In case you missed them, you’ll want to check out the other posts in this series which offer suggestions for books to read to babies, books to read to young children and books for beginning readers.
—————————————————-
Once my kids have mastered learning to read simple books on their own, jumping into beginning chapter books feels like such an accomplishment for them. They think it is so cool to say, “Mom, I just read two chapters!” or “Wow, this book has twelve chapters in it!” Never mind that the chapters might be three pages long with large print. Reading “chapter books” is a really big deal for kids and a wonderful way to transition them toward bigger chapter books.
I think I say this about every stage of reading…but reading chapter books might be my favorite part of watching my kids learn to read. Really, have I said this about every stage? I think I have. Can every stage be my favorite? Yes, let’s say that it can. There are so many great books at every reading level…it is so much fun to experience these books with my kids!
I’ll list for you now some of the favorite beginning chapter books at our house. Keep in mind, all of my kids are boys…and so far they’ve liked all of these (yes, even good ol’ Ramona)!
Ramona the Pest - and all the books in the “Ramona Series”, by Beverly Cleary are pretty hard to beat. It is so much fun to read about all the mischief Ramona gets herself into, and in some way most kids can all relate. I remember reading these books when I was a little girl. It is so much fun to re-live them now with my kids. I even hear there’s a Ramona and Beezus movie out! Anybody seen it? Is it worth watching?
Also by Beverly Cleary is Henry and Ribsy. Maybe I should just put a plug in for all of Beverly Cleary’s books? We love them all!
The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner is also a favorite. There is a big series of these “mystery” books and my boys love the adventures! These are fun to read aloud or fun for the kids to read on their own. You know I used to have my own boxcar and act these stories out, right? LOVE these books!
Encyclopedia Brown, by Donald Lobel is fun because the reader gets to help solve child “crimes” (the kind that involve skateboards and eggs and tennis balls). Once again, there is a whole series of Encyclopedia Brown books and we’ve probably read them all. We have so much fun trying to solve the crime with Encyclopedia!
The Sword in the Tree and other books by Clyde Robert Bulla are fantastic easy reader chapter books that teach history. I have been so impressed with the author’s ability to keep the vocabulary simple, yet teach basic historical facts. Some of our other favorites are Riding the Pony Express, Eagle Feather, Pocahontas and the Strangers…. Ah, there are too many great ones to list!
Helen Keller, by Margaret Davidson is wonderful! Our eight year old just read this book in only two days. This might have been the first book he “had a hard time putting down”. He loved that it was a true story about a remarkable person.
You see now why this is my favorite stage of reading with my kids? Yes, I’ll say that in the next post of this series too…you know I will.
I guess I didn’t mention all the Little House on the Prairie books. My boys haven’t been interested in those, but I sure was when I was younger.
So, what are your favorite beginning chapter books for kids? Share with us!
Laura Coppinger and her husband have four boys ages 5-13. She blogs at Heavenly Homemakers, a site dedicated to inspiring women daily with healthy recipes, homemaking tips, spiritual encouragement and good ol’ clean fun.
