rapidly, leaving many of them shaking their heads, crossing their arms, and wishing for immediate invisibility. This book lessens their embarrassment and stress with advice, tips, and facts about hygiene, puberty, and personal care. Totally a girl power go-to! It’s a great book that teaches young girls how their fellow females go through the same thing. The Care and Keeping of You will help them feel comfortable in their own skin and understand that what they are going through is normal. There’s even a second book for girls who get their personal care basics down and are ready to learn more!
8. Seuss-isms! A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out…and Those Already on Their Way by Dr. Seuss
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Another one of my personal favorites on the list – Seuss-isms! A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out…and Those Already on Their Way by Dr. Seuss also tops the nine year old boys’ and girls’ books for 2017.
Dr. Seuss is remembered for his silly creatures, funky poems, and quirky rhymes, but those stories hid important life lessons in plain sight. This great collection features classic quotes and odd, but worthwhile, life advice from the best Seuss books. It’s a wonderful gift for your little Dr. Seuss fan, and one he or she will likely cherish for a long, long time. Heck, it might even get passed to the next generation (eventually haha) because the advice it provides is so gosh-darn timeless!
If you love the good doctor, you will love this book…and so will your little ‘uns.
9. Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
Next up on the list – Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott.
Dear kiddos, these jokes are all for you. There are hundreds of laugh-out-loud knee-slappers in this book—ones that I’m sure parents will hear all about. For example, “who keeps the ocean clean?” The mermaid, of course. There are over 100 pages with four jokes per page in different categories.
This book will make your children laugh…if not guffaw! Some jokes are funnier than others, but hey, that’s to be expected, right? Who knows, your children may decide they can write better jokes!
10. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices
The final item on this year’s list of the top ten books for nine year old kids – Pax by Sara Pennypacker.
Pax was an orphaned kit (baby fox) when little Peter rescued him and raised him. Now full-grown with a friendship and bond unlike any other, Peter is forced to return Pax to the wild. When Peter realizes his mistake, he strikes out during war-times to find his animal companion again. Yet Peter isn’t the only one having the adventure of a lifetime, as Pax encounters all kinds of things while patiently for his best friend.
A story of love, courage, and connection, Pax is a powerful story that makes a great addition to any children’s library. Don’t be surprised if your kiddos want to read the book over and over!