35 Best Chapter Books for Beginning Readers

A wonderfully sensitive chapter book about what happens when friendship turns sour and the importance of standing up for oneself. The writer excels at creating tension, and as a people-pleasing child (and adult TBH), this story made me so anxious for Anna. Great resolution and I’m excited to read more in the series. Would recommend.

I laughed so much reading this book! Incredibly funny, engaging, and is bound to teach kids a thing or two about working hard to earn income. Amelia Bedelia’s parents say they’ll split the cost of a new bike with her, and that means Amelia Bedelia needs to put the pedal to the metal and earn some dough! With Amelia Bedelia anything can happen, and it usually does. Short, fast-paced chapters, tons of friends, silly situations, and funny wordplay and misunderstandings make the Amelia Bedelia chapter books an ideal choice for readers of the Ivy and Bean, Magic Tree House, and Judy Moody books. Features black-and-white pictures by Lynne Avril on every page!

This fun illustrated chapter book helps kids understand how money and spending work, including the differences between a gift card and a credit/debit card, when to use cash instead of a card, and how to spend wisely. I like that it will keep readers interested in learning these facts using the fairly engaging background plot. It does feel a bit teach-y, but I think that’s the intent, and it still is an enjoyable, compelling reading experience. It also has a graphic/paneled comic section at the end, reinforcing the lessons learned since Julian, one of the characters, loves to draw comics. I would recommend this one if you’re looking to teach your kids how money/spending works or if you have a kid with tons of questions about it. Great for ages 7-9.

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business is the first book in the Mindy Kim series. Mindy and her father have recently moved from the city to a suburb in Florida where she is the only Asian girl in her school. On top of that, Mindy’s mom died shortly before their move and her dad is adjusting to being a single parent. Like any normal child, Mindy wants to be liked at her new school. She’s fortunate to meet a new friend on her first day, even though the kids complain about the way her Korean lunch smells. Things start to look up for Mindy when the kids try and love her seaweed snacks. At first, she starts a snack trade-off, but later decides to start selling the snacks so she can save up money to buy a puppy. However, Mindy’s new business and friendship run into some problems along the way. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business is an exciting new addition to the world of chapter books.

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa, amazing Africa, with her mother and father, her twin baby brothers (Double and Trouble), and lots of extended family in a big white house with a beautiful garden in a compound in a city. Anna is never lonely—there are always cousins to play and fight with, aunties and uncles laughing and shouting, and parents and grandparents close by. I love this author’s stories and the way she portrays Africa.

Published: March 2, 2021

Too Small Tola is a new chapter book from Atinuke featuring three stories about a girl living with her grandmother and siblings in Lagos, Nigeria. Everyone teases Tola — sometimes lovingly — for being so small. They think she can’t lift heavy loads or do other things because of her size. But Tola’s grandmother reassures her that you can be small, but mighty, and Tola proves that she is! The first story Too Small Tola shows what happens when Tola accompanies Grandmommy to the market. In the second story, Small but Mighty, Tola deals with a bully while trying to fetch water at a public tap. The last story, Easter and Eid shows how Tola comes to the rescue when their beloved tailor sustains an injury. Too Small Tola is a short, engaging collection of three stories about a young Nigerian girl, Tola. 

When Jada Jones’s best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She’d much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada’s teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she’s in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn’t seem to like any of Jada’s ideas. She doesn’t seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?  

A wonderful chapter book with a dynamic, persevering protagonist. I’m excited to read more about Jasmine’s escapades. Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is a flamingo fan, tree climber, and top-notch mess-maker! She’s also tired of her big sister, Sophie, always getting to do things first. For once, Jasmine wishes SHE could do something before Sophie—something special, something different. The New Year approaches, and as the Toguchi family gathers in Los Angeles to celebrate, Jasmine is jealous that her sister gets to help roll mochi balls by hand with the women. Her mom says that Jasmine is still too young to join in, so she hatches a plan to help the men pound the mochi rice instead. Surely her sister has never done THAT before. But pounding mochi is traditionally reserved for boys. And the mochi hammer is heavier than it looks. Can Jasmine build her case and her mochi-making muscles in time for New Year’s Day?

I ADORED this one! Juana is a spirited voice in the world of chapter books. BIG PROBLEMAS follows her as she adapts to her mother finding love again and remarrying. I loved the excellent storytelling and full-color illustrations I think many children will enjoy. BIG PLUS: it’s set in Colombia!

Lola is absolutely delightful! A female soccer star who’s not ashamed of her love for sports or writing or anything. This is one of those chapter books where I felt the MC’s parents were well developed! Loved and would recommend esp. for any soccer-loving kids!

Meet Yasmin! Yasmin is a spirited second-grader who’s always on the lookout for those “aha” moments to help her solve life’s little problems. Taking inspiration from her surroundings and her big imagination, she boldly faces any situation, assuming her imagination doesn’t get too big, of course! A creative thinker and curious explorer, Yasmin and her multi-generational Pakistani American family will delight and inspire readers.

Ryan Hart and her family are moving to a new (old) house because her dad lost his post office job and his new job doesn’t pay as much. Ryan is unhappy about the change for many reasons. She liked their old house, and even though she has her own room in this new house, this house is a smaller bungalow, which means there will be no stairs to play on. She also fears that it will be too small to entertain guests, because Ryan loves to create new recipes — and cook them! Still, there are small joys. She doesn’t have to change schools and is still close enough to one of her best friends. With the new house, and selling one of their cars, her parents can better deal with their financial struggles. Throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is. Renee Watson’s Ways to Make Sunshine is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist.

With his rowdy cousins constantly wearing out his motorcycle and the Mountain View Inn manager threatening to take care of the mouse infestation once and for all, Ralph decides it’s time to get away for a while. He convinces his human friend Ryan to take him along to school, where Ralph instantly becomes the center of attention. But when Ryan’s class decides to see how smart Ralph is by making him run a maze, the usually confident mouse starts to fret. What if he’s not as clever as he thought?

Sarai Gonzalez is AWESOME. Fourth-grader Sarai Gonzalez can do anything. She can bake, dance, and run her own cupcake business. But when Sarai’s grandparents are forced to move, even Sarai’s not sure what to do. So she hatches a super-awesome plan with her younger sisters and cousin to buy back the house. But houses are more expensive than she ever thought, her sisters won’t listen, and she’s running out of time. Will Sarai find a way to save the day?

Azaleah can’t wait for her class field trip to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., especially when her teacher announces the chance to earn extra credit. But when Azaleah gets home, she quickly realizes extra credit isn’t as easy as she thought. Azaleah’s younger sister Tiana can’t find Greenie, her stuffed animal, and she’s sure he’s been stolen. With Mama at the restaurant and Daddy at work on a big case, it seems Azaleah is the only one available to track down the stolen stuffie. Can Azaleah get to the bottom of the mystery in time to finish her extra credit?

Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah’s world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah’s little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown Elementary/Middle School. Determined to handle it on her own, Farah comes up with a plan–a plan that involves lying to those closest to her. Will her lies catch up with her, or can Farah find a way to defeat the bully and rock fifth grade? This is a much-needed representation of a Palestinian-American protagonist for early readers.

Who doesn’t love a secret superhero, especially when she’s a princess too? Princess Magnolia has two identities. She’s a pink-wearing princess who drinks tea with the Duchess, but she’s also the Princess in Black, a monster-fighting superhero who saves the day at the ring of her monster alarm. Will the Duchess learn her secret? This is a fun romp of a series, and the pictures are charming.

Friends Albert and Pickles are off on a camping trip but sadly have very different expectations. Albert is prepared for the great outdoors, while Pickles is expecting more of a glamping situation. So, imagine the drama when they arrive in the woods for a true camping experience. Add in a lost baby koala, a surprise visit from their platypus friend, and a potentially scary monster(?) in the woods, and the wombats are in for a treat! I laughed out loud several times while reading this one, and it is exceptional! Older kids in the second and third grades will also enjoy it.

Six-and-a-half-year-old Ava Lin loves bubble tea and balancing pasta on her nose. She also loves animals and is excited about starting first grade. With many exciting things on the horizon, Ava is most looking forward to making a best friend. But navigating social rules isn’t as easy as she expects and leads to comical results. This is a cute new chapter book with illustrations and graphic panels and featuring a Chinese-American heroine to look out for next year.

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News is the first in the new Frankie and Friends series. Frankie’s mom is off on a reporting trip, and the whole family is missing her. With her stuffed animals as partners, Frankie decides to use the journalism tidbits she’s learned from her mom — like finding your beat and being honest — to solve a surprising family mystery. Frankie and Friends: Breaking News is a charming, educational, and imaginative start to a fun series that’s perfect for new readers. 

In this chapter book by Kate DiCamillo, Orris is a mouse who lives alone in an abandoned barn with his three favorite collectibles: a pair of red velvet slippers, one sardine can, and a bright yellow marble ball. Enter Timble. One night, Orris hears an owl’s cry for help and rescues him. The two become hesitant friends in this first installment of the series (after all, owls eat mice). This book feels like a classic waiting to happen, and the illustrations are gorgeous, as is DiCamillo’s spare prose and rich characterization.

When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermy likes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home?

When Bear wakes up early from her hibernation, she decides to build a snowman. Her grumpy neighbor, Rabbit, decides to build an even better one. Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits is full of laugh-out-loud moments and chronicles the forming of an unlikely friendship. With illustrations throughout, this book is perfect for middle grade readers and is sure to become a fun favorite on any kid’s bookshelf.

This spring break, everyone has plans except Amy. She’ll be reading Nancy Drew and helping her mom out at her vet clinic. But when an adorable pup goes missing, it’s up to Amy and her friends to solve the mystery. This is a sweet chapter book with a riddle that actually had me invested. Perfect for younger kiddos who love animals, friendship chapter books, and cozy mysteries. Suitable for ages 7-9.

This is a gorgeous chapter book about a spunky young protagonist whose dad tells her that if she can catch a chicken, she can keep it. Well, Starla Jean catches herself a chicken. I loved the full-color pictures in this book. Just charming! Great for new readers ages 5-7.

Marisol Rainey’s mother was born in the Philippines. Marisol’s father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. And Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard she calls Peppina . . . but she’s way too scared to climb it. This all makes Marisol the only girl in her small Louisiana town with a mother who was born elsewhere and a father who lives elsewhere (most of the time)—the only girl who’s fearful of adventure and fun. This summer, Marisol is determined to have fun and surmount her fears. This is a cute chapter book about handling anxieties.

This one is a huge favorite of many young readers! Dory is a lastborn with an overactive imagination who exhausts her parents and siblings with her high energy and propensity for chaos. Join her in the series’ first book as she finds imaginary monsters around the house and puts them in their place. I thought this one was funny and cute — and the series gets better with each installment. The Dory books can be readaloud to kids as young as 5 or 6, but will be best independently read by those ages 6 and up.

The duck in this story wants to be a detective so badly that all her friends know her penchant for solving mysteries. Detective Duck is not your average duck. Her dad is a beaver, and her friends at the Dogwood Pond where she lives include a dragonfly, frogs, and a book-loving salamander. When a huge object lands in the pool, disrupting the residents’ daily lives, it’s up to Duck to solve the case and save their home. This one is fantastic on audio and has inspiring environmental connections without being TOO on the nose. I’d hand this to readers ages 7-9.

Julia LOVES to swim and is excited to participate in Personal Best Day with her swim team. Unfortunately, she develops an ear infection and the doctor’s orders are clear: stay out of the water. But Julia won’t give up and tries several wacky ways to stop water from getting in her ears when she swims, with disappointing and hilarious results. Eventually, she learns there are different ways to be part of a team. I loved this chapter book, especially the depiction of Julia’s immigrant parents, their sushi shop, and Julia’s adventures in the library and with frenemies. It’s an excellent choice for older readers who want the comfort of pictures in their stories. Great for ages 7-10.

Ten-year-old Zara has been crowned Queen of the Neighborhood by a loving neighbor. Zara makes fair rules for all the games she and her brother Zayd play with the other kids and Zara likes things just like that. But when her neighbor, Mr. Chapman moves out, a new family moves in. Their daughter Naomi has other ideas for playing and the other kids seem to like many of her ideas too. To win back her crown, Zara decides she’ll try to break a World Guiness Record. But as time goes on, she realizes that it may just be better to share her crown instead. Thisis the start of a beautiful chapter book series about a young Pakistani-American heroine and her friends and family. Good for ages 7-9.

Mia Macarooney is a regular eight-year-old girl who finds out that she’s A SUPERHERO! Her life literally goes from totally ordinary to totally super when she’s invited to attend the afterschool Program for In-Training Superheroes a.k.a. THE PITS! This book is so much fun and readers will have a blast watching Mia learn some serious superhero skills! Older kids ages 7-9 will enjoy this illustrated chapter book.