Early Chapter Books for Older Readers
Do you have an emergent reader who is moving beyond Decodable Readers and Decodable Chapter Books, and is ready to tackle an entry-level chapter book?
... Or an older beginning reader who is looking for that first chapter book series that they can read on their own? A dyslexic kiddo who struggled to read, but is starting to get more self-sufficient? A striving or reluctant reader who needs their books more bite-sized to build confidence?
Want to find that easy first chapter book series that will hook them on reading?
This page is for you!
I have grouped them by genre, and within these cateogories, have listed them from easiest to hardest (approximately).
If you have a newly emerging reader, I always recommend having them read-aloud to you when you can. When a child reads aloud to you, you are able to provide them with instant corrective feedback for any words that they have trouble decoding accurately.
Be sure to brush up on these tips for Error Correction when doing Guided Reading and Supported Reading before you start!
EASY CHAPTER BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS
These lists only contain chapter books that I have personally read. But there are many more out there.
As a mother and literacy tutor, I have read a lot of early chapter books in my day - always with an eye toward finding books that can help my older beginning readers. However, if you are looking for more than my list provides, The Measured Mom, Chapter Book Chat, and Imagination Soup have early chapter book lists as well.
You might also find it helpful to browse the following publishing imprints, as they are focused on easy chapter books for emerging and struggling readers: Scholastic Acorn, Scholastic Branches, Capstone Publishing, Charlesbridge Moves, Simon and Schuster Kids, Bloomsbury Young Readers, Nosy Crow, Barrington Stoke, and Orchard Books. Some of the upper levels of early reader books might be a good place to look as well, particularly if you are working with kids in Grades K-3. See, for example: I Can Read, Ready-To-Read, and Step Into Reading.
Why are there NO Graphic Novels on this List?
There is a time and place for graphic novels. If a graphic novel is the only thing that encourages your kiddo to open a book, go for it. But for struggling readers, there are a few problems with graphic novels.
We live in an image saturated, screen saturated world. When kids read graphic novels, they aren't getting practice with complex and descriptive text. They also aren't getting practice visualizing what they are reading (and/or verbalizing, if they have aphantasia), because the pictures are right there. I cannot tell you how many kids I have encountered who didn't realize that they could visualize the scenes in books so that they play like a movie in their mind! This is practice that our kids desperately need to have if they are going to have success reading complex text and enjoy reading later on. We do our children no favors in this department if we don't give them practice with image-free text.
*Hops off soap-box*
That said, there is a balance. We also want kids to love reading. Graphic novels, parent read-alouds, and audio books can be great for fostering a love of books while our kids are still learning to read.
Helping Your Child Learn to Read
If you have an older child who is still struggling to read, you should be aware that some reading intervention programs are better than others. Be sure that your child is receiving a Structured Literacy intervention. Within these, the most effective, intuitive, and fastest reading interventions I have found are "Speech-to-Print" phonics programs such as Reading Simplified, EBLI, Sounds-Write, SPELL-Links, That Reading Thing, Phono-graphix, Sharpen, and Rooted in Language. Many of these phonics programs are designed to get your child from zero to reading chapter books in months rather than years.
REALISTIC FICTION
If you have a kiddo who likes their stories firmly settled in the real world then this subsection is for you.
Organized from Easiest to Hardest
by Sally Rippin
Word Count: 1000-2000
Chapter Length: 100-200
Interest Level: Grades K-5
Font Size: 28
This fabulous very early chapter book series features Jack: a gentle boy dealing with various emotions as he navigates life's everyday ups and downs. He is often along for the ride on the whim of his best-friend Billie B (who has a series of her own). While Jack is quite young and the font size is large, the series is written in a reflective rather than silly tone, and this may appeal to some older beginning readers.
by Sally Rippin
Word Count: 1000-2000
Chapter Length: 100-200
Interest Level: Grades K-5
Font Size: 28
Billie B. is a spunky, determined girl who seems to turn every activity into an adventure ... or accident! She dances through each day confident that she knows best, until she inevitably finds out that maybe she needs help from time to time. Like the Hey Jack! series, these books feature young characters, and have a large font size, but are written in an earnest rather than goofy tone, so older readers may still enjoy them.
by Yvette Poshoglian
Word Count: 2000-3000
Chapter Length: 400-500
Interest Level: Grades K-5
Font Size: 24
In this sweet-but-not-too-sweet series about sisters Ella and Olivia, there is always a new challenge to accomplish. Often the girls will have to work through sibling relationship issues to get there, but despite their age difference, the duo always end up closer than ever in the end.
An added bonus? There are many books in the series, as well as several spin-off series including "Meet Ella" and "Olivia's Secret Scribbles."
by Melina Marchetta
Word Count: 2200
Chapter Length: 200-300
Interest Level: Grades K-4
Font Size: 16
Zola lives on a peaceful street in Australia with her mum and nonna (grandmother). But as quiet as Boomerang Street is, Zola always seems to get into some sort of scrape. In this series opener, Zola tries to help her grandmother with some gardening ... but has a a few mishaps on the way!
by Tim Cahill
Word Count: 6000-7000
Chapter Length: 300-400
Interest Level: Grades K-8
Font Size: 14
This sporty series follows Timmy and friends as he tries desperately to be a great soccer star even though he's small for his age. Though the book is quite a bit longer than the ones previously listed, the sentences are still simple, and there are many sketches and some word art to break up the text (though keep in mind that word art can be distracting for some readers).
Rosie Revere and the Raucuous Riveters
by Andrea Beaty
Word Count: 8000
Chapter Length: 150-300
Interest Level: Grades K-6
Font Size: 16
If you have a STEM geek in your house, they'll love this spin-off series from the hit picture book "Rosie Revere, Engineer." In this first book, Rosie takes on an emergency prosthetic engineering challenge for a friend of her Great Aunt Rose. When research and prototype testing goes awry, will Rosie give up, or keep trying?
Bonus? Culturally diverse, and there is a tv show to go with this series too!
by Asia Citro
Word Count: 8000
Chapter Length: 600
Interest Level: Grades 1-8
Font Size: 16
This STEM-filled series has a biology and ecology bent as Zoey and her cat Sassafras use science to solve the problems that various magical creatures bring to their doorstep. No matter how many times she fails, Zoey is determined to keep experimenting and controlling variables until she finds the best solution! This series is one of my personal favorites. Despite the inclusion of magical creatures, it reads first-and-foremost like a realistic STEM story, and with a BIPOC lead, which is great to see.
by Various Authors
Word Count: 12,000
Chapter Length: 500-700
Interest Level: Grades 4-12
Font Size: 15
The books in this series are a little longer, and they don't shy away from tough topics and dark moments in history, such as the Ojibwe Removal, the Trail of Tears, the Birmingham Children's Crusade, Bloody Sunday, and Tianamen Square. While they present these stories in a child-centered way, you'll want to pre-read these to ensure your kiddo is ready for the content.
MYSTERIES
It's hard to go wrong with a good mystery series. They have a very broad appeal and are my go-to when trying to find a book that will hook reluctant readers.
Organized from Easiest to Hardest
by Sally Rippin
Word Count: 5000
Chapter Length: 500-600
Interest Level: Grades 1-6
Font Size: 16
I highly, highly recommend this very readable mystery series from the author of Billie B. Brown and Hey Jack. These are a step up in complexity from those books, and offer tantalizingly REAL mysteries and interpersonal drama set in Billie B.'s school and town. This author's books have a fair bit more cultural diversity than many of the others on this list. Kids love a good mystery and these are accessible to struggling readers. A great way to get kids hooked on a series.
by David A. Adler
Word Count: 5000
Chapter Length: 500-600
Interest Level: Grades 1-5
Font Size: 14
Helped along by her photographic memory, Cam Jansen is always ready to solve a mystery. Though always grounded in a realistic school or home setting, these mysteries tend to take Cam and her friends a little further afield than the scenarios in Billie B. Brown. This is an older series, but kids still enjoy it, and with over 30 books, there's a lot to dig into.
by James Preller
Word Count: 6000
Chapter Length: 500-600
Interest Level: Grades 1-6
Font Size: 14
Jigsaw Jones is a bit of a smarty-pants, and likes to withhold information from readers. This might be a turn-off for some people, but can also make for a fun read. The mysteries that Jigsaw & friends get involved in are similar to Cam Jansen's: closely tied to school and home, and fairly realistic. Readers could imagine themselves uncovering the same sorts of mysteries in their own neighborhoods, if they were to look closely, and this adds to the appeal of this extensive series (38 books!)
by Ron Roy
Word Count: 8000
Chapter Length: 700-800
Interest Level: Grades 1-6
Font Size: 14
The characters in these stories have a lot more freedom to roam than most kids, and more than those in the other mystery series listed here. While a little less believeable than some of the others, this 26 book series is certainly very fun. There is a fair bit of banter between the group of friends that might seem mean-spirited at times, so be sure to pre-read and see what you think.
by Carolyn Keene
Word Count: 8000-10,000
Chapter Length: 800-1000
Interest Level: 1-8
Font Size: 13
Not your mother's Nancy Drew! In this spin-off of the classic series, Nancy is just a kid, solving mysteries in her small, affluent suburban town. This series (like many others on the list) is not incredibly culturally diverse, and the wealthiness of the town feels in your face at times. There IS a tomboy - that's as close as it gets to diverse, but an important element for some kids. However, the stories are fun, and the mysteries are usually satisfying.
by Holly Webb
Word Count: 15,000
Chapter Length: 1500
Interest Level: 1-8
Font Size: 13
Maisie Hitchins is a politely determined Victorian-era sleuth. With an observant and thoughtful nature, (and just a bit of cheekiness) she carefully solves each mystery that comes her way. This historical-fiction mystery series is definitely a step up in difficulty-level from the others on this list. Children may stumble over some of the antiquated language, and the chapters are long (Pro-Tip: split each chapter over two reading sessions). Still, for kids who love a Victorian vibe, this series is lovely, and just might hook your romantic history buff!
FANTASY & SCI-FI
Here is my first love. Fantasy and Science Fiction. I know these genres are not for all readers (hence the placement at the bottom of the page). But as far as my kiddos and I are concerned, I've saved the best for last. <3
Organized from Easiest to Hardest
by Shannon Hale
Word Count: 2000-3000
Chapter Length: 200
Interest Level: K-4
Font Size: 24
Delightfully adventurous, filled with charm, cheeky courtliness, and a fair dash of slapstick humor, the Princess in Black series will appeal to young princess, spy, and monster lovers everywhere. The difficulty level of these is a bit quirky: the short sentence structures make these read a bit on the younger side, but some of the vocabulary is a quite antiquated and advanced. Emerging readers may need a bit of help with these, but they are bite-sized and much adored.
by Jordan Quinn
Word Count: 5000
Chapter Length: 400
Interest Level: K-6
Font Size: 14
Prince Lucas is the Prince of Wrenly, but life in the castle is too boring. He'd rather be a villager, and play with the other children. When he puts on a disguise and meets up with Clara - a village girl, he finds himself on an epic, multi-island adventure to find the Lost Emerald. With wizards, fairies, trolls, and dragons, this book has a classic high-fantasy feel, but in short chapters, with easier to read language.
by Harriet Muncaster
Word Count: 6000
Chapter Length: 300-400
Interest Level: K-4
Font Size: 14
Half vampire, half fairy, Isadora Moon knows what it's like to be different. She also knows what it's like to live in a "multi-cultural" family (even if that family is magical). In this sweet series, Isadora's attempts to fit in, but also stay true to herself and not cause any accidental problems along the way are quite endearing. There is now a spin-off TV show about Isadora Moon!
by Tracey West
Word Count: 6000
Chapter Length: 300-400
Interest Level: K-6
Font Size: 14
When Drake receives a summons from the king, he has no choice but to answer. As a poor peasant boy, he must do whatever the royals want. What they want is for him to train as a Dragon Master. But will he bond with his Earth Dragon in time to help them? Each book in the series features Drake, but also another Dragon and its Dragon Master, and these are very popular with young fantasy lovers who love their stories with a more serious tone.
by Theanne Griffiths
Word Count: 7000
Chapter Length: 700
Interest Level: K-8
Font Size: 14
When two best friends and their new classmate discover a portal into a magical, science-filled Maker Maze laboratory, their adventures are just beginning. Behind each door in the Maker Maze, is a new, wild STEM adventure. A bit like Magic School Bus, but in chapter book format.
by Asia Citro
Word Count: 8000
Chapter Length: 600
Interest Level: Grades 1-8
Font Size: 16
This STEM-filled series has a biology and ecology bent as Zoey and her cat Sassafras use science to solve the problems that various magical creatures bring to their doorstep. No matter how many times she fails, Zoey is determined to keep experimenting and controlling variables until she finds the best solution! This series is one of my personal favorites. Despite the inclusion of magical creatures, it reads first-and-foremost like a realistic STEM story, and with a BIPOC lead, which is great to see.
Yes, I've added this series twice! It's THAT good. Not to be missed.
by SJ King
Word Count: 9000
Chapter Length: 1000
Interest Level: 1-8
Font Size: 14
Join the Secret Explorers as they are transported on emergency missions across the globe. Each of the characters has their own STEM specialty, and they have to draw on all their knowledge to solve each mission. From the rainforest, to outer space, to ice shelves, to volcanoes, to dinosaurs, they plunge into a different world every time. The fabulous culturally diverse cast is an added bonus!
If you love these and want more, check out the companion History & Time-Travel themed series The Timekeepers
by Andrea L. Loney
Word Count: 7000
Chapter Length: 800
Interest Level: K-6
Font Size: 14
Abby is an astronaut. She and her family have just moved to the International Space Station, and that takes a lot of getting used to. As Abby struggles to fit in, maneuver around in microgravity, and keep track of her little brother, a bit of forgetfulness and a dash of embarrassment sets off a chain reaction that might ruin everything, including her mother's science experiment.
by "Daisy Meadows"
Word Count: 4000
Chapter Length: 700
Interest Level: K-4
Font Size: 14
Join Rachel and her new friend Kirsty on the first of many (many, many, many, many ...) adventures through fairyland, as they try to stop the trickster Jack Frost from ruining everything. Are these stories a bit on the formulaic side? Yes. Do kids love a good formulaic story? Yes! Will your child possibly get addicted to said formulaic series? Also yes. And if they get your kiddo reading, that is a very good thing. Despite being shorter books on the word count front, the word choice and sentence structure in these is a little more complex, which is why I've listed them further down the page, complexity-wise.
ICYMI: There are nearly 300 Rainbow Magic books in print.
by "Daisy Meadows"
Word Count: 4000
Chapter Length: 700
Interest Level: K-4
Font Size: 14
Join Aisha and her friend Emily on the first of many (many, many ...) adventures through the enchanted Unicorn Valley, as they try to stop the Dark Unicorn Selena from ruining everything. Are these stories a bit on the formulaic side? Yes. Do kids love a good formulaic story? Yes! Feel like you are having déjà vu reading this entry? You are not going batty! This series is very very (very very very) similar to Rainbow Magic. But with unicorns.
There are about 20 books in this series and its spinoffs.
by Julie Sykes
Word Count: 11000
Chapter Length: 1000
Interest Level: 2-8
Font Size: 13
It's Sophia's first year at the prestigious Unicorn Academy boarding school. There, each student is matched with a unicorn, and their bond unlocks special powers. Each story focuses on a different set of unicorn-human partners as they face challenges bonding, dealing with social dramas, and solving the magical challenges and lightly STEM-laced mysteries that come their way.
As an added bonus, this series has been newly adapted to Netflix. As a heads-up the adaptation is a very loose one. Though the premise, characters, and settings are similar, many of the plotlines are very different.
Honorable Mentions
Mercy Watson Series - I can't quite bring myself to add this to the official list. It's a little too goofy for older kids. But it is also a really whimsically delightful early chapter book series.
Fly Guy - I actually just forgot to add this one the first go-around!
Jeanie & Genie - Ditto the above!
Sea Keepers - Forgot these too! A bit on the longer side.
Zoe's Rescue Zoo - These are lovely endangered animal stories set in a zoo. A bit longer than some entry-level readers might have the stamina for.
Magic Treehouse Series - You have no doubt heard of these already. (~5000 words)
I Survived Series - A bit longer than many on this list, but could be doable for some readers. Some might be a bit dated, content-wise, so pre-read. (~11,000 words)
Need More?
Be sure to check out my Decodable Chapter Books List!
If you are looking for more than my lists provide, The Measured Mom, Chapter Book Chat, and Imagination Soup, and Nosy Crow have early chapter book lists as well.
You might also find it helpful to browse the following publishing imprints, as they are focused on easy chapter books for emerging and struggling readers: Scholastic Acorn (larger print), Scholastic Branches, Capstone Publishing, Charlesbridge Moves, Simon and Schuster Kids, Bloomsbury Young Readers, Nosy Crow, Barrington Stoke, and Orchard Books. Some of the upper levels of early reader books might be a good place to look as well, particularly if you are working with kids in Grades K-3. See, for example: I Can Read, Ready-To-Read, and Step Into Reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment