Beginner Chapter Books (Grade 3 - 4)

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 29, 2025
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Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2025
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The animal body book : an insider's guide to the world of animal anatomy
French, Jess.
Paper Book
Join children's author and vet Dr Jess French and explore how animal bodies work, and the amazing things they can do. The Animal Body Book is a friendly introduction to animal anatomy, perfect for any child fascinated by animals or budding veterinarians. With...
Bad Kitty meets the baby
Bruel, Nick
Paper Book
Kitty's owners are home with a big surprise for Kitty. But what is it? Kitty, reeling in horror, thinks it's a . . . dog. The neighbor cats are convinced it's a cat. But we all know that it's really a BABY! With Nick Bruel's trademark mix of antic humor (this time involving a Kitty...
Better together
George, K.
Paper Book
Courage, kindness, and adventure abounds in this charming, illustrated chapter book series about a mouse discovering the true meaning of home.  Spring has come to Fernwood Forest, and the Heartwood Hotel is all a-bustle. With Mr. Heartwood off on vacation, it's...
A boy called Bat
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
The first book in a funny, heartfelt, and irresistible young middle grade series starring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum, from acclaimed author Elana K. Arnold and with illustrations by Charles Santoso. For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to...
The busy tree
Ward, Jennifer
Paper Book
Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree's activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web,...
Clementine
Pennypacker, Sara
Paper Book
This delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader...
The complete cookbook for young chefs
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times Best Seller and IACP Award Winner! Want to bake the most-awesome-ever cupcakes? Or surprise your family with breakfast tacos on Sunday morning? Looking for a quick snack after school? Or maybe something special for a sleepover? It's all here. Learn...
Cornbread & Poppy
Cordell, Matthew
Paper Book
An IndieBound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book ★ "A rewarding choice for young readers."--Booklist, starred review ★"Cornbread and Poppy are endearing...
Center of the universe
Hanlon, Abby
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Dory joins her first soccer team in this bestselling, laugh-out-loud chapter book series about an imaginative little rascal with a big personality. Perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean! "Some of the best children's literature in years....
Dragons and marshmallows
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
A New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2017 Selection. A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. Illinois Monarch Award Nominee 2018-2019. Florida SSYRA Book Award Nominee 2018-2019. Washington OTTER Award Nominee 2018-2019. With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new series...
Dragons in a bag
Elliott, Zetta
Paper Book
The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering...
Draw with Art for Kids Hub cute & funny foods : 30 step-by-step drawing projects inside!
Jensen, Rob
Paper Book
Join the Art for Kids Hub family in their first-ever book series as they share super-fun, food-themed drawing activities. Draw with Art for Kids Hub: Cute and Funny Foods brings the best of Art for Kids Hub to the printed page! Featuring popular hits from the...
The epic guide to Dragon Masters
West, Tracey
Paper Book
Calling all Dragon Masters! This is the guidebook that no Dragon Master should be without -- featuring full-color artwork on every page!Kids love reading all about the Dragon Masters' adventures in Tracey West's New York Times bestselling Dragon Masters early chapter book series. Now...
Eve of the Emperor penguin
Osborne, Mary Pope
Paper Book
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Jack and Annie arrive on the one continent they haven't visited before: Antarctica! What can they hope to learn about happiness in such a barren place? Only...
Fake snakes and weird wizards
Winkler, Henry
Paper Book
In the fourth book of this bestselling easy-to-read series, Hank sets out to save his sister's birthday! Hank's sister Emily wants Ralph's Reptile Show to perform at her birthday party more than anything, but Ralph is booked solid. So Hank comes up with a plan: he'll disguise...
The great big paw print
Green, Poppy.
Paper Book
Sophie Mouse discovers a giant paw print in Pine Needle Grove--and follows it right into a bear's den--in the ninth charming book of The Adventures of Sophie Mouse series! While Sophie and her friends are exploring Sassafras Alley, they come across a huge paw print. They have...
How Technology Works : From Monster Trucks to Mars Rovers
DK.
Paper Book
Get inside the machinery of the modern world and understand the science that makes it all work with this all-in-one encyclopedia. Make technology fun, fascinating, and accessible with this inspiring guide for children aged 9+ that explains the machinery of everyday life. ...
Lost treasure of the emerald eye
Stilton, Geronimo.
Paper Book
Re-enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will loveWho Is Geronimo Stilton?That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure....
Moldylocks and the three beards
Jones, Noah
Paper Book
Noah Z. Jones turns well-known fairy tales upside-down in this humorous new series!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...
My book of horses and ponies
Maxwell, Abi.
Paper Book
An exciting first guide to the magnificent world of horses. Learn all about horses, from how to care for them to how to ride one, in this informative children's guide to horse and pony care. Covering favorite breeds, from Shire horse to Shetland pony, what kit to use,...
Narwhal : unicorn of the sea
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick, Jelly.
Once upon a Tim
Gibbs, Stuart
Paper Book
Join New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs in this first book in a hilarious, highly illustrated new middle grade series about a peasant boy who wants to be a knight, perfect for fans of Max & the Midknights. Tim is just a peasant, but he dreams big. He wants more...
Plagues and pandemics
Messner, Kate.
Paper Book
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about history's pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. During the Black Death in the 14th century, plague doctors wore creepy beaked masks filled...
Princess Cora and the crocodile
Schlitz, Laura Amy
Paper Book
A Newbery Medalist and a Caldecott Medalist join forces to give an overscheduled princess a day off -- and a deliciously wicked crocodile a day on. Princess Cora is sick of boring lessons. She's sick of running in circles around the dungeon gym. She's sick, sick, sick of...
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...
The skull : a Tyrolean folktale
Klassen, Jon
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! A Kirkus Book Prize Finalist! A New York Times Best Children's Chapter Book the Year A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of the Year Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author...
Skunk and Badger
Timberlake, Amy
Paper Book
A Best Book of 2020: People * Kirkus Reviews * Booklist  * School Library Journal * Publishers Weekly * Shelf Awareness for Readers * New York Public Library * Chicago Public Library * Evanston...
Tater tales. 2, The king of the world!
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
A mutant potato learns that with great power comes great re-spud-sibility in this second installment of the hilariously silly graphic chapter book series from the bestselling creator of the Narwhal and Jelly books. Rot is ready for another adventure and this time he's going...
The trouble with chickens : a J.J. Tully mystery
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
* Online discussion guide * Paperback giveaway of at 2012 TLA or 2012 IRA
Willa the wisp
Auxier, Jonathan
Paper Book
The Fabled Stables are home to oneofakind creatures. Creatures like the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Bizzybees, and Auggie. Auggie is the only human boy on the island, and he takes care of all the other creatures. Sometimes, the Stables make space for new arrivals. When this happens,...
Wow, Canada! : exploring this land from coast to coast to coast
Bowers, Vivien
Paper Book
What could be more fun than a cross-country car trip with your parents and your younger sister? Twelve-year-old Guy can think of lots of things, but even he's won over with this adventure. His family's surprise-filled travels take them from one end of Canada to the other, even up to Nunavut, the...

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