Beginner Chapter Books

Kids that are beginning to more confidently read longer books on their own are more likely to read a book if they choose the book themselves. This list of books has a wide variety of topics to engage any reader. Fiction or non-fiction, graphic novels or traditional books are all great ways for kids to read, so let them choose their own their own this summer whether from this list or from the shelf.

Updated May 20, 2026
L
Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2026
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Karen's sleepover A graphic novel
Martin, Ann M.
Ebook
Salma makes a home
Ramadan, Ahmad Danny.
Paper Book
A 2023 NYPL Best Book for Kids! Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven...
Rain forest relay
Earhart, Kristin.
Paper Book
On a once-in-a-lifetime race through the animal kingdom, it takes smarts, strength, and skill to win!When Russell entered the race, he knew it was going to be a wild ride. Especially the first race course! He'd been studying up on the Amazon's animals and culture forever. But nothing could...
Anne arrives : inspired by Anne of Green Gables
George, K.
Paper Book
The charming first book in a new early-reader series, starring the spirited -- and outspoken -- Anne Shirley as she first arrives at Green Gables. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm, so they've adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead,...
My father's dragon
Gannett, Ruth Stiles.
Paper Book
When Elmer Elevator hears about the plight of an overworked and underappreciated baby flying dragon, he stows away on a ship and travels to Wild Island to rescue the dragon. This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades 2-3, Stories) in Appendix B
Hydrant-Hydra: a Branches Book (the Binder of Doom #4)
Cummings, Troy.
Paper Book
The Super Secret Monster Patrol battles the Hydrant-Hydra, a clean-freak water monster!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and...
Eva Saves the Day: a Branches Book (Owl Diaries #22)
Elliott, Rebecca.
Paper Book
In the next installment of this New York Times bestselling early chapter book series, Eva and her friends find and take care of some mysterious eggs! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly...
Ricky Ricotta's mighty robot
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
From Dav Pilkey, the worldwide bestselling author-illustrator of Dog Man, and award-winning illustrator Dan Santat comes an out-of-this-world friendship adventure in full color! Meet Ricky Ricotta, a little mouse with a big problem! Ricky Ricotta lives in Squeakyville with his mom...
Box Tales: Grow, Strawberries, Grow!
Burks, James.
Paper Book
"Fun, expressive, informative, and imaginative! I want a box full of these books!" --Ben Clanton, New York Times bestselling author of the Narwhal and Jelly A trilogy of fun, charming, and how-to stories following the curious and spunky Beatrix and Box-With a Bonus...
SCRAM : Society of Creatures Real and Magical
Lucey, Rory.
Paper Book
Rockhurst is your average suburban town. It has everything you'd expect: happy families, fun shops...and magical creatures! In the hopes of learning more about the local cryptids, three friends, Jenny, Emiko, and Brian, start the Society of Creatures Real and Magical--S.C.R.A.M.!...
The princess in Black
Hale, Shannon.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess...
Mercy Watson is missing!
DiCamillo, Kate.
Ebook
Every favorite character from Kate DiCamillo's New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books makes an appearance in this extended, riotously funny series crescendo. When Mercy Watson the pig goes missing, all of Deckawoo Drive is in an uproar. The Watsons are...
Doggo and Pupper search for cozy
Adler, Charlie.
Paper Book
Fans of Frog and Toad will enjoy this conclusion to the Doggo and Pupper early reader trilogy by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Katherine Applegate. When Cat announces that the Humans have given her a surprise present, Doggo and Pupper...
Coco : my delicious life
May, Kyla.
Paper Book
Lotus Lane . . . where friendships bloom!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is 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...
Battle of the boss-monster
Cummings, Troy.
Paper Book
The Super Secret Monster Patrol FINALLY comes face-to-face with the boss-monster!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on...
Curse of the shadow dragon
West, Tracey.
Paper Book
Drake and Worm meet a Shadow Dragon in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text...
Ghost of the Woods (Thea Stilton #37)
Stilton, Thea.
Paper Book
Join Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters on an adventure packed with mystery and friendship!The Thea Sisters head to Ireland!
The case of the weird blue chicken : the next misadventure
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
Now an animated series on Disney Junior! The Chicken Squad is back for their second (mis)adventure, and this time they're solving the mystery of a kidnapped...HOUSE? A hilarious chapter book from the bestselling author of Click, Clack, Moo and The Trouble with...
A big day for baseball
Osborne, Mary Pope
Audiobook
Meet Jackie Robinson and solve a mystery in the #1 bestselling Magic Tree House chapter book series!   PLAY BALL! Jack and Annie aren't great baseball players . . . yet! Then Morgan the librarian gives them magical baseball caps that will make them experts. They just need to...
Wildfire rescue
Rajan, Rekha S.
Paper Book
The Disaster Squad is ready to save the day in this action-packed early chapter book series perfect for fans of the Magic Tree House series, or for kids who aren't quite ready to read I Survived! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line...

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