*Affiliate links may be present in these chapter books for young readers. If you do click and make a purchase, I will make a small commission on this.
Probably comes as no real surprise here for those who follow my blog, but I love to read.
Because I love to read, I have instilled this love of reading with my own kids.
See from the time they were younger, I read to them. First it was very early baby books with small simple words and concepts.
Slowly, they began to read these books to me. Then, they began to read story type books with me. Later on, to me.
And most recently, both my girls are now actually into and ready chapter books to me and by themselves, as well.
Each step of the way, I made sure to do my homework and find books that were not only age appropriate, but fun to read with them.
Therefore, now that we are at the chapter book stage, I have done the same.
My girls have their own reading style. My older daughter tends to go for chapter books that have a bit more of a serious nature, but still can be fun to read. While my younger girl, loves reading anything that is funny and makes her laugh out loud.
So, I thought since we have recently gotten more and more into chapter books here, I would share some of those that they have read, as well as those that they are hoping to read, too.
Here are the 15 fun chapter books kid approved…
♥ Dork Diaries
This series follows Nikki Maxwell. In the first installment, she’s starting eighth grade at a new school—and her very first diary is packed with hilarious stories and art in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
♥ Bad Kitty
Each chapter book in this series find kitty meeting up with a new challenge. It is how she handles each one that makes these books so special and humorous, too.
♥ Dog Man
There’s a new breed of justice in town, and he’s ready to sniff out criminals — as soon as he stops chasing his own tail! It’s Dog Man, the crime-biting canine who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!
♥ Diary of a Wimpy Kid
While Dork Diaries is about a middle school girl. This one is about a boy at a similar age with Greg Heffley who finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary in each and every installment in this series.
♥ Junie B. Jones
Junie B. Jones is about a sassy little girl in elementary school that finds herself in all sorts of trouble, but somehow manages to endear us and entertain us all in this series at the same time.
♥ Judy Moody
Third grade Judy Moody begins this series by being in a mad-face mood after returning from summer vacation and continues to entertain all in this edition and subsequent, as well.
♥ Owl Diaries
This series is part of Scholastic’s very early chapter book line called Branches, which is actually aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina, while helping young readers to grow following the tales of the cute and lovable owls in the forest.
♥ Captain Underpants
This series revolves around two fourth-grade boys, who write comic books and who love to pull pranks find themselves in big trouble.
♥ The Never Girls
In a blink of an eye, this chapter series finds four best friends all get their biggest wish when they’re whisked off to Never Land, which is home to Tinker Bell and her fairy friends.
♥ The Princess in Black
This series starts off with a bang with Princess Magnolia who is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when… Brring! Brring!. The monster alarm! Stopping monsters is no job for prim and perfect Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret: She’s also the Princess in Black! Follow the Princess in Black’s adventures.
♥ Ramona
Ah, sisters! Beverly Cleary delivers a humorous tale of the ups and downs of sisterhood. See having a little sister like four-year-old Ramona isn’t always easy for Beezus Quimby. With a wild imagination, disregard for order, and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be!
♥ The Baby Sitters Club
This one has become graphic novels since the days when I read it as a kid. But the premise is still the same with Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding members of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up — cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbors, prank calls — you can count on them to save the day. Baby-sitting isn’t always easy, and neither is dealing with strict parents, new families, fashion emergencies, and mysterious secrets. But no matter what, the BSC have what they need most: friendship.
♥ Judy Blume Books, such as Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
What can I say about Judy Blume that hasn’t been said before? But just had to include her here as her chapter books have been entertaining for decades of young readers, especially Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. this one is part of her Fudge series. See in this installment, two is a crowd when Peter and his little brother, Fudge, are in the same room. Grown-ups think Fudge is absolutely adorable, but Peter and his pet turtle, Dribble, know the truth. From throwing temper tantrums to smearing mashed potatoes on the wall, Fudge causes mischief wherever he goes!
♥ Roald Dahl’s Books (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, The BFG)
Roald Dahl is just the classic young kids’ chapter author and their are just too many too to review here in this one space. But suffice it to say any of the aforementioned titles are worthy contenders to read for all young kids.
♥ American Girl Doll Series
From the famous Doll Store makers, there are countless chapter books written about all of their doll characters, such as the current and former dolls of the year, the period dolls and more. For all American Girl Doll lovers, these are for you.
There you have it 15 young reader chapter books that have been truly approved by my own two young readers.
Do your kids love to read?
What chapter books have they read?
Share with us in the comments…
Nellie says
Thank you SO MUCH for this!! I can’t wait to have my son browse through these titles–we have a LOT of comic books around here but not nearly enough chapter books.
Janine says
Omg, you are so welcome, Nellie and all the adult reading I share here I thought it was high time I give the kids their due respect, too 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
Oh yay! I needed some good recommendations for my kiddos–thanks for sharing!
Janine says
Awesome and always so happy to share with you, Meredith!!! 🙂
Cynthia says
Some of those I’ve read as a kid, and some are definitely new. I’m taking notes, too, because in our afterschool program, I do the book ordering. I can tell that some of these we don’t have – like the Bad Kitty. I think our kiddos would LOVE that! 😀
I know that the more you read to kids when they’re young, the higher probability they will grow up to be readers. Good for you – the educator in me is beaming proudly. Sending hugs!
Janine says
I am so happy this can help you with ordering for the after school program that you run. As for Bad Kitty, my younger daughter absolutely loves that series and is a big reason she begged to read at night with me to see what Bad Kitty was up to next. So totally recommend that one. Big hugs right back as always!! 🙂 <3
Dara says
These are great choices and my kids have read some of them! Zachary loves the Who Was series and has read a ton of those!
Janine says
Thank you so much, Dara and off to check that series out, too 🙂
Seana Turner says
Many familiar authors here. Reading is just wonderful. If you can find something your child wants to read, it is a victory. Also, if your child doesn’t like to sit still, see if you can get any of these on audio. They can walk or fidget or whatever and still be a reader!!
Janine says
Great additional advice, Seana. I happen to be lucky that my girls love to sit and read, but agree audio is also a great alternative for both kids and adults alike 😉
AnnMarie John says
I remember when my oldest was growing up, she devoured all those Junie B. Jones books and I actually read a few with her and they were pretty good. My boys are into the Diary of a Wimpy Kids and Madison likes me reading the American Girl ones to her. I will have to look into the others. Great selections!
Janine says
Believe it or not, I actually read a few of the earlier editions of Diary of A Wimpy Kid, so was excited when my daughter wanted to read from this series as gave me an excuse to read them again, as well 🙂
William Holland says
I’m passing this on since I have no young readers in my family. Thanks for the recommendations and have a superb Monday!
Janine says
Totally understand and thanks for sharing, as well as for stopping by. Happy Monday once again, Bill!! 🙂
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I love that you encourage children to read. My oldest daughter started reading at 2-1/2 and still loves to read today. I believe because of her love for knowledge it help her so much in medical school. My youngest daughter at 14 years old still LOVES the American Girl books. She was reading one just last night. They are great books!
Thanks for sharing,
Diane Roark
Janine says
Diane, I can’t agree more and definitely agree about reading and a kid’s thirst for knowledge. Loved learning how it helped shape Carly’s future and also your younger daughter’s love for reading, too! 😉
Kenya G. Johnson says
Christopher is a Diary of a Wimpy kid fan. I thought he’d outgrown wanting to read them and he was caught up but one day he came home and told me that the next one was going to be released on such and such date. I think it was close to Christmas or around his birthday so I got it for him. He also still has them all. He said he will keep them forever. We will see. LOL
Janine says
Aw, I love that Christopher is going to keep these books forever and definitely could see why as I have said even as an adult I am a true fan of this series, too 🙂
Kathy Radigan says
My boys love the Wimpy Kid books and my daughter loved the AG book! Great list! Thanks!
Janine says
Thanks again, Kathy for sharing with me and sharing this for me, too 🙂
Jennifer Bly says
Wonderful selections Janine!
My oldest daughter LOVES the Diary of Wimpy Kid Series and the Dork Diary Series! She seriously can’t get enough of them.
I want to do the BFG as a read-aloud with my girls this summer.
Thanks for the recommendations! Wishing you a lovely week!
xoxo
Janine says
So happy to recommend to you, too and thanks also for sharing for me, as well. Wishing you a lovely week now, too xoxo 🙂
Mary says
My love for reading started at an early age, I loved the Baby-Sitters Club, Goose Bumps, Beezus and Ramona and anything by Roald Dahl. It’s pretty cool to learn so of my favorites are still around Janine 🙂
Janine says
Aw, Mary I am truly happy to share that these favorites are still all the rage and around!! 🙂
Rea says
Thank you for sharing these! Reiko’s favorite still remains to be The Lion King but I’m also looking into other books that he would love as well.
Janine says
Happy to recommend and The Lion King is a favorite here, as well still 🙂
Tamara says
I’m totally nodding along here but I need to tell you that Jeff Kinney was at my town on Saturday. Half of Scarlet’s class lined up for two hours to get his autograph. He was so nice!! We haven’t read the books, but she thought it was pretty cool.
Janine says
OK, so I have to agree with Scarlet as meeting Jeff Kinney would be pretty darn cool to me, too 🙂
catherine gacad says
i put these books on my list for when franco gets older! yay for books!
Janine says
So glad you could add these and agree, “Yay for books!” 😉
Aunt Gloria says
These books look like fun reads. Glad the girls are following your love for reading. I don’t make time to read books, but I prefer to listen to them on tape. I don’t do much of that either. I like the visual approach…..TV and movies. Love to all……xxoo
Janine says
Aw, totally understand and love to you, too Aunt Gloria!! xoxo 🙂
Marilyn says
Thanks for the recommendations. I am an adult and I still enjoy the American Girl books. I do prefer the original American Girl books with the history details at the end of the books. I do not understand why they eliminated the history.
Marilyn
Janine says
I am a history buff, Marilyn so I wouldn’t like that either in all honesty.
Leslie says
Oh goodness. My oldest loves so many of these series. Captain Underpants was a favorite from a young age, but she’s been plowing through all the Dork Diaries books lately. My little one loves it when we read Ivy & Bean books to her, too. Those are definitely good for a laugh. Thanks for all the other recommendations as well!
Janine says
Happy to recommend and sounds like our girls would be fast friends judging from heir reading choices!! 🙂
Christine Carter says
These are AWESOME BOOKS!! I remember my kids reading so many of them!! Such great choices, Janine! I love that your girls are loving the books and love to read too!
I’m not surprised, knowing their mom. 🙂
Janine says
Aw, thanks Chris and just so happy to share the books they love here 😉
Jen says
There are a few on this list I have not read yet with my kiddo. Score! Definitely pinning. Thanks for sharing!
Janine says
Yay and thank you so much for pinning, too!! 🙂