Best Science Books for 9 Year Olds: 5 Compared

A nine year old who asks how everything works needs the best science books for 9 year olds matched to their reading level, not just their curiosity. This list compares five science books for young readers on reading age, grade level, page count and publisher, and ranks them by the Shelf Score.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Usborne Science Encyclopedia	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	101 Great Science Experiments	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Science Spell Book by Florance	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Science: A Visual Encyclopedia	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Science Facts for Smart Kids	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Usborne Science Encyclopedia

Kirsteen Robson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 448-page in-depth science encyclopedia for nine year olds who read for hours; kids who prefer experiments should skip it.

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Pros

• Reading age 8 - 12 years covers age 9.
• Grade level 4 - 6 is stated.
• 448 pages, published October 1, 2024, the newest here.

Cons

• At 448 pages it is the longest read here.
• The in-depth format suits readers, not kids who prefer experiments.
• No customer-listed age is given, only the stated range.

2

101 Great Science Experiments

Neil Ardley·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 120-page step-by-step experiments guide for nine year olds who learn by doing; long-form readers should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 6 - 11 years.
• Grade level 3 - 7 is stated.
• 120 pages of step-by-step experiments from DK Children.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• Published December 15, 2014, the oldest here.
• At 120 pages it is the shortest read here.

3

Science Spell Book by Florance

Cara Florance·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 224-page book of 30 enchanting experiments for playful young scientists; serious reference seekers should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 5 - 10 years.
• Grade level 2 - 4 is stated.
• 30 experiments in 224 pages, published July 6, 2022.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• The spell theme may not suit every reader.
• Grade level 2 - 4 sits slightly below a strong 9 year old reader.

4

Science: A Visual Encyclopedia

DK·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 304-page visual STEM encyclopedia for nine year olds who love pictures and facts; experiment seekers should skip it.

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Pros

• Reading age 8 - 12 years covers age 9.
• Grade level 3 - 7 is stated.
• 304 pages of visual STEM from DK Children.

Cons

• At 304 pages it is a long sit-down read.
• The visual format suits browsers more than experimenters.
• Published April 10, 2018, older than the Usborne pick.

5

Science Facts for Smart Kids

Petite Dreamer·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 133-page science facts book for nine year olds who like quick reads; deep-dive readers should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 7 - 11 years.
• 133 pages, published May 18, 2025.
• A quick-browse format for fact lovers.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• No grade level is stated.
• The facts format has less depth than the encyclopedias.

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More picks to compare

• Science Essentials Box SetSuits ages 8 – 12; 6-book box set, Wonder House Books.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five picks state a reading age and a grade level, two of them marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best science books for 9 year olds

Match the reading age to the nine year old

All five cover age 9: 101 Great Science Experiments gives 6 – 11 years from customers, the Usborne Science Encyclopedia and the DK Visual Encyclopedia both give 8 – 12 years, the Science Spell Book gives 5 – 10 years from customers, and the Science Facts book gives 7 – 11 years from customers. Grade levels run from 2 – 4 to 4 – 6. Customer-listed ages are a rough guide; the two without that mark are stated plainly. Our best science books for 5 year olds list covers younger readers if you are shopping for a sibling.

Experiments or reference

Two of these are experiment books: 101 Great Science Experiments (120 pages of step-by-step guides) and the Science Spell Book (30 enchanting experiments in 224 pages). Two are reference: the Usborne Science Encyclopedia at 448 pages and the DK Visual Encyclopedia at 304 pages. The Science Facts book at 133 pages is the quick-browse pick. For a nine year old who learns by doing, start with an experiments book; for one who reads for hours, pick an encyclopedia. Browse the middle grade shelf for more lists at this level.

Check the edition year

Science moves fast for a nine year old. The Science Facts book is the newest at May 18, 2025, followed by the Usborne Science Encyclopedia at October 1, 2024. The Science Spell Book is from July 6, 2022, the DK Visual Encyclopedia from April 10, 2018, and 101 Great Science Experiments from December 15, 2014. For topics that change quickly, the newer listings are the safer buy.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: all five cover age 9, with two marked as from customers.
• Check the page count: from 120 pages to 448 pages across the five picks.
• Check the type: experiment books for kids who like to build and mix, encyclopedias for readers, the facts book for quick browsing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book suits a 9 year old who loves experiments?

101 Great Science Experiments: 120 pages of step-by-step guides with a customer-listed reading age of 6 – 11 years. The Science Spell Book offers 30 enchanting experiments with a reading age of 5 – 10 years from customers.

Which is the longest book here?

The Usborne Science Encyclopedia at 448 pages, published October 1, 2024. The shortest is 101 Great Science Experiments at 120 pages.

Do any of these need adult supervision?

The listings do not state supervision requirements. Experiments books assume an adult is nearby for the messier projects; check the book’s own safety notes before starting.

Still deciding? Our top pickUsborne Science Encyclopedia

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: science books for 5 year olds, science fiction books for 11 year olds and kids and teens books.