10+ Best Vet Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Is your 9-year-old fascinated by animals and dreams of becoming a veterinarian? You're in luck because we've rounded up some of the best vet books for 9-year-olds that are both engaging and educational. These books are perfect for nurturing their interest in animal care and veterinary science. Keep reading to discover our various lists of vet books that will inspire and entertain your young animal lover!

Fun Vet Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Vet Volunteers: Fight for Life by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book introduces a group of young volunteers at a veterinary clinic who work together to save sick puppies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to animal care and the responsibilities of a vet, wrapped up in an engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in veterinary medicine.

• Animal Rescue Team: Gator on the Loose! by Sue Stauffacher, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story follows Keisha and her family who run an animal rescue center, dealing with a mysterious alligator appearance in their neighborhood.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with suspense and teaches about wildlife rescue and conservation.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy action-packed stories and learning about wildlife.

• The Puppy Place: Goldie by Ellen Miles
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: This book is about Charles and Lizzie Peterson who foster dogs and find them forever homes, focusing on a golden retriever named Goldie.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's heartwarming and illustrates the joys and challenges of fostering pets.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of helping animals and possibly fostering or adopting pets themselves.

• Judy Moody, M.D.: The Doctor Is In! by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Judy Moody gets to be a doctor for a day in her classroom's job week, sparking her dream of pursuing a medical career.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's funny and inspiring, showing kids they can aspire to any career, including medicine.
  • Perfect for: Children who love a good laugh and might be considering a future helping animals or people as doctors.

• Rescue Princesses: The Secret Promise by Paula Harrison
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Princess Emily discovers that she's part of a secret group, the Rescue Princesses, who save animals in danger.
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends fantasy with themes of bravery and compassion towards animals.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy, especially those who imagine themselves as heroes.

Educational Vet Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding of life cycles, vocabulary development
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that teaches about friendship, loyalty, and the reality of farm life.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and are beginning to explore deeper themes in literature.

• Dr. White by Jane Goodall, illustrated by Julie Litty
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book explores the life of Dr. White, a veterinarian who cares deeply for animals and helps to cure them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy for animals, understanding of veterinary practices, inspiration from real-life figures
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a real-world look into the life of a veterinarian through the lens of Jane Goodall's experiences.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in real-life heroes and animal care.

• The Berenstain Bears' Pet Show by Stan & Jan Berenstain
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: The Bear family attends a pet show where Brother and Sister Bear learn how to care for and appreciate their pets.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Responsibility, pet care, family values
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and educational story that teaches about the responsibilities of pet ownership.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy family stories and have pets or are thinking about getting one.

• Olivia Becomes a Vet by Alex Harvey, illustrated by Jared Osterhold
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Career Exploration
  • Synopsis: Olivia dreams of becoming a vet and gets a chance to help animals in her unique, imaginative way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative problem solving, career exploration, animal care
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imaginative play and career exploration in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and enjoy creative storytelling.

• I Want to Be a Veterinarian by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Career
  • Synopsis: This book provides a simple and engaging look at what it takes to be a veterinarian and the various tasks they perform.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of a veterinarian's role, career awareness, animal science
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a clear and informative view of the veterinary profession, ideal for young readers considering this career path.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring veterinarians and kids curious about animal science and care.

Challenging Vet Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Genius Vet's Casebook by Malcolm J. Nicholson
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Science
  • Synopsis: Follows young Emily, a brilliant aspiring vet, as she solves complex animal health mysteries in her neighborhood using science and intuition.
  • Why this book is challenging: Features sophisticated scientific concepts and medical terminology that push the comprehension skills of young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a scientific approach to solving problems and fosters a love for animal science and veterinary medicine.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and future scientists who are passionate about animals and mysteries.

• Animal Helpers: Wildlife Rehabilitators by Jennifer Keats Curtis
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a detailed look at the role of wildlife rehabilitators who care for injured or orphaned wild animals, aiming to return them to the wild.
  • Why this book is challenging: Includes in-depth explanations of rehabilitation procedures and ethical considerations, which are complex topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: Offers a realistic view of the challenges and rewards of wildlife conservation, promoting environmental stewardship.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in wildlife conservation and those who aspire to make a difference in the natural world.

• Veterinary Science: A Beginner's Guide by Steve Parker
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science Education
  • Synopsis: An introductory guide to the field of veterinary science, covering basic principles, the study of various animal species, and career paths in veterinary medicine.
  • Why this book is challenging: Presents detailed scientific content and professional pathways that are usually not introduced at such a young age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It lays a strong foundation for understanding animal biology and the responsibilities involved in veterinary careers.
  • Perfect for: Ambitious readers who are considering a future in veterinary science or animal care professions.

• The Secret Life of Veterinarians by Laurel Neme
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Career Exploration
  • Synopsis: Explores the daily lives of veterinarians, including the challenges they face and the impact they have on animals and their communities.
  • Why this book is challenging: Goes beyond basic pet care to discuss complex medical treatments and ethical dilemmas faced by veterinarians.
  • Why we recommend this book: Provides insight into the veterinary profession, encouraging empathy and a deep respect for the role vets play in society.
  • Perfect for: Readers curious about the realities of being a vet and those inspired by animal welfare.

• Exploring the World of Veterinary Medicine by James Bentley
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Takes readers on a journey through the diverse fields within veterinary medicine, including exotic animal care, farm animal practices, and aquatic veterinary science.
  • Why this book is challenging: Covers a wide range of specialized areas in veterinary medicine, each with its own set of skills and knowledge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It broadens the reader's understanding of how vast and varied the field of veterinary medicine is.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are serious about exploring all aspects of veterinary science and considering a career in this field.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 9-year-old develop great reading habits while diving into the fascinating world of vet books, you're in the right place! Below are some fun and engaging exercises that can enhance their reading experience. Not only will these activities make reading more enjoyable, but they'll also reinforce the knowledge they gain about caring for animals.

• Create a Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Write down new or interesting words found in vet books.
  • How it helps: Expands vocabulary and understanding of complex concepts.
  • Tips: Use a notebook specifically for new words and review it weekly.

• Summarize Chapters
  • What it is: After reading a chapter, summarize it in a few sentences.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of information.
  • Tips: Try to recall the main points without looking at the book, then check for accuracy.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters based on the descriptions in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances creative thinking and helps visualize text content.
  • Tips: Use a mix of colors and details to bring scenes to life.

• Question and Answer Session
  • What it is: Come up with questions about the story and try to answer them.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and deeper understanding of the material.
  • Tips: Make this a fun activity by including friends or family members in the session.

• Connect to Real Life
  • What it is: Relate events or information from the book to real-life situations.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading material more relevant and memorable.
  • Tips: Discuss these connections during family time or with friends who have pets.

• Predict the Outcome
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next in the story before reading ahead.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and anticipatory skills.
  • Tips: Write down predictions and check how many were right after finishing the chapters.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a bridge between learning and fun. Encourage your young reader to try different activities and find out which ones they enjoy the most. This way, they'll not only learn a lot about veterinary science but also develop a lifelong love for reading. Happy reading!