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
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Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2026
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Ellie, engineer
Pearce, Jackson.
Paper Book
"Look out, Junie B. Jones! Ellie the engineer is thinking, making, creating, and showing enthusiasm and brilliance with her creations!" -School Library Connection A charming, hilarious illustrated middle grade about a girl who is an engineer--no, not the kind on a...
The first misadventure
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
Now an animated series on Disney Junior! They're darling. They're daring. They know their shapes! They're chicks on a mission--and on this, their first (mis)adventure, the Chicken Squad launches a galactic backyard expedition. Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt,...
Karen's Sleepover
Martin, Ann M.
Digital file
Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of : The Things We Make with Plants
Drori, Jonathan.
Paper Book
Children's Book Council's 2026 Librarian Favorite  Jonathan Drori brings life to the science of 30 plants, revealing how their worlds are entwined with our own in this beautiful one-of-a-kind family book. Did you know that there's seaweed in ice cream, cork...
My father's dragon
Gannett, Ruth Stiles
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR BOOK * The beloved tale of a boy on a daring quest to rescue a dragon, featuring the original black-and-white illustrations "Irresistible . . . a real delight."--The New Yorker Now a Netflix animated film featuring the voices of Jacob...
Bad Kitty gets a phone
Bruel, Nick.
Paper Book
Bad Kitty gets her very own phone in this full color graphic novel in Nick Bruel's New York Times bestselling series. Kitty has everything any cat could want--a warm bed, plenty of fresh litter, and a machine that dispenses food whenever she wants! But Kitty isn't...
Art lab for kids : 52 creative adventures in drawing, painting, printmaking, paper, and mixed media
Schwake, Susan.
Paper Book
A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist's own voice, marks, and style.
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...
A Noob's Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior : Bit Warrior
Cube Kid
Digital file
Ultimate slime : totally borax free!
Jagan, Alyssa
Paper Book
Make DIY slime of all kinds! Kids will love this new spin on the classic science project when they make crunchy slime, fluffy slime, fishbowl slime, and so many more!
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...
Anishinaabek: the People and Nations
Meness, Jennifer.
Paper Book
The Anishinaabek are a rich nation with teachings and practices passed down from generation to generation. Explore more about the people and nations through Anishinaabek author Jennifer Meness. Dr. Jennifer Meness, Bawajigan Waabanong (Dreams Tomorrow's Dawn) is Migizi minwa Bine Dodemok from the...
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.
Paper Book
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 inconsolable...
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...
Children's Quick and Easy Cookbook : Over 60 Simple Recipes
Wilkes, Angela.
Paper Book
A perfect first cookbook to start your kitchen adventure, with more than 60 recipes for young chefs to try. Feel right at home in the kitchen with this first cookbook for budding chefs! With over 60 recipes, there's something for every occasion: super-fast snacks, speedy main...
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...
Welcome home!
Earhart, Kristin.
Paper Book
In this first book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague, siblings Willa and Ben Dunlap begin their new life on Chincoteague Island. Ten-year-old Willa Dunlap and her eight-year-old brother Ben are new to Chincoteague Island, but it...
A big day for baseball
Osborne, Mary Pope
Paper Book
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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