Chapter Books for Confident Readers (Grade 5 - 8)

Kids that choose the books they read are much more likely to finish reading their book, so kids that are confidently reading on their own should select books on topics that interest them. Fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels are all great choices that can help support literacy.

Updated May 29, 2025
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House of robots
Patterson, James
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid!   An extraordinary robot enters an ordinary fifth grade class in this hilarious, action-packed start to the #1 bestselling series from James Patterson!
Lions & liars
Beasley, Kate.
Paper Book
Frederick Frederickson has a food-chain theory about life. There are lions, like the school bully. Gazelles, like the bullied kids. There are meerkats, and the fleas that live on the butts of meerkats. Frederick's a flea. Fifth grade is off to a terrible start when Frederick is sent...
The last kids on Earth
Brallier, Max.
Paper Book
A Netflix Original series! The first book in the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series, with over 7 million copies in print! "Terrifyingly fun! Delivers big thrills and even bigger laughs."--Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 ...
Be prepared
Brosgol, Vera
Paper Book
Already love Vera's work? Don't miss her first novel Return to Sender! "Beautifully drawn, brutally funny, brilliantly honest. Vera is such a good cartoonist I almost can't stand it." --Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile In Be Prepared, all...
The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
Now a DreamWorks movie available on Prime Video! This #1 New York Times bestselling illustrated middle grade novel from a Caldecott Honor winner tells an extraordinary story full of action and thought-provoking questions as a robot learns to survive--and...
The wild robot escapes
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
In this second book in the #1 New York Timesbestselling The Wild Robot series by award-winning author Peter Brown, Roz tries to escape home to Brightbill and the island! Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming...
Flunked
Calonita, Jen.
Paper Book
Dive into book one of the best selling Fairy Tale Reform School series, from award-winning author Jen Calonita! What happens to the villains after happily ever after? 12 year old Gilly isn't so sure that she needs reforming for the (former) villains in Enchantasia... Gilly...
Sniffer dogs : how dogs (and their noses) save the world
Castaldo, Nancy F.
Paper Book
Anyone who has ever spent time with a dog knows that dogs love sniffing! They sniff out hidden food, dirty socks, and the visitor who comes to the door.  But some dogs work with police officers, soldiers and even scientists to put their "sniffers" to work.  Sniffer dogs make use of the...
Space case
Gibbs, Stuart
Paper Book
It's a murder mystery on the moon in this humorous and suspenseful space adventure from the author of Belly Up and Spy School that The New York Times Book Review called "a delightful and brilliantly constructed middle grade thriller." Like his fellow...
The evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Kelly, Jacqueline.
Paper Book
In this witty historical fiction middle grade novel set at the turn of the century, an 11-year-old girl explores the natural world, learns about science and animals, and grows up. A Newbery Honor Book. "The most delightful historical novel for tweens in many, many years. ....
A snicker of magic
Lloyd, Natalie.
Paper Book
Introducing an extraordinary new voice---a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten . . .and your heart sing.Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove...
Wish
O'Connor, Barbara
Paper Book
Dream, the standalone companion to Wish, out now! The #1 New York Times-bestselling middle-grade novel about a girl who, with the help of a true-blue friend, a big-hearted aunt and uncle, and the dog of her dreams, unexpectedly learns the true meaning...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME * Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face--who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that...
Bridge to Terabithia
Paterson, Katherine.
Paper Book
The classic Newbery Award-winning title by beloved author Katherine Paterson, with brand-new bonus materials including an author's note by Katherine herself, and a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo.  Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can...
Red : the true story of Red Riding Hood
Shurtliff, Liesl.
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of RUMP, comes a spellbinding fairy tale featuring a brave heroine, a wild wolf, plenty of magical misadventures, and more! Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. She's not afraid of anything . . . except magic. But when...
The bad beginning
Snicket, Lemony.
Paper Book
NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so...
When you reach me
Stead, Rebecca.
Paper Book
"Like A Wrinkle in Time (Miranda's favorite book), When You Reach Me far surpasses the usual whodunit or sci-fi adventure to become an incandescent exploration of 'life, death, and the beauty of it all.'" --The Washington Post This Newbery Medal winner...
The Atlas Obscura explorer's guide for the world's most adventurous kid
Thuras, Dylan.
Paper Book
This New York Times bestseller is a thrilling expedition to 100 of the world's most surprising, mysterious, and weird-but-true places, offering a "delectable sampler of wonders" (Kirkus) perfect for any curious kid fascinated by science, geography, and adventure.
Nevermoor : The trials of Morrigan Crow
Townsend, Jessica
Paper Book
A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any...

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