There’s nothing more amazing than seeing young children progress from picture books to reading short stories and novels on their own. This is why beginner chapter books for young readers are so important.
These books introduce children to the joys of reading, they build vocabulary and help make strong readers. It’s important to pick early reading books that interest the child, to keep them entertained throughout the book. It’s also a vital step into turning a child into a lifelong reader.
With this in mind, here’s a list of books I know from teaching, that are perfect for young minds that are ready to expand their vocabularies and reading levels.
Best First Chapter Books
These books are great for many grades, and are often the best ones to start reading aloud to younger children. Hearing the stories before they’re ready to read them on their own will build their listening skills including vocabulary which will help later on with decoding and reading comprehension.
It also helps that most of the suggestions are part of a series. Reading aloud the first book in the series can jump start a child’s interest to continue on their own with the next book. And because many early chapter book series follow familiar storylines, kids grow their reading skills and confidence.
Magic Tree House
This favorite series follows two children, Jack and Annie, as they discover a treehouse that’s filled with books. The two soon get whisked away on one adventure after the other, taking your early reader with them.
There are currently a total of 54 books in the Magic Tree House series. And for added fun, you can sign up for the Kids’ Adventure Club to keep track of the books you’ve read and complete exciting challenges.
A-Z Mysteries
For young mystery-lovers, the A-Z Mysteries series is crammed with adventure and fun. The three main characters are child detectives who join together to solve mysteries around them. There are 26 books in the original series, each one is themed around a letter of the alphabet. The first is The Absent Author, and the last, The Zombie Zone.
If your child falls in love with these – which they’re bound to do – there’s also a Super Edition series with 6 extra books that follow on from the end of the A – Z mysteries.
Secrets of Droon
Give your young reading fanatics the key to the magic world of Droon with these easy-to-read chapter books. Readers get to join three friends as they discover this secret land at the end of a staircase. These chapter books are full of magic and adventure.
Boys who always seem to have trouble finding a book they like tend to love Secrets of Droon!
My Father’s Dragon Trilogy
This classic trilogy (My Father’s Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon, and The Dragons of Blueland) is the perfect book series for boys and girls who enjoy fantasy adventure stories. There are plenty of pictures and lots of silliness, keeping young readers interested and laughing throughout.
Dragon Masters
Fantastic for young beginner readers, the Dragon Masters chapter book series offers an easy read and fantastic storyline. The 18 books follow 8-year-old Drake as he is taken to a castle and trained to become a Dragon Master. There are plenty of illustrations to activate young imaginations.
Cam Jansen Series
These favorite books follow Cam, a 5th-grader with a photographic memory. Along with her best friend Eric, she solves mysteries like any super sleuth would. There are 32 books in the original series which are aimed at first- and second-grade readers.
There’s also a Young Cam Jansen series for earlier reading levels.
Superduper Teddy
This is another of the great early chapter books, especially for boys, as it takes us along on a shy little 5-year-old boys’ adventures. Superduper Teddy is part of the Riverside Kids Series, and this volume is all about little Teddy. It’s a simple read that holds younger children’s attention well.
Zoey and Sassafras
The award-winning Zoey and Sassafras collection makes for a great first chapter book series. Thanks to the large text, illustrations perfectly placed throughout the pages, and scientific learning opportunities. Zoey is a bright young girl who solves many scientific problems in the books, using research, investigation, and experiments.
Olivia Sharp
Cousin of Nate the Great, Olivia Sharp is another clever child detective who uncovers secrets and helps her friends. There are 4 books in the series, which are fantastic for younger grade readers, especially girls.
Chapter Books for 1st Graders
These are top chapter books for first graders, suitable for younger students who are ready to build their reading stamina with longer stories.
As always, remember, book leveling is only meant to be a guide. Each child progresses at their own pace. Within a classroom of first graders or any age students, there’s always a range of readers from children who are just starting to decode to those who are ready for chapter books.
Stink
These books are all about Judy Moody’s little brother – Stink. He has his own collection of early reader chapter books for kids, full of goofy schemes and fun antics.
Nate the Great
The Nate the Great series is the perfect collection of books for first-grade boys and girls. Nate is a young detective who is constantly solving mysteries in and around his neighborhood. The books contain short chapters, simple vocabulary, and illustrations to keep young kids engaged and entertained while they read.
Horrible Harry
Horrible Harry books are used by many elementary schools as readers for young students. Good-hearted Harry is more misunderstood than horrible, really. But these books tell of his explorations as a fun-loving 3rd-grader.
The Buddy Files
The Buddy Files offers a mystery chapter book with a difference. The super sleuth in this series is King the dog. It’s a cute and easy series to read. It’s perfect for dog lovers and mystery-minded students.
Mercy Watson
The cute and lovable porcine wonder is the star of these Mercy Watson chapter books. Mercy is a pig who is constantly getting up to mischief and finding adventure around every corner.
Rainbow Magic Princess Fairies
If you have a fairy fanatic, make reading even more fun for them and get them the Rainbow Fairies collection. Each book introduces the reader to a new fairy, and tells the story of how young girls Rachel and Kirsty help the fairies get their lost crowns back.
There are over 200 books published in the Rainbow magic series, perfect for hungry young readers.
Judy Moody
The Judy Moody titles are some of the best chapter books for 1st graders. They’re witty, comic, and written for young readers to understand on their own. Most kids aged 6 – 9 enjoy Judy’s antics and follow the story with ease.
Amelia Bedelia
Amelia Bedelia is a determined, young lady, ready to take on the world. The chapter books about her are adapted from the original books written more than 50 years ago. Amelia’s lovable naivete and very literal take on daily life make for great laughs, like when she’s asked to make a date cake and chops up the calendar to mix with the batter!
You can now get first picture books, early readers, and beginning chapter books about both young and grown-up Amelia Bedelia.
Horrid Henry
Horrid Henry is a mischievous boy, surrounded by mayhem. The book collection is full of his playful yet naughty ways. These books are suitable for readers aged 6+ and loved by all.
Chapter Books for 2nd Graders (And Up)
Ivy and Bean
There are 11 Ivy and Bean books, which tell the story of two girls who are opposites but become friends anyway. The stories are funny and meant to be relatable to kids aged 6 – 9, although the girls are a little sassier than most kids their age. Nevertheless, they’re great for early readers and provide short chapters and readable text.
The Miniature World of Marvin and James
Telling the story of a young boy named James and his best friend Marvin the beetle, this chapter book series is easily read by younger readers. There are plenty of illustrations and the story is captivating for young imaginations.
Andy Shane
Meet Andy Shane in this book series and see how the young schoolboy deals with a bossy girl at school. The stories delve into anxious Andy’s life and how he works on his anxiety and building his self-esteem.
Flat Stanley
Great for ages 7+, Flat Stanley is the story of an ordinary boy who becomes flat after a bulletin board falls on him. The four books in the series detail his adventures as a flat boy. They are short, exciting books, with mostly easy-to-read text but with some vocabulary young readers may need help understanding.
Marvin Redpost
This book enters the mind of Marvin Redpost as he considers the possibility of being the son of royalty. The book is written with young readers in mind, and the story is captivating enough to hold even the most reluctant readers’ attention.
The Riverside Kids
Including titles like Busybody Nora and Superduper Teddy (mentioned separately), the Riverside Kids books are excellent first chapter readers. The stories are of 4 children, who grow up in a large city. The books follow them as they go about life and grow up slowly.
The Chicken Squad
The Chicken Squad book series contains the bravest squad of chicks you’ve ever read about. This bunch of farm birds is great at solving mysteries. The books are fun and silly, and loved by kids in younger grades.
BallPark Mysteries
These books combine the perfect amount of sport, mystery, and adventure. There are 16 Ballpark Mysteries for young readers to enjoy and discover the joy of reading.
Children who are fast readers and those in higher grades will benefit immensely from these chapter book
Boxcar Children
These chapter books are written for ages 8 – 10, putting them at more of a 2nd- to 4th-grade level. The books are all about a family of four orphaned children and their dog, living in a boxcar
There are over 100 books written about the Boxcar Children and their adventures. The original author wrote the first 19, and after her death, other writers completed the series.
Nancy Clancy
A carry on from the Fancy Nancy picture books, kids who grew up with Nancy are now able to continue reading about her adventures in her super sleuth chapter books. The star of the series gets inspired after reading Nancy Drew and decides to become a sleuth herself.
Amber Brown
The quirky and lovable Amber Brown books are not just great at helping children begin their reading journeys, but they are full of life lessons and age-appropriate conundrums. They’re meant for ages 7 – 10, and grades 2 – 5.
Clementine
Clementine is a lovable, eccentric 8-year-old who is also, at times, a little devious. This collection of 7 books offers some humor into the lives of young readers, and is ideal for 2nd- and 3rd-graders.
Although they’re also perfect to read to younger children, and you may just find 4th- and 5th-graders giggling at the pages, too.
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew
Nancy Drew is a classic and these first chapter books bring her adventures to younger readers. There are 39 books in total, which follow an 8-year-old Nancy Drew and her friends as they find and solve mysteries.
All About Sam
Even those who don’t know who Anastasia Krupnik is, this account of her younger brother’s childhood will enchant readers of all ages. All About Sam details Sam’s life from birth through the toddler years and into childhood.
Note: Although it’s perfect to read aloud to younger children, it is at a reading level of around 3rd grade.
Stories Julian Tells
The Stories Julian Tells stepping stone book is not only a great chapter book for beginner readers, but it’s also a delightful story. It shares Julian’s life as he and his little brother Huey explore the powers (and responsibilities) of his imagination and storytelling.
For those who enjoy this book, there are also others in the Julian’s World series.
Gooney Bird Greene
These books introduce us to a young girl who loves to tell stories. Gooney Bird Greene is the new girl at school, and is definitely a character! Think modern-day Pippi Longstocking.
The Gooney Bird Greene books not only help young readers build their reading skills, but also their writing skills, as the author introduces readers to the art of storytelling.
Jake Drake
These books are written about Jake, an elementary school student who faces and overcomes your average school-type challenges. The stories are relatively short but full of laughs and lessons for students.
Just Grace
A simple book series about a simple girl, Just Grace is relatable to elementary school girls and helps to introduce reading as a fun hobby. The book is filled with comics drawn by Grace, and the book speaks to children in a way they understand.
Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective
Leroy is nicknamed ‘Encyclopedia’ due to his knack for trivia. He enjoys solving clues and mysteries in his neighborhood, and the Encyclopedia Brown books take the reader along on the adventure. You can even guess the answers to clues before you read them.
Clubhouse Mysteries
A brilliant chapter book for older readers, the Clubhouse Mysteries collection sees four friends work together to solve mysteries and help their community. Filled with secret codes, treasures, and clubhouse meetings, these books will entertain any adventure-seeking reader.
Early Chapter Books – Recap
Easy reader chapter books are essential for students who are transitioning toward longer books and more complex storylines. Early chapter books shouldn’t be too much longer than around 100 pages, and the text should be spaced widely. Illustrations are also important to keep young readers interested and help them transition from seeing the story on the page to imagining it in their mind.
The best beginner chapter books depend on the child’s age, grade, and reading level – as well as their own personal interest. Learning to read is a powerful moment in a child’s life and the excitement that comes with starting to read chapter books can foster a lifelong love of reading.
Which beginner chapter books would you add to this list?
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