I find that there is a void for newly independent readers. You know, the readers that have graduated from Henry and Mudge and insist on chapter books, but not yet ready for Newbery Award books. While there are a plethora of chapter books, the quality of many series books is low with a repetitive and tiresome storyline and limited vocabulary.
These chapter book suggestions come from mom friends as well the Between the Lions Book for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn How to Read by Linda K. Rath, Louis Kennedy, and Christopher Cerf, an excellent reference book.
Best Books for 1st Grade and 2nd Grade (when kids start reading independently)
Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows. A mom friend just recommended this and my daughter loved it. The first book is about how Ivy and Bean became friends. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Beast Quest series by Adam Blade. A great series for a newly independent reader about beasts who threaten a kingdom and a boy who can save them. Here are a few of them. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
No Flying in the House by Betty Brock. Finally, a great fairy book without a plot that is recycled throughout an entire series. This is about a half-blood fairy who is raised by her guardian, a 3-inch talking dog. Lots of interesting twists and turns and highly recommended by the 7-year-old set. [chapter book, ages 7 and up]
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh. A true story about Sarah Noble, a brave 8-year-old pioneer child, who must leave her mother and siblings to accompany her father to the wilds of Connecticut while he builds a house for their family. Can Sarah keep her courage up when faced with Indians? With large type and short chapters, this Newbery Honor book is perfect for younger readers. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Pinky and Rex series by James Howe and Melissa Sweet. Rex, a girl, loves dinosaurs. Pinky, a boy, is her best friend whose favorite color is pink. Perfect for kids who buck trends. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
My Father’s Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett. A little boy rescues a young dragon and his adventures with his new friend. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Go Girl! series by Thalia Kalkipsakis and Ash Oswald. A new series that a mom friend just recommended this series because it is about situations your child can relate to. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Lulu’s Hat by Susan Meddaugh. Susan Meddaugh, the author of the popular Martha Speaks series and tv show, has a chapter book written in her same picture book style that combines humor, wit, and quick-thinking heroines. In this case, her heroine is an aspiring magician. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Clementine (series) by Sara Pennypacker. [chapter book, ages 7 and up]
The Littles series by John Peterson. Meet the Little family. They are just like humans but much smaller with tails and live secretly among humans. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Cobble Street Cousins series (6 books) by Cynthia Rylant and Wendy Anderson Halperin. Wonderfully sweet and beautifully illustrated. Perfect for girls graduating from Henry and Mudge. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant. Retired Mr. Putter and his old cat Tabby have sweet little adventures together despite their doddering age. If you are ready to move beyond Henry and Mudge, this is the perfect next move up. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Thimbleberry Stories by Cynthia Rylant. I do confess that I love this author. In this book, Cynthia Rylant channels Beatrix Potter writing sweet short stories about meadow animals. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant. My second grader loved this book so much that she checked it out from the library after hearing her teacher read it aloud to her class. She highly recommends this to ANYONE! She needs a little bit of help as there are lots of SAT vocabulary words on every page. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. This is my midde daughter’s all-time favorite book for 2nd grade. It was a little difficult for her to read on her own, so we spent the summer prior to 2nd grade reading it together. She keeps asking her teacher for a book like this and her teacher, sorry, no other books as good as this one. We also read Chester Cricket’s Pigeon Ride and it’s ok, it’s basically a short story about one evening when Chester Cricket makes a new pigeon friend and gets a ride above NYC. But after trying to finish Chester Cricket’s New Home, my daughter decided to just find a new series because the sequels were disappointing. Oh well, she’s been reading puppy stories…more on that later! [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Julian Rodriguez series by Alexander Stadler. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.
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p.s. Related posts:
p.s. More of my chapter book lists:
Chapter Book Series Starring Diverse Girl Characters
Great New Early Chapter Books Giveaway
Best Beginning Chapter Books for 1st and 2nd Grade
Best Easy Readers and Early Chapter Books
Adopt a Shelter Pet Day Early Chapter Books
Hamsters and Guinea Pigs in Early Chapter Books
11 New Diversity Early Chapter Books
Top 10: Best Beginning Chapter Book Series
Best Chapter Books for Newly Independent Readers
Scholastic Branches: Early Chapter Book Series
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
My son also LOVED the Roscoe Riley Rules series. Roscoe is a genuinely good kid who somehow manages to spread mayhem among his first grade class. These were the very first chapter books my son found irresistable.
To Julia’s Child,
Thank youbfor the book suggestion! I will add it to the list!!
Blogged about your blog on my blog. Ha ha! 🙂
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Yes, totally loving your blog!
I am so glad. I’ve loved your for a long time…
Hi Snowden Support,
Thanks so much!!