4th Grade Book List
Norse mythology and local Florida geography/history. Fourth grade explores courage, fate, and the wider world.
Unit 1: Lammas (First Harvest)
- D'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants by Ingri d'Aulaire
Essential Norse mythology
- The Creation (Norse) by Various
Ginnungagap and the first beings
- Ymir and the Frost Giants by Various
Creation from chaos
- Odin's Quest for Wisdom by Various
Sacrifice for knowledge
- Florida: A History by Various (age-appropriate)
Local history introduction
Unit 2: Mabon (Fall Equinox)
- Thor and the Giants by Various
Thor's adventures
- The Theft of Thor's Hammer by Various
Thrym steals Mjolnir
- Freya and the Brisingamen by Various
Freya's necklace
- Florida Wildlife by Various
Local animal studies
- The Seminole by Various
Florida's indigenous people
Unit 3: Samhain (Ancestors)
- Baldur the Beautiful by Various
Death and mourning
- Hel and the Underworld by Various
Norse afterlife
- The Ride of the Valkyries by Various
Warriors and honor
- Florida Ghost Stories by Various
Local legends
- Ancestor Tales by Various
Family history
Unit 4: Yule (Winter Solstice)
- Fimbulwinter by Various
The great winter
- The Death of Baldur by Various
Light lost and found
- Odin's Wild Hunt by Various
Yule traditions
- The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
Scandinavian winter
- Sun Horse, Moon Horse by Rosemary Sutcliff
Ancient Britain
Unit 5: Imbolc (Brigid)
- Idunn and the Apples by Various
Renewal and youth
- The Building of Asgard's Wall by Various
Trickery and consequences
- Loki's Children by Various
Fenrir, Jormungandr, Hel
- Florida Springs by Various
Local geography
- Brigid's Cloak by Bryce Milligan
Celtic parallel
Unit 6: Ostara (Spring Equinox)
- The Mead of Poetry by Various
Odin's quest
- Freyr and Gerd by Various
Spring and love
- The Binding of Fenrir by Various
Courage and sacrifice
- Florida Ecosystems by Various
Local nature study
- Spring Tales by Various
Seasonal stories
Unit 7: Beltane (May Day)
- Sigurd and the Dragon by Various
Hero's journey
- The Volsung Saga by Retold for children
Epic adventure
- Beowulf by Retold for children
Anglo-Saxon hero
- Florida Explorers by Various
Ponce de León, etc.
- Viking Ships by Various
Norse exploration
Unit 8: Litha (Midsummer)
- Ragnarok by Various
The end and new beginning
- The New World After Ragnarok by Various
Hope and renewal
- Norse Gods (Review) by Various
Summary and connections
- Florida Summer by Various
Local nature
- Midsummer Tales by Various
Celebration stories
⚔️ Essential Norse Collections
- D'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants by Ingri d'Aulaire
Best introduction for children
- Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Excellent retellings
- The Norse Myths by Heather O'Neill
Accessible versions
- Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Norse-inspired fiction
- Magnus Chase series by Rick Riordan
Modern Norse adventure (read-aloud)
📚 Tips for 4th Grade Reading
- • Tell the myths - Learn to tell Norse stories orally
- • Character study - Discuss gods' personalities and choices
- • Map the nine worlds - Draw Yggdrasil and the realms
- • Local connections - How does Florida's geography shape life here?
- • Compare traditions - Norse vs. other mythologies studied earlier