Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025!
    • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco featured in Booklist
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
    • I’m Signing Books at ALA 2025 in Philly!
Menu
Best Beginning Chapter Books

12 Best Beginning Chapter Books for 2nd and 3rd Grade

Posted on August 14, 2012May 27, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

My public library creates a great list for summer reading and this is the list I need for my rising 2nd grader.  My library doesn’t like Scholastic beginning chapter book series like Ninjago, Rainbow Fairies, Hiro Quest, or My Weird School. My kids’ first grade teacher does not love them either. Finding great easy chapter book is tough which is probably why this list is so short. It’s culled from mostly newly published books.

As your child works up to chapter books, a great author for 3rd grade and up is Roald Dahl. It seemed like PickyKidPix‘s entire 3nd grade class was happily immersed in Roald Dahl that year. The BFG, Mathilda, and George’s Marvelous Medicine were favorites of theirs.

What are your favorite easy chapter books? Please share and I’ll add to this list.

p.s. I have another list here with some classics that still endure like the My Father’s Dragon series.

Best Books for Beginning Readers

Ivy + Bean: No News is Good News by Annie Barrows

Ivy and Bean try to make money editing a newspaper about Pancake Court but neighbors are unhappy reading about themselves. 

I really like the Ivy + Bean series that gently presents issues of friendship mixed with sweet little adventures that appeal to little girls. We read these when PickyKidPix was in 2nd grade and 3rd grade.

No Room for Dessert by Hallie Durand

Eight-year-old Donahue “Dessert” Schneider is feeling completely ignored and unloved at home, but she is certain that will change when her invention wins the Thomas Edison Contest at school.

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dreams by Jenny Han

Korean American fourth-grader Clara Lee longs to be Little Miss Apple Pie, and when her luck seems suddenly to change for the better, she overcomes her fear of public speaking and enters the competition.

Because my kids are 1/2 Korean American (and 1/4 Chinese American and 1/4 Japanese American), I am especially excited to find books that reflect their ethnic heritage. Clara Lee’s Korean ethnicity is a subtle point that I like because I think it’s a realistic one. (Does ethnicity matter that much anymore if you live in a place that promotes diversity and understanding our differences?) For Clara, the hurdle to winning the title lies in her own ability to conquer her fears.

Andy Shane: Hero at Last! by Jennifer Jacobson

Andy wants two things very much, to win the contest for the best-decorated bicycle in the “Home Sweet Home parade” and to be a hero, but his best friend Dolores stands in the way of at least one goal.  This book skews a little younger and is great for grades 1-3.

Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins

When a little girl gets a plush stingray for her birthday, it befriends her other toys as they experience the world of real people.

Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline

Teacher-turned-author Suzy Kline uses her years in the classroom as the basis for her Horrible Harry series. Song Lee is an actual student that she adores. Other characters including Horrible Harry (who isn’t that bad of a kid) are compilations of kids she taught.

As an author who visits schools, Suzy talks about story seeds, a word or a two that she jots down in an ever-present notebook that becomes the basis of her books. Pencil stub, yellow scarf, purple hanger, and June Box are all actual story seeds that became books in her popular Horrible Harry series. See if you can discover each of her story seeds as you read her books.


Gooney Bird on the Map series by Lois Lowry

When her second-grade classmates are envious of the three students who are going away on winter vacation, the creative and ingenious Gooney Bird Greene thinks of a geography activity to cheer them all up.

The Secret Dinosaur series by NS Blackman

My son spent a preschool year obsessed with dinosaurs and we read nothing by dinosaur books for an entire year. His interests eventually switched to Pokémon, but he’s always been fond of dinosaurs. This series is perfect for him for first grade when he starts to read independently. Mechanical dinosaurs come to life in this easy chapter-book action-adventure series! [early chapter book, ages 6 and up]

Wolf Pie by Brenda Seabrooke

When Wilfong the wolf fails to blow down the house of the Pygg brothers, he stays outside their door all winter learning their games and listening to their jokes and stories, but although he claims to be reformed, the pigs are reluctant to offer friendship.

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg

When Eleanor’s babysitter moves away to care for her sick father, Eleanor spends the summer adjusting to a new babysitter while mourning the loss of her old one.

Any child who has had a beloved babysitter or nanny can relate to Eleanor, who misses her old babysitter. Her new babysitter is equally wonderful and helps her to understand that you can still accept and even love your new one. The cartoon illustrations help to break up the text which makes this especially appealing to reluctant readers.

Daisy Dawson at the Beach by Steve Voake

Spending the whole summer at the beach, Daisy, who can communicate with animals, and her new friends, a dancing crab, and two baby rabbits join forces to help a dolphin in distress.

To view any book at Amazon, please click on image of book.

best easy chapter books, best beginning chapter books, best early chapter books, 1st grade books for kids, 2nd grade chapter books, 1st grade chapter books

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  • Starred review from School Library Journal
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

27 thoughts on “12 Best Beginning Chapter Books for 2nd and 3rd Grade”

  1. Dr Rajka says:
    August 15, 2012 at 1:49 am

    Captain underpants series definitely for the boys 2nd/3rd grade.

    Great suggestions as it is hard finding the books in between picture books and chapter books.

    I was at B&N and the sales associated was excellent. She recommended a new one out by Dr Suess. “The Bipolo Seed and other Lost Stories” It is not a chapter book but a collection of short stories. We are working through it right now. I would rate it 2nd grade level as it is relatively easy for my soon to be 3rd grader.

    Best,
    Rajka

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 16, 2012 at 10:16 am

      Hi Dr. Rajka,
      Thank you for your wonderful suggestions! I can’t wait to find that new Dr. Seuss book!!

      Reply
  2. Ann says:
    August 15, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    These look great!

    We are reading My Father’s Dragon for the second time right now! My kids both liked The Bear on Hemlock Mountain – we just finished. My daughter really loves Magic Tree House series too.

    Want to start with Toys Come Home and Daisy Dawson at the Beach – I think both my kids would love those!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 16, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Hi Ann,
      Thanks for your great book recommendations! I want to read The Bear on Hemlock Mountain; it’s new to me!

      Reply
  3. Bhumika says:
    August 16, 2012 at 11:49 am

    These books are great, I have introduced Amelia Bedelia series to my second graders, and they are enjoying it.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 17, 2012 at 8:01 am

      Hi Bhumika,
      Thanks so much for your comment. I hope the book list helps your kids in 2nd grade find books they love. Amelia Bedelia was a favorite series of mine as a child and I’m so happy to see that kids today like it too.

      Reply
  4. Artchoo! says:
    August 17, 2012 at 12:40 am

    My daughter loved Ivy and Bean! These are so fun.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 17, 2012 at 8:03 am

      Hi Artchoo!,
      My middle daughter adored Ivy and Bean too! I think she read most of them. It was the right amount of friendship and naughtiness for her!

      Reply
  5. Tina Schmidt says:
    August 17, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    One of my favorite read aloud books for my new 3rd graders is Sideway Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. It is a silly story about a school that was built sideways – 30 stories with 1 class on each story. Each chapter is about a different student and the funny things that they do like standing on their head to count. After I read that book, the children run to the library to read the next 2 books in the series. It is more on the 3rd-4th grade reading level.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 18, 2012 at 9:19 am

      Hi Tina,
      We used those books for our book club for girls in 3rd grade and maybe 4th grade too. I thought the books were quirky and a little out there but the girls LOVED them! Thanks for sharing your experience with his books!

      Reply
  6. Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon says:
    August 20, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Awesome post lady! THANK YOU. My daughter starts 2nd grade next week and we’ve been looking for titles. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      Hi Zina,
      I’m so glad you like the book list! I always found it challenging to find great books for kids in 2nd grade. There are a lot of popular series but so many are mind numbingly boring with repetitive vocabulary and plots. I’m always trying to find books in this age category and my public library had a great list. Thanks for visiting my blog!

      Reply
  7. Karyn says:
    August 24, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I love the ‘Ricky Ricotta’ series for young readers.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 29, 2012 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Karyn,
      Thank you so much for your great book recommendation. I haven’t read that series but I will look for it at my library!

      Reply
  8. Read Aloud Dad says:
    February 7, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Hi Mia!

    I positively love your lists. You know that!

    Let me be a bit exotic here with my suggestion: Noddy Goes to Toyland! Irresistible for kids.

    If your kid loves it, then there are loads more books in the series that you can go through. The catch they are not be so easy to come by today. It took me 3 years to find my own copy of the first one! All of a sudden, one day it appeared on Amazon at a reasonable price!

    The kids NEVER get tired of it. There are 20+ more books in the series. I got my hands on around a dozen new ones (via Amazon UK). They have them stocked there usually.

    Where can you find the list of Noddy books – good question! The full list is available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noddy_(character)#Noddy_books

    Read Aloud Dad

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      February 7, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Thanks Read Aloud Dad,
      I love your suggestions! Noddy Goes to Toyland is new to me but I love those old classics! I will try to get a copy! Thank you!!

      Reply
  9. Laura says:
    August 1, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Hi! Thanks for this informative post. I can’t wait to check out some of these books for my daughter. She just turned 5 and is starting Kinder in the Fall. She’s an avid reader and devours chapter books. She currently loves the Rainbow Fairies and I was just curious why they’re not good, recommended books? My daughter is my oldest so this is my first go-around with school, chapter books, etc… Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 2, 2013 at 8:15 am

      Hi Laura,
      My girls loved Rainbow fairies as well and devoured them but after I read, like 45!, of them alongside them, the repetitive plot and language started to make me crazy! It’s a wonderful series to get girls reading but I really can not take more than, say, 15 of those books. The bad guy is ALWAYS Jack Frost. They ALWAYS have 5 days to accomplish something. I wish the language were richer and more varied. If that was the case, I would be able to wholeheartedly recommend them but as a parent who read too many of them, it started to feel tortuous.

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 2, 2013 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Laura,
      We love the Cobble Street Cousins series and they are probably the easiest on this list. I’d start with this 6 book series by Cynthia Rylant. I would also try the All of a Kind Family series. It really reads like short stories so it’s very managable. The American Girl doll Rebecca is based on this series.

      Clementine is the “new Ramona the Pest” and I’d try that after those two series. Let me know if I am on the right track for your daughter and I’d be happy to recommend more books.

      Reply
  10. Jodie Wells-Slowgrove says:
    April 28, 2014 at 1:19 am

    These look great!
    There are some truly fantastic Australian authors writing for this level as well. Here are some series that you might want to look up:
    Clementine Rose by Jaqueline Harvey
    Ghost Club by Deborah Abela
    Tashi by Anna Feinberg
    TooCool by Phil Kettle
    Zac Power by H.I Larry
    Wilderness Fairies by Jodie Wells-Slowgrove – me 🙂
    Our Australian Girl by various authors
    Billie B Brown by Sally Rippin
    Unicorn Riders by Aleesah Darlison
    Violet Mackerel by Anna Branford
    Cheers,
    Jodie

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 30, 2014 at 6:42 am

      Hi Jodie,
      Thank you for your wonderful book recommendations from Australian authors!! What a great list!!!

      Reply
  11. Lesley says:
    February 27, 2015 at 9:21 am

    Hi, I’m a librarian and mom of a first grader, so I’ll chime in with our favorites. We have read all of the “Humphrey” series by Betty Birney. Very entertaining with a lot of good lessons on how to get along with other kids at school and empathize with creatures of all kinds. They are very appropriate for new readers, with no cattiness or subject matter that would be upsetting. We also love scientific anything, so I recently started bringing home from work the Phineas MacGuire series by Francis Dowell and the Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives series by Michele Torrey. These we read aloud, since they are a bit long for a seven-year-old. Thanks for your suggestions!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      February 28, 2015 at 10:14 am

      Hi Lesley,
      Thank you so much for your great suggestions. We’ve read The 7 Wonders of Sassafrass Spring by Betty Birney but that’s it. I’ll have to find her Humprey series! Thanks also for Phineas MacGuire series which is new to me and I think I have a two of the Doyle and Fossey series that I never read to my son! Will have to dig those up! He likes science and I’ll bet he will like them even though he’s a tad old for them.

      Reply
  12. Six says:
    August 14, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    Hi I’ve got a struggling 2 nd grade we found 2 great book series to read .
    Hey jack is the easiest chapter book and about life for kids – boys mainly . My daughter can read mostly billie b brown .- girls chapter book.!!
    Missing tooth – playground detective- second best friend- really relatable stuff. Go look for them. .

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 15, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Hi Six,
      Thanks for the great book rec!

      Reply
  13. Suz says:
    August 14, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    this is the website sally ripping writes both. Billie b brown – the pocket money blues . The secret . Etc . Are awesome .. For my kids confidence – actually they are still hard for her . BuT they are interesting so she carries on. http://Www.sallyrippin.com/sallyrippin.com/Billie_B_Brown.html

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 15, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Hi Suz,
      Sounds like great books!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • My Daughter’s Start Up SWARM wins $100k from VentureCat! June 20, 2025
  • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025! June 18, 2025
  • Cover Reveal for Fight for the Right to Read June 16, 2025
  • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025! June 13, 2025
  • Sumo Joe turns 6 Years Old and 6 book GIVEAWAY! June 11, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT