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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LEGO Minecraft Visual Dictionary Scholastic
DK.
Explore the adventurous world of LEGO Minecraft with DK's latest Visual Dictionary! Journey through 13 years of LEGO Minecraft and discover everything you need to know about iconic locations, items, and mobs. See every brick-built detail of the hostile warden, investigate the...
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 A graphic novel
Martin, Ann M.
Paper Book
Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of : The Things We Make with Plants
Drori, Jonathan.
Paper Book
Did you know that there's seaweed in ice cream, cork in spacecraft and dandelion in truck tyres? Have you wondered how paper or thread are made, or why the mandrake is so mysterious? Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, this book of wonder gives a young reader the...
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 satisfied....
Legend of Chocolate Hills (Geronimo Stilton #85)
Stilton, Geronimo.
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...
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...
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...
Noob's Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior : The Epic Feast
Cube Kid, Cube.
Paper Book
An all-new unofficial Minecraft warrior adventure series for young readers from bestselling author Cube Kid! This story follows Runt, a villager who longs to be a warrior. He isn't interested in carrot culture, and he definitely isn't interested in selling them in trade. When...
Ghost on the Mountain
Jones, Kyandreia;Mal.
Paper Book
Choose from 9 possible endings in this interactive Choose Your Own Adventure book for 5- to 8-year-old readers! Choose Your Own Adventure books-the 4th bestselling children's series of all time-are now for little kids, too! Filled with colorful illustrations on...
Ricky Ricotta's mighty robot
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
From Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants, and acclaimed artist Dan Santat, an out-of-this-world friendship adventure with all-new full-color illustrations!Meet Ricky Ricotta, a little mouse with a big problem!Ricky Ricotta lives in Squeakyville with his mom and dad. Ricky has a hard time...
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...
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...
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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