Favorite Early Chapter Book Series

Has your child started asking to read chapter books? Has your little one started to make the transition to reading longer books and wants to try a chapter book? Do you find yourself wondering through the library wondering just what books your child might like to read? We have the answers for you when it comes to picking the best chapter books for young readers.

We love when our children begin to read chapter books. Finding a few wonderful chapter books series is wonderful because your child will have so many ways to interact with the characters in different environments, feelings, and situations. If you read these chapter books with your child, you may grow to love the characters just as much as your child. Additionally, your child will look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what antics the characters get up to next.

10 Chapter Book Series for Young Readers We Love

These 10 chapter book series are each amazing in their own ways. The books include exceptional language, beautiful pictures, and wonderful learning experiences for young readers. Each chapter book series has incited a love of reading with our little ones. Not only do they look forward to the next book or chance to interact with the characters, but they also start to desire more of the series. Our youngest even asks the librarians for books in her favorite series.

Magic Tree House

The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne is a great series for your adventure lover. These books transport your child through history as two young children work together to solve a mystery. While these books are a series, they are more loosely connected and do not have to be read in order. These books are mostly written at a guided reading level M and a lexile level of 300-500. The books range in guided reading level from L – O.

Mary Pope Osborne took the Magic Tree House series to a new level by pairing each fiction story with a nonfiction companion book. Each Fact Tracker brings to life the history behind the fiction story. When your child begs for more Jack and Annie, dive into the Merlin’s Mysteries series as well. The Fact Tracker books and Merlin’s Mysteries are written a bit higher. The Fact Tracker books range in guided reading level from M – S, which most in the P/Q range and a lexile level of 700-900. The Merlin Mysteries series has a guided reading level of M-Q and a lexile range of 400-600.

When your child is just beginning to read chapter books, these books may be a little high to read on their own. We have found that these are perfect for reading together with our children or even reading aloud to them to explore the world of chapter books.

A to Z Mysteries

A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy – these books will capture your child’s reading attention as they dive in to solve a new mystery with each book. Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose will delight your little reader with the silly antics and super creative sleuthing skills. These books are mostly written at a guided reading level N and a lexile level of 500-600.

You can collect the entire alphabet and if your kids love these as much as ours, you’ll love the super editions too. If you are looking for something similar but geared towards a lower reading level, check out Ron Roy’s Calendar Mysteries. Looking for even more mysteries, try the Capital Mysteries series. The Calendar Mysteries series is written at a guided reading level M or N and a lexile level of 450-600, while the Capital Mysteries series is written at a guided reading level of N or O and a lexile level of 500-600.

Dragon Masters

Dragon Masters by Tracey West – we just adore the Dragon Master’s series with the fast paced-plots to hold our child’s interest. These are truly a chapter book for the novice chapter book reader with pictures on most pages and easy to read sentences. The young dragon masters are working to train their dragons to combat an evil wizard. These books have a guided reading level of O/P and a lexile level of 500-600.

Who wouldn’t want to be a dragon master? Join Drake and his friends Ana, Rory, and Bo as they meet the dragons, begin to train and bond with the dragons, and meet new dragon masters along the way. The books do build upon one another, but can be read out of order. Just be sure to read book 1: Rise of the Earth Dragon first.

Who Would Win?

The Who Would Win series by Jerry Pallotta – while not quite a chapter book, these books are divided into sections similar to chapters and are longer than most early readers. These books introduce two deadly animals and determine who would win in a deadly battle between the two. These books are written at a guided reading level of O-Q and a lexile level of 600-700.

As your child reads these books, they will learn so many interesting facts about the two animals. Each book is filled with facts and characteristics about the animals from the animal’s speed, strength, habitat, brain structures, body, special abilities, and diet.

I Survived

I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis – these books will help bring history to life for your child. The I Survived series tells an action packed from history through the eyes of a kid who survived the experience. This historical fiction series peeks into some of the world’s most extraordinary events. These books are written at a guided reading level of Q-T and a lexile level of 500-700 and do not need to be read in order.

Your child will not be able to put the book down as they fall in love with the children and historical events. Nothing brings history more alive for children than hearing about history through a child’s perspective. If your reader thrives on graphic novels, there is an I Survived Graphic Novel series as well. Each book includes a nonfiction section at the back with real facts and photos. These books have a guided reading level of R-T and a lexile level of 400-600.

The Secret Explorers

The Secret Explorers Series by S.J. King – this fiction chapter book series will take your child on a new adventure with each book. The high adventure, character driven stories will inspire your child to discover their world. Eight amazing kids come together, using their areas of expertise, to solve mysteries and fix problems all over the globe. These books have a lexile range between 500-600.

Did you love the Magic Tree House series? The Secret Explorers series will take you on new adventures around our planet while learning ways to save it. These books are jammed pack with facts and beautiful images to immerse your child in globally important STEM concepts such as space exploration and saving our rainforest. Through these stories, your child will grow to love reading by learning more about the world around them.

Magic on The Map

Magic on the Map Series by Courtney Sheinmel and Bianca Turetsky – Magic on the Map has chaptered our hearts as we explore the United States. This series invites the reader to travel along with twin Finn and Molly as they explore different states in the United States. Jump in and take a ride in their magical camper as you learn more about our wonderful world. These books are mostly written at a guided reading level O and a lexile level in the 500s.

If your child loved the Magic Tree House series or the Secret Explorers series, they will fall in love with this series as well. Each book includes a US map and a state map and state specific facts too. Come along on each new adventure and learn why each state is special.

Beast Quest

Beast Quest Series by Adam Blade – enter the world of mythical creatures, otherwise known as beasts. Join Tom as he fights to break an evil wizard’s spell on the magical beasts of Avantia. These beasts, who once protected the kingdom, are now destroying it instead. These fast paced, action adventure stories will keep you engaged from start to finish. These books are written at a guided reading level of M-R and a lexile level of 600-700.

If your child is a fan of mythical creatures, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, or Dragon Masters, be sure to check out these wonderful books. These books do build upon each other, but each book features a different beast from Avantia.

The Magnificient Makers

The Magnificent Makers series by Theanne Griffith – these books help to bring science alive for your young reader. The characters and their adventures will draw your child into the wonderful world of science. Enter the world of riddles, challenges, and magical portals as your child explores everyday STEM concepts. These books are mostly written at a guided reading level of Q and lexile level of 400-500.

If your child is a fan of the Magical School Bus series, nature, science, robots, and experiments, these books are the perfect chapter books to explore . Each book include two science activities that your child can try at home. The materials used in each science activity are commonly found at home.

My Weird School

My Weird School Series by Dan Gutman – welcome to Ella Mentry school, where nothing is as you expect. These humorous school stories will draw your child in as they laugh along with the characters and enjoy the wild antics. Never a bored moment while reading My Weird School books. These books are mostly written at a guided reading level O with a lexile level of 500-600.

Think Sideways Stories from Wayside School, but even weirder. These are the perfect stories for a child who loves to laugh and enjoys when something strange happens. Be sure to bring your imagination and don’t worry if you can’t put the book down, neither could we.

Sharing Chapter Books with Your Young Child

You are amazing! By taking the time to find the just right next series for your young reader, you are giving your child a special gift. This is a gift that will keep on giving for each new book in the series that your child can’t wait to get their hands on and devour.

We love, love, love books in our home! But finding that just right book for your young reader isn’t always so easy. We have found that the best trick to find books that your child will love to read is to find books that you always enjoy. By reading the books together, you help to spark some magic into your child’s reading and can continue the conversation about the book long after reading is over. These are our favorite early chapter book series, which ones do you love? Which series did we miss? Drop us a comment below and let us know.

If your little one isn’t quite ready to read chapter books on their own, you can explore chapter books together. Our children love listening to chapter books just as much as picture books. Reading some of these chapter books aloud to your child can help them to fall in love with the stories and motivate your child to read, read, read.

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Are you ready to dive into some reading skills with your child? Check out our Learning to Read Series, beginning with Developing Interest. This series works through most beginning reader skills to help boost your child’s reading, especially fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Don’t forget our Parent’s Guide to Reading Comprehension. Looking for other ways to help your child to grow? Try some family board games, to help grow your child’s attention span and language skills, and be sure not to miss our tips on developing a good pencil grasp.

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