Best Summer Workbooks for 4th Grade (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A few pages of practice a day is easy to keep up over a break, and the best summer workbooks for 4th grade fit that routine. We compared each listing’s grade level, reading age, page count and edition, so you can match a workbook to the grade your child is about to start.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Summer Bridge 4th-5th by Summer Bridge	9.7/10	Buy
2	Summer Brain Quest by Workman	9.7/10	Buy
3	IXL Ultimate Summer 3-4 by IXL Learning	9.7/10	Buy
4	Summer Bridge 3rd-4th by Summer Bridge	9.7/10	Buy
5	Summer Before 4th Grade by Gold Stars	9.6/10	Buy

1

Summer Bridge 4th-5th by Summer Bridge

Summer Bridge Activities·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 ›

For a child finishing 4th grade who wants a 15-minute daily practice book ahead of 5th grade.

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Pros

• Grade level 4 to 5 and a reading age of 9 to 10 agree with each other
• The description says an answer key and progress charts are included
• Fifth edition dated February 10, 2025, at 160 pages

Cons

• The spec table overview says soon-to-be 3rd graders, which conflicts with the title
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Short daily sessions may feel light for a reader who wants longer practice

2

Summer Brain Quest by Workman

Workman Publishing·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 ›

For a child who just finished 4th grade and wants a map-style workbook with stickers.

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Pros

• Written for kids who just finished 4th grade, with grade level 4 to 5 listed
• Includes bonus challenges, a summer reading list and a Brain Quest mini deck
• Covers reading comprehension, writing, decimals, fractions and American history

Cons

• Published April 18, 2017, an older date than the 2025 listings here
• Listed as Book 6 of 7, so confirm the series title matches your grade
• Common Core alignment and teacher approval are the publisher's claims

3

IXL Ultimate Summer 3-4 by IXL Learning

IXL Learning·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 ›

For a child getting ready for 4th grade who wants four subjects in one 144-page book.

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Pros

• Covers math, English language arts, social studies and science
• The listing says it can pair with the IXL website or app for online practice
• Grade level 3 to 4 and a reading age of 8 to 9 are both listed

Cons

• The spec table says 'summer between grades 2 & 3' and ages 7 to 9
• No answer key is stated in the listing
• Phrases such as 'created by experts' are the publisher's own wording

4

Summer Bridge 3rd-4th by Summer Bridge

Summer Bridge Activities·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

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 ›

For a child getting ready for 4th grade who wants a multi-subject summer book with progress charts.

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Pros

• Grade level 3 to 4 and a reading age of 8 to 9 agree with each other
• The description says an answer key and progress charts are included
• Covers math, language arts, science, social studies and fitness

Cons

• The spec table overview says soon-to-be 2nd graders, which conflicts with the title
• Listed as Book 5 of 10, which does not show the grade it covers
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

5

Summer Before 4th Grade by Gold Stars

Gold Stars·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 ›

For a child moving into 4th grade who wants 75+ activities and an answer key at the back.

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Pros

• The listing states an answer key at the back of the book
• Covers reading comprehension, writing, phonics, fractions and word problems
• Reading age of 9+ years, marked as from customers, suits readers around 9

Cons

• Grade level is Not stated, so match it by title and reading age
• Edition is Not stated, and the May 30, 2022 date is older than the 2025 listings
• At 128 pages it is shorter than the 144 to 160 page picks here

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More picks to compare

• Big Third & Fourth Grade by School ZoneFor 3rd and 4th graders wanting a 320-page workbook; summer is not mentioned.Check on Amazon
• Summer Before Fifth Grade by Gold StarsFor a child moving into 5th grade; a customer-listed reading age of 10+.Check on Amazon
• IXL Ultimate Summer 4-5 by IXL LearningFor a child moving into 5th grade; covers math, reading, science and social studies.Check on Amazon
• Ready For 4th Grade Language ArtsFor students entering Grade 4 in a 10-week summer language arts plan.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five picks give a reading age marked as from customers, and four also give a grade level. 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 summer workbooks for 4th grade

Match the grade being finished

A child finishing 3rd grade fits a 3 to 4 book such as Summer Bridge Activities 3rd to 4th Grade. One finishing 4th grade fits a 4 to 5 book, such as Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades 4 and 5. For math alone, see our math workbooks for 4th grade list.

Check the reading age against the reader

Amazon marks reading age as from customers, so compare it with the grade level before deciding. For reading practice, see our reading comprehension workbooks for 4th grade list.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date, since the Summer Brain Quest listing is dated April 18, 2017.
• Look for an answer key: the Summer Bridge and Gold Stars listings state one, while the Summer Brain Quest and IXL listings do not.
• Confirm the series position and grade, since the Summer Bridge 3rd to 4th listing says Book 5 of 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grade should a summer workbook match?

Match the grade range on the listing to the grade your child is finishing. Then check the reading age, which the listings mark as from customers.

Do these workbooks include an answer key?

The Summer Bridge and Gold Stars listings state one. For the Summer Brain Quest and IXL listings, the answer key is Not stated.

Which edition should I buy?

Choose the most recent edition you can find. The Summer Bridge listings state a fifth edition dated February 10, 2025.

Still deciding? Our top pickSummer Bridge 4th-5th by Summer Bridge

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Related lists

See every Homeschool Curriculum list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: browse summer workbooks for kids, math books for 4th grade and reading comprehension workbooks for 5th grade.