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
This is your list in printable form. Simply print this page using your browser's print command.

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.

Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
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 (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #9): Volume 9
Martin, Ann M
Paper Book
It's fun to be a Baby-sitters Little Sister! Karen's having her first sleepover ever! She and her friends are going to tell spooky stories, try on makeup, and raid the refrigerator. But then Karen and Nancy get into a big fight. Karen doesn't want Nancy to come to her party. A new girl...
Anne arrives : inspired by Anne of Green Gables
George, K.
Paper Book
Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm, so they've adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead, Matthew finds Anne awaiting him at the train station - imaginative, brash, redheaded Anne-with-an-e. With her place at the Cuthberts' at risk - particularly if nosy...
Cars : engines that move you
Zettwoch, Dan.
Paper Book
In Dan Zettwoch's Science Comics: Cars, you'll learn where cars came from and how they work. When you pop the hood, what are you looking at? How does gasoline--or electric batteries, or even steam--make a car move? Rev up your motor and take look at the combustible history of the...
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
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...
Legend of Chocolate Hills (Geronimo Stilton #85)
Stilton, Geronimo.
Paper Book
When you're with Geronimo Stilton, it's always a fabumouse adventure!I was so excited for the relaxing, stress-free day I had planned. But nothing ever goes my way. I got a mysterimouse letter from an old friend asking for my help solving a case. There were giant footprints in Chocolate Hills, and...
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...
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...
Cornbread & Poppy for the win
Cordell, Matthew
Paper Book
PRAISE FOR CORNBREAD & POPPY (Book 1): An IndieBound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book ★ "A rewarding choice for young readers."--Booklist,...
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...
Just Grace
Harper, Charise Mericle.
CD
One Illicit Night
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, "easy to read" (Booklist) chapter book from the bestselling author of Click, Clack, Moo<...
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...
Find this list online

https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/250.976/list/5408

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.