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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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.

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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. (Matthews), 1955-
Paper Book
Karen is so excited. Her father is allowing her to have her first sleepover and all the girls in her class are invited. Even Pamela, the popular new girl, is coming. But Pamela turns out to be a real drag. She doesn't like pizza, and she refuses to sleep on the floor. She's going to ruin the whole...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
Space and Beyond
Montgomery, R. A.
Paper Book
Hurtle through space in this interactive book where YOU decide what happens next! Packed with 44 possible endings! Choose Your Own Adventure books-the 4th bestselling children's series of all time-are back and as much fun as you remember. Kids and adults agree, these are the...
Eva saves the day /
Elliott, Rebecca.
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...
Ultimate slime : totally borax free!
Jagan, Alyssa
Paper Book
Get creative and find peace within by making your very own oddly satisfying, borax-free slimes with this visually enticing book of photo-illustrated tutorials. Scientific studies have found that playing with slime can dramatically decrease stress levels. These soothing...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
Boris on the move
Joyner, Andrew (Illustrator)
Paper Book
A new early chapter book series where adventure is always just around the corner.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,...
Just Grace /
Harper, Charise Mericle.
Paper Book
Grace loves cats. She also loves taking pictures of cats and drawing Not-So Super comics. She doesn’t like Sammy Stringer, a boy in her class. She’s got lots and lots of ideas, and when her neighbor’s cat goes missing, Grace does her best to make Mrs. Luther feel less lonely....
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...
Dragon Masters :
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...
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...
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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/525.859/list/5408

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