60 Best Fiction & Nonfiction Animal Books for 5th Graders

Because of Winn Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo

Opal goes the the market for some groceries and returns home with a dog, Winn Dixie. Winn Dixie is a very special dog who helps Opal make great friends, gain confidence, and learn more about her past. Everything that happens that wonderful summer is because of Winn Dixie.

Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. White

A spider who uses her web to write, expresses her affection for a little pig named Wilbur. Wilbur is the runt of the litter who was saved by a little girl named Fern. All Wilbur wants are some friends. This story is a tale of hope, love, and friendship, and it is beloved by generations for good reason.

Old Yeller

by Fred Gipson

The well-known classic story of a bond between a boy and a stray dog, Old Yeller. Living in the Texas hill country wilderness in the 1860s, 14-year-old Travis is faced with unprecedented trials and is burdened by a stray dog who steals food from the family at night. When that dog saves the family from danger, a bond between the boy and the dog begins to form. Old Yeller is sure to find his way into your heart too.

Where The Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Billy saves up his money so he can finally buy his dream dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. Together they develop an unbreakable bond as they face tough times and go on adventures in the hills of the Ozarks.

Pax

by Sara Pennypacker

Peter and Pax are inseparable. Until one day, Peter’s dad tells him he enlisted in the military and they have to move 300 miles away. Once there, Peter decides he can’t live without Pax and embarks on a journey to be reunited with his fox.

Shiloh

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Marty finds a beagle in the hills behind his home and instantly falls in love with it. He later finds out the true owner of the beagle is abusive, drinks too much, and has a gun. How far will Marty have to go to save Shiloh from this terrible man?

The Wildes

by Roland Smith

Ring and Asia Wilde live a life that is anything but ordinary. Instead of going to middle school like everyone else their age, they accompany their parents on adventures around the world. When a research trip to the Amazon rainforest turns dangerous, the kids suddenly are in search of their mother. Can they find her and survive the rainforest?

Hero Rescue Mission

by Jennifer Li Shotz

Hero, the main character in this story, is a retired search and rescue dog. When he and 12-year-old Ben find a puppy injured and afraid, the new addition to their crew leads them down a dangerous path. Hero must use his search and rescue skills to find the puppy and bring him home.

How to Steal a Dog

by Barbara O’Connor

Georgina is in a tough place, ever since her dad left the family and they were evicted from their home, she is forced to live in her car with her mom and brother. When Georgina spots a missing dog poster with a $500 reward, she knows just what to do to help her family. All she needs to do is “borrow” a dog that looks like the missing one and “return” it to the family to earn the reward. But what happens is not quite what she expected.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

by Richard Atwater

A house painter is surprised to receive a penguin from the Great Admiral Drake. And even more surprised when a female arrives, and baby penguins! This fun book is sure to keep kids laughing and entertained.

Pawsitively Adopted

by Jenna Sylvester

This picture book about adopting a dog, tells the story of Finnegan, a scared chihuahua, who is anxious to meet his forever family. Watch as Finnegan and his new family get to know each other and fall in love with one another. This is an excellent story for families considering adopting a dog from a shelter.

Warriors

by Erin Hunter

For generations, four clans of wild cats have been able to follow the rules set by their ancestors and share the forest. But tensions rise as ThunderClan is in danger while ShadowClan is growing stronger. Oddly enough, ThunderClan’s fate may rest in the paws of a modern house cat.

The Tale of Despereaux

by Kate DiCamillo

This is the story of a mouse, a rat, a servant, and a princess. Full of the magic of fairy tales, this tale includes a dungeon and a castle, of course. Find out how these unlikely characters end up in each other’s lives.

The Mouse and The Motorcycle

by Beverly Cleary

A young boy named Keith checks into an inn with his family and encounters a mouse who wants to ride his motorcycle. With all the obstacles a mouse on a motorcycle comes across, thank goodness Keith is there to look out for him.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

Four adventurous siblings step into a wardrobe and find themselves suddenly in the magical land of Narnia. In a land stuck in winter because of the White Witch, the kids must face unprecedented challenges and fight for the return of summer when Aslan comes back to take his throne.

Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH

by Robert C. O’Brien

Mrs. Frisby is a widowed mouse left with four children. She must move her little mice quickly or they will all be in grave danger. Her youngest son can’t be moved because he is too sick. Thankfully, she encounters the rats of NIMH who can help her come up with a solution. In return, Mrs. Frisby does something extraordinary for them.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Once upon a time, there lived a China rabbit named Edward Tulane. He was owned by a wonderful girl and lived a wonderful life. Until one day, he was lost. Read about his long journey from the ocean, to the bedside of a sick child, to the busy streets of Memphis.

Crenshaw

by Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have hit a rough patch in life (again), and they may have to live in their minivan (again). Crenshaw is a loud, outspoken, imaginary cat and he’s come back to help Jackson. Can this imaginary cat save this family from losing everything?

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Stuart Little is anything but an ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his family and their cat. One day, his best friend disappears from her nest and he goes on his biggest adventure yet to try and bring her home.

The Trumpet of The Swan

by E.B. White

Louis is a trumpeter swan who can’t make a sound. Unlike the rest of his family, who can all trumpet beautifully. Because he can’t trumpet his love for Serena, she hardly knows he exists. Louis tries everything he can think of to win her heart, even going to school, but nothing seems to work. When Louis’ dad brings him a trumpet, he hopes this will be enough to get her attention.

Love That Dog

by Sharon Creech

Jack hates poetry, but with the help of his teacher, he finds that writing gives him a voice. This book is written in free verse poetry format from the point of view of Jack as he revisits past experiences and learns to express himself.

A Dog’s Life

by Ann M. Martin

This is a touching story of a stray dog named Squirrel. Born in a cozy shed with her brother Bone, nothing could go wrong. Until one day, their mother was taken from them. With no one to care for them, the dogs set out into the world. Facing all kinds of humans (good and bad), busy highways, animals, and changing seasons, Squirrel takes on the world.

Saving Winslow

by Sharon Creech

Louie isn’t so great when it comes to nurturing animals, which is why when his father brings home a sick baby donkey, he is determined to take care of it. Everyone is worried that Winslow won’t survive, but as the bond between the boy and the donkey grows, surprising events prove that the donkey is stronger than he appears.

Hoot

by Carl Hiaasen

The new kid in Florida doesn’t know where he belongs. When he finally makes a friend, they realize the owls are in danger. Can the boys prank the pancake business people into leaving town in time to save the owls?

Strider

by Beverly Cleary

Strider is a stray dog who loves to run. When he is taken in by Leigh, Leigh begins running with him too. With all the running, Leigh becomes fast enough to join the track team at his school. But Strider doesn’t just change him on the outside, he also helps Leigh get through his parent’s divorce and talk to the girl he’d been admiring.

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate

Ivan has spent most of his life in an enclosure in a mall and is used to people watching him, hardly thinking of his life in the jungle. He is content to live in the mall until a baby elephant joins him and he sees his world through new eyes.

Elephant Secret

by Eric Walters

Sam was raised in an elephant sanctuary. When an elephant dies giving birth to a Woolly Mammoth, she is forced to stand up to the billionaire behind the DNA cloning.

Wish

by Barbara O’Connor

Charlie Reese makes the same wish every chance she gets, in hopes that it will come true someday. When she is sent to live with family members she barely knows, she feels like her wish will never come true. That is until she finds Wishbone, a stray dog, and makes an unlikely friend. Is her wish something she shouldn’t be asking for?

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo

On a walk in the woods one day, Rob finds a tiger pacing in a cage. Later, on that same day, he meets a girl who is as expressive as he is stoic. As the two become friends, they soon learn that some things can’t be locked up forever.

Stella

by McCall Hoyle

This is the story of a young dog who must find the courage to help a girl with epilepsy. Trained as a service dog to sniff out dangerous chemicals, Stella is traumatized after she makes a big mistake. Can she beat her anxiety and help her new family when she makes the connection between Cloe’s seizures and a smell?

Stone Fox

by John Reynolds Gardiner

Based on a Rocky Mountain legend, this is the story of Little Willy who lives with his ailing grandfather in Wyoming. He must win the national dogsled race to save the farm and his grandfather. The only problem is, he is facing professional dog sled racers, including Stone Fox who has never lost a race.

Saving H’Non Chang and the Elephant

by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung

This graphic novel is based on the true story of a young conservationist who must face the odds to save an elephant.

Everything Awesome About Sharks and Other Underwater Creatures!

by Mike Lowery

This book is full of fun facts, comics, maps, jokes, and more!

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung

When Chang discovers a bear bile farm near her home, she does everything she can to save the bears.

Science Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture

by Andy Hirsch

Kids get to learn about all kinds of cats from house cats to wildcats in this fun comic-style book.

The Bravest Dog Ever the True Story of Balto

by Natalie Standiford

Balto is the lead sled dog for his team and he must lead them through the winter storm to get medicine to sick children.

Ivan the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

by Katherine Applegate

After he was captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a mall for people to look at. Pressure from the public forced the mall owners to move Ivan to a better life in a zoo.

Kali’s Story

by Jennifer Keats Curtis

This story is about saving an orphaned polar bear and moving him to a zoo in Alaska and then to his permanent home in New York with another bear named Luna. Using photos to tell the story, we watch him grow up.

Owen and Mzee

by Isabella Hatkoff

Learn about a remarkable friendship between a baby hippo and a 130-year-old turtle. Stranded after a tsunami in Kenya, this unlikely pair found one another and stuck together.

The Elephant Scientist

by Caitlin O’Connell

Caitlin O’Connell is an American scientist who studies elephants. On a trip to Nambia, she made a shocking discovery, changing what we understand about how elephants interact.

Dogs on Duty

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Throughout history, dogs have been key contributors to military units. This author shows how dogs are trained, what makes them so qualified, how they contribute on the battlefield and missions, and what happens when they retire.

Dudu the Mongoose and Other Africa Stories

by Rosalind Ferry

Rosalind shares her unique experiences growing up in East Africa. She tells all about her adventures with the animals, people, and land.

Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

by Carol Buckley

Tarra retired from the circus and is sent to live in an elephant sanctuary. As other elephants join her, she prefers to be alone and doesn’t make attachments with any of them. Until one day, a stray dog appears and the two become inseparable.

National Geographic Kids 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals

Read all about unlikely animal friendships, animal heroes, animal tricks, and more. National Geographic uses colorful images and illustrations to share about the animals in an engaging way for kids.

Crow Smarts

by Pamela Turner

Are crows smarter than we originally thought? Scientists are discovering that brain size may not mean what we thought it did. Read about the discoveries in this book full of wonderful photographs of crows and the experiments performed with them.

All Fish Are Awesome

by Noel Vick

Readers are introduced to all kinds of fish in this colorful and easy-to-read nonfiction book. From the misunderstood to the beloved, this book covers every fish from saltwater to freshwater.

National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia

Learn about 2500 different animals in this exciting encyclopedia from National Geographic Kids. Full of pictures, maps, and fun facts, this book has an animal for everyone.

Ultimate Bugopedia by National Geographic

This comprehensive book includes hundreds of bugs and bug facts for kids to read about. They can even learn about different kinds of spiderwebs and the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies!

Weird But True! Animals

by National Geographic

Get the weirdest facts, trivia, and more about all your favorite animals. Filled with 300 facts and photos of animals, kids are sure to be entertained while they learn about all the funny animals in this book.

The Fascinating Animal Book for Kids: 500 Wild Facts!

by Ginjer Clarke

Filled with colorful photographs and fun facts, this book has lots of fun information for kids to read about animals.

The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth

by David Burnie

Using striking illustrations, this book teaches young readers all about all different kinds of animals. From microscopic life to the world’s biggest creatures, this book has it all for kids.

All About Horses: A Kid’s Guide to Breeds, Care, Riding, and More!

by Kelly Milner Halls

Perfect for the horse lover in your life, this book teaches kids all about caring for, riding, and identifying breeds of horses.

Over and Under The Rainforest

by Kate Messner

Take a tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet in this book all about what can be found in the rainforest.

A Place for Turtles

by Melissa Stewart

In this book, readers learn about 12 different kinds of turtles facing extinction and the efforts being made to save them.

Ocean! Waves for All

by Stacy McAnulty

Told from the perspective of the ocean itself, this book teaches kids lots of interesting and fun facts about the ocean.

The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and Its Ecosystems

by Rachel Ignotofsky

This book dives deep into the inner workings of the earth as we know it. From diverse ecosystems to ecology and biodiversity, this book teaches kids about our world.

Ecosystems (Science Readers: Content and Literacy)

by William B. Rice

This book teaches kids about the importance of balance within an ecosystem and introduces them to other scientific topics and concepts.

Food Webs (Science Readers: Content and Literacy)

by Lisa Perlman Greathouse

This book features hands-on science experiments, diagrams, and interesting information to help readers learn about food webs.

Homes and Habitats: A Wild Wonders Book

by Mary Sivertsen

Offering surprising facts about animals and the homes they live in, this book is perfect for teaching kids about habitats in an easy to read format.

In the Rainforest

by Kate Duke

Helping kids learn all about the diverse ecosystem in the rainforest, this book features colorful illustrations and diagrams to assist in learning.