• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Book Club
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • HOLIDAYS
  • BOOK CLUB
  • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • HOLIDAYS
    • BOOK CLUB
    • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » Reading with Kids

    Read Aloud Books for 9-Year-Olds

    Published: Aug 5, 2019 · Modified: Oct 10, 2021 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

    18.0K shares
    • Share
    • Email Friend!

    Finding read aloud books for 9-year-olds when you've got older (or younger) kids in the house can be a challenge. These chapter books are great for whole families to read together.

    A row of great read aloud books are on the living room mantle.

    I have always read out loud to my kids. There was never a time we didn't have some book or other in the rotation. We sometimes struggled to find titles that appealed to both girls at the same time when they were at different stages, but we always made it work.

    That was when I could pick books just based on what THEY would like to hear, not necessarily what my HUSBAND could tolerate sitting through.

    When we made the decision to read aloud books together as a whole family last year, I knew I had to be careful to pick books that every single member of the family would enjoy if I was going to keep Tim involved with the effort.

    I assumed this meant I had to pick all adventure-style books, but he surprised me by requesting the Little House on the Prairie series after a trip to his family reunion back in Minnesota. 

    After a year of read-aloud family time, I want to share the books that made our reading list. Some were perfect hits all around, some fell a little bit short for Tim but were still fun enough to keep him involved with our read aloud project. The girls and I loved each of these enough that I feel perfectly confident in recommending them to you and your family.

    Though I have two daughters, I am fairly certain all the read aloud books on this list would appeal to boys as well. You'll have to let me know which ones are your family's favorites!

    Read aloud books your 9-year-old will LOVE (and so will you!) These phenomenal chapter books are perfect for reading together as a family with mixed ages of kids.

    Read-Aloud Books 9-year-olds Love

    1. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder: 

    This book absolutely surprised me. I remember loving the series as a child myself, but when Tim specifically requested it for one of our first books as a family I was shocked. He loved stopping the story to pull up more information on some of the historical references from the book on his phone. We showed the kids photos of different tools, people, and landmarks mentioned in the tale and it was so fun to see the kids' reactions to the realities of pioneer life. 

    We immediately jumped into Little House on the Prairie right after and it was just as big of a hit. 

    Tim's Rating: 5 stars
    The rest of us: 5 stars

    Buy the Book: I highly recommend this full-color edition here.

    Little House in the Big Woods is one of several read aloud books 9 year olds will love (and so will you)

    2. Frindle by Andrew Clement:

    This short and easy read might be one of my favorites from the whole year. I don't usually recommend books that make me cry, that's not a feeling I enjoy. But the ending of this one was so sweet, I had a hard time reading it out loud over the lump in my throat. It is the perfect book for back to school season or any time you need an easy win with a read aloud book for your family.

    Tim's Rating: 5 stars
    The rest of us: 5 stars

    Buy the Book: Get your copy here.

    Read-aloud books your entire family will love reading together.

    3. Henry and the Chalk Dragon by Jennifer Trafton:

    I was sure Tim would love this book but in the end, I think it was just a little too fantastical for him. However, the girls and I loved it and I have several quotes highlighted in my Kindle version. Anyone who appreciates the importance of imagination and creativity is sure to find this a very meaningful story. I know that as a dad in a house full of girls, Tim definitely appreciated that the hero of the story is a young boy. We made several connections to his childhood while we read the book together.

    Tim's Rating: 3.5 stars
    The rest of us: 5 stars

    Buy the Book: We read it on Kindle because it is free with Kindle Unlimited right now.

    Read aloud books your 9 year old will love (and so will you!)

    4. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate di Camillo:

    We attempted this story as an audiobook on a family road trip a few years ago when Little Pea was still quite small. The narrator's voice brought such energy to the tale that it actually scared the girls and we had to turn it off. Now at ages 9 & 12, I'm certain the audio version is going to be just fine and we plan to listen to it on a road trip this week. I'll check back with our ratings when we're done but I feel confident recommending it just from the snippet we previewed already!

    Related: 12 best audiobooks for families on road trips

    Tim's Rating: TBD
    The rest of us: TBD

    Buy the Book: Get your copy here.

    Tumtum & Nutmeg is one of several Read-Aloud Books 9 year olds love (and you will too!)

    5. Tumtum & Nutmeg -- Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn:

    I've been reading this sweet book to Little Pea for some special mommy time. All year, we had 30 minutes just to ourselves in the morning after the Peanut was off to middle school and Tim was already at work. Tumtum and Nutmeg are a married pair of mice that secretly care for the family who's house they live in. The adventures they have involve real, mortal danger and kept both of us eager to find out what happens. 

    Tim's Rating: He hasn't heard it, but I'm guessing he'd give it 3 stars.
    Little Pea & Me: 4.5 stars

    Buy the Book: There are several different versions of the book, our copy has the first 3 books in 1. Get a copy right here.

    Read-aloud books 9 year olds love (and so will you!)

    6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart:

    This was one of the read aloud books I read to the Peanut 4 years ago and we loved it. I've got the book on our pile of things to read next as a family and am hoping to introduce it to Tim & Little Pea this fall. It is a fun mystery book featuring 4 brilliant kids and plenty of evil plot and adventure. I think Tim is going to love it.

    Tim's Rating: I'm hoping at least a 4!
    The Peanut & me: 5 stars

    Buy the Book: Man I'm a sucker for a hardcover book. This one is so worth it. Get a copy here.

    The Search for Delicious is one of the many read aloud books 9 year olds will love (and so will you!)

    7. The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbit:

    This is one of our current read aloud books. Don't be fooled by the cover, this isn't a Little Mermaid tale. Sidenote: Our family has been working our way through the Marvel movies this summer, one evening they were eager to watch the next movie on our list but I was feeling the pull to read together. We compromised and agreed to read just one chapter before the movie started and I pulled this book off the shelf. One chapter turned into three before we put the book down. Everyone was shocked at how much they enjoyed the start.

    If it is good enough to compete with a Marvel movie, I feel confident sharing it even if we haven't finished. I'll circle back with our scores when we're done.

    Tim's Rating: TBD
    The rest of us: TBD

    Buy the Book: Get your copy here.

    8. The Vanderbeekers of 141st St. by Karina Yan Glaser:

    St. Nick brought us this book last December and we read it through the Christmas season. The girls and I enjoyed it very much, but it was far too slow for Tim. It is a sweet family drama that takes place in New York at Christmastime. Not a lot of adventure or action, but charming children characters that my girls and I loved.

    Tim's Rating: 3 stars
    The rest of us: 4.5 stars

    Buy the Book: St. Nick brought us this pretty hardcover, but it is now available in paperback, too. Get your copy here.

    Read Aloud Books your 9-year-old will love (and so will you!) These fun chapter books for families to read together will make wonderful memories for parents and their kids.

    More Great Read Aloud Books

    Don't miss some of our other favorite book lists:

    • Two girls show the backs of their DIY book quotes t-shirts.
      29 Classic Children's Book Quotes
    • A photo collage shows several books turned into movies.
      18 Books to Movies to Enjoy with Your Daughter
    • The photo collage shows the covers of several audiobooks for families.
      14 Best Audiobooks for Families
    • A photo collage of book covers that are good to read aloud to 8 year olds.
      Read Aloud Books Your 8-Year-Old Won't Be Able to Put Down

    More Reading with Kids

    • A girl lays on a bed reading a book.
      You Want Smart Kids but Are You Doing This?
    • A stack of Halloween books with a pumpkin on top.
      8 Halloween Movies Based on Books {Not Too Scary}
    • A photo collage shows several best classic books for kids.
      18 Classic Books for Kids Every Home Needs
    • A photo collage shows several popular chapter books for girls.
      10 Essential Chapter Books for Girls

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Terry

      March 17, 2021 at 6:13 pm

      I know you said you don’t like tear jerkers, but THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is a must read! The story is told by the gorilla and is loosely based on a real primates life.

      Reply
    2. Sally

      August 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      You should add The Underneath and True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp. My kids loved those. Read with different voices

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

    More about me →

    What's Trending Now

    • A photo collage shows the variety of recipes that can be made in a bread maker.
      50 Best Bread Machine Recipes
    • A blue baking dish filled with mac and cheese with bread crumb topping. A serving spoon has removed a portion to show the creamy elbow noodles.
      Make Ahead Mac and Cheese
    • An airfryer basket has 7 seasoned chicken tenderloins golden brown and cooked.
      Healthy Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
    • Two salmon filets are surrounded by fresh green beans in an air fryer basket.
      How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

    Popular

    • A freezer-friendly metal pan holds an 8x8-inch apple crisp with crumble topping.
      Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp
    • A stack of the best books for book club in 2023
      Best Book Club Picks 2023
    • A taco salad made with mini frozen tacos.
      10-minute Trader Joe's Meals
    • A young kid's hand is holding a homemade pizza lunchable.
      30 School Lunch Ideas for Kids
    • A collage of easy dinners for busy nights.
      30 Quick Dinners for Busy Nights
    • A photo collages shows several easy dinner ideas kids could make.
      Easy Dinner Ideas for Yo-Yo Nights {You're On Your Own!}
    • A meal train dinner kit featuring supplies for tacos sits in an aluminum tray for delivery.
      30 Clever Meal Train Ideas with Recipes
    • Harry Potter themed snacks are in a platter with a witch hat sitting next to an open copy of a Harry Potter book.
      21 Harry Potter Snacks for Movie Night

    Footer

    As Seen On

    The Taste of Home Logo
    The Pioneer Woman Logo
    The Country Living Logo
    The Buzzfeed logo
    The Good Housekeeping Logo

    About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Contact
    Privacy Policy
    Disclaimer

    Favorites

    Bread Recipes
    Soup Recipes
    Quick Dinner Recipes
    Harry Potter Fan Club
    Reading with Kids

    Holidays

    Easter Recipes
    4th of July Recipes
    Catholic Celebrations
    Thanksgiving Recipes
    Christmas Recipes

    Recipes

    Appetizers
    Dinners
    Salads
    Side Dishes
    Desserts
    Brunch
    Homemade Pantry

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2023