Grades K-1: Suggested Beginning Chapter Books
This reading list was created by your Youth Services Librarians and includes great contemporary and classic books for kids.
Beginning Chapter Books are perfect for readers who are moving up from Easy Readers but aren't ready for longer, more complicated novels. They still contain lots of pictures and a large font size. There are many fun and engaging series so newly independent readers will find familiar characters and situations that help to provide context. The depth of the plot and the longer story arc help prepare kids to tackle meatier chapter books in the coming years.
A is for Elizabeth
by Rachel Vail
Mouse and Mole series
by Wong Herbert Yee
Mia Mayhem series
by Kara West
Ballet Cat series
by Bob Shea
Nate the Great series
by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Baby Monkey, Private Eye
by Brian Selznick
Princess Cora and the Crocodile
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Judy Moody and Friends series
by Megan McDonald
Ant and Honey Bee series
by Megan McDonald
Bink & Gollie series
by Kate DiCamillo
Mercy Watson series
by Kate DiCamillo
Henry Heckelbeck series
by Wanda Coven
Monkey and Elephant series
by Carole Lexa Schaefer
Mokie & Bik
by Wendy Orr
Sadiq series
by Siman Nuurali
Squirrel's world
by Lisa Moser
Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol series
by Andres Miedoso
Kung Pow Chicken series
by Cyndi Marko
Hilde Cracks the Case series
by Hilde Lysiak
Murilla Gorilla series
by Jennifer Lloyd
Ling & Ting series
by Grace Lin
Mindy Kim series
by Lyla Lee
The infamous Ratsos series
by Kara LaReau
Houndsley and Catina series
by James Howe
Penny series
by Kevin Henkes
Princess Pistachio series
by Marie-Louise Gay
Yasmin series
by Saadia Faruqi
Owl Diaries series
by Rebecca Elliott
Dodsworth series
by Tim Egan