Fall Into Reading: Books for Growing Great Minds

As the seasons change, fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Reading not only sparks imagination, it can also grow leadership, responsibility, curiosity, and compassion. Below are some fall-inspired book recommendations for all ages, each connected to 4-H Positive Youth Development principles that help youth thrive in 4-H and beyond.

Cloverbuds / Younger Readers (ages 5–8)

• Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson
  4-H Spark: Healthy Living – Children explore the cycle of growth, connecting their curiosity about nature to gardening and healthy eating.
• The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry
  4-H Spark: Belonging – A story about kindness and unexpected friendship that reinforces the importance of caring for others, a core part of building belonging in 4-H.

Upper Elementary (ages 9–12)

• Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
  4-H Spark: Generosity & Civic Engagement – A neighborhood transforms a vacant lot into a community garden, showing how youth can strengthen their communities through service.
• Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
  4-H Spark: Independence & Leadership – Highlights how one person’s vision can inspire healthy living and urban agriculture, modeling leadership in action.

Middle School / Early Teens (ages 12–14)

• Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
  4-H Spark: Belonging & Inclusivity – Told from the perspective of an oak tree, this story emphasizes kindness and inclusion, echoing 4-H’s mission of creating welcoming spaces for all.
• Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
  4-H Spark: Mastery & Civic Engagement – Youth activism and environmental stewardship shine through as characters protect wildlife, sparking discussions on how youth voices matter.

High School (ages 15–18)

• Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  4-H Spark: Mastery & Connection to Nature – Encourages youth to blend traditional wisdom with modern science, deepening their sense of stewardship.
• March Trilogy by John Lewis
  4-H Spark: Leadership & Civic Engagement – A powerful story of courage, advocacy, and making a difference, inspiring youth to see themselves as change-makers.

Learn more about 4-H and the Reading Adventures Project here: https://www.kansas4-h.org/projects/leadership-personal-development/reading.html

by Lexi Ray, 4-H Youth Development Agent, 2025