Getting Started with Chapter Books

One of the most exciting times in a young reader's life is when he/she is ready for the first chapter book.  I always enjoy watching the happy face of a younger student as they ask me where a good chapter book would be.   That is why I've created this list of amazing chapter books for the beginner readers, typically 1st - 3rd grade levels.  My goal on this page is to provide books that students will enjoy reading, but not be so heavy or difficult that frustration kicks in.  A first, second or even one hundredth chapter book, should always be one that the student loves to read because it makes them laugh, think, relates to, whatever and can comprehend.

Kylie Jean Series by Marci Peschke
From blueberries to beauty pageants, second grader Kylie Jean wants to be the queen of everything! But in her quest to be the best, this young southern belle learns a few lessons of her own. Mischievous, delightful, and fun, this series will be at the top of every young girl's list!

Reading Level: 2.0 - 3.0
Interest Level: 6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 500 - 640

J.J. Tully Mystery Series by Doreen Cronin

J.J. Tully is a former search-and rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to track down their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work—or is J.J. not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him?

Reading Level: 3.0 - 3.3
Interest Level: 7 - 11 years old
Lexile Level: 570 - 630

EllRay Jakes Series by Sally Warner
EllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: If he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two very different things.

Reading Level: 4.6 - 5.4
Interest Level: 8 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 750 - 840



 

Field Trip Mysteries Series by Steve Brezenoff

In The Painting That Wasn't There, a class visits a temporary art exhibit. The students have learned about illegal copies of masterpieces, so when a celebrated painting is determined to be a forgery, James Shoo and his friends set out to solve the crime. In The Zoo with the Empty Cage, EGG (Edward G. Garrison) is a down-to-earth boy whose science club has an outing to a zoo. The endangered animal that the kids are most looking forward to seeing suddenly disappears. The book becomes a real page-turner as the students look for suspects that even include their teacher. - Elaine Charnow, Deasy/Landing Elementary Schools, Glen Cove, NY for School Library Journal

Reading Level: 2.9 - 3.4
Interest Level: 7 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 390 - 530

Heidi Heckelbeck Series by Wanda Coven

Meet Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi is just like any other 8 year-old. She eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. She hates all vegetables. She picks on her younger brother, Henry. She begrudgingly does her homework. She’s a witch. A witch? Yup. That’s right. Heidi is a witch in disguise.

Reading Level: 2.4 - 3.4
Interest Level: 5 - 8 years old
Lexile Level: 430

Stink Moody Series by Megan McDonald

Shrink, shrank, shrunk!

Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink and it's always the same: three feet, eight inches tall. Stink feels like even the class newt is growing faster than he is. Then, one day, the ruler reads — can it be? — three feet, seven and three quarters inches! Is Stink shrinking? He tries everything to look like he’s growing, but wearing up-and-down stripes and spiking his hair aren't fooling anyone into thinking he's taller. If only he could ask James Madison — Stink's hero, and the shortest person ever to serve as President of the United States.

Reading Level: 2.0 - 3.7
Interest Level:  6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 480 - 530



Flat Stanley Series by Jeff Brown

When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling.  A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick!

Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he's a hero!

Reading Level: 2.4 - 4.5
Interest Level: 7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 480 - 800





Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osbourne
Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark . . . or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?

Reading Level: 2.1 - 4.9
Interest Level: years old
Lexile Level: 230 - 590

The Pain and the Great One Series by Judy Blume
MEET THE PAIN:

My sister's name is Abigail. I call her The Great One because she thinks she's so great. Who cares if she's in third grade and I'm just in first?

MEET THE GREAT ONE:
My brother's name is Jacob Edward, but everyone calls him Jake. Everyone but me. I call him The Pain because that's what he is. He's a first-grade pain. I'll always know exactly what he's thinking. That's just the way it is.

Reading Level: 2.2 - 3.1
Interest Level: 5 - 8  years old
Lexile Level: 370 - 420




Andy Shane Series by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Andy Shane doesn't like school. In particular, he doesn't like Delores Starbuckle, the class know-it-all. Thankfully, Andy has a very wise and understanding grandmother, Granny Webb, who helps Andy find what he needs to teach Delores a lesson!

Reading Level: 2.4 - 3.6
Interest Level: 6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 540 - 610




Down Girl and Sit Series by Lucy Nolan  
Down Girl and Sit protect their masters from all the things that can go wrong in the neighborhood: They bark at paperboys, guard the garbage cans and keep mischievous squirrels at bay. But when Here Kitty Kitty moves in next door, their daily routines are turned topsy-turvy.

Reading Level: 2.2 - 2.9
Interest Level:  5 - 8 years old
Lexile Level: 380 - 440

Here are the real Down Girl and Sit with Lucy Nolan!

My Relative Is a.... Series by Jackie French
Horace's dad is not like other dads. He has silver wings and a green and orange tail. But that's not the worst of Horace's problems. Nasty Sir Sneazle, the most evil teacher at Horace's school, has given him the worst homework assignment of all time: Horace has to kill a dragon. Why couldn't he be told to rescue a damsel? Even writing a hundred pages, like Horace's friend Bernard has to, would be better. Horace knows there's no way he can kill a dragon. Especially since his dad is one. How can he get out of this awful mess?

Reading Level: 2.9 - 3.5
Interest Level:  7 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 530 - 610





The Zack Files Series by Dan Greenburg
What I wanted was a cute little kitten. Instead, I got a tough tomcat that talks. And that's not all! He says he's my Great-Grandpa Julius and he needs my help. And messy litter box or not, family is family!

Reading Level: 2.8 - 4.2
Interest Level:  7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 250 - 570

Roscoe Riley Rules Series by Katherine Applegate
If the kids can't sit still for the class performance, Roscoe's teacher could be in big trouble. Fortunately Roscoe has a plan to save her-a super, mega, gonzo plan! What could go wrong?


Reading Level: 2.9 - 4.5
Interest Level: 7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 340 - 490




Critter Club Series by Callie Barkley

It’s Spring Break in Santa Vista, and everyone has big plans...everyone except for Amy, that is! As her best friends head out of town on exciting adventures, Amy resigns herself to helping out at her mom’s vet clinic. At least she’ll be around cute animals! But when Santa Vista’s cold and elusive millionaire, Marge Sullivan, brings her puppy Rufus for a check-up, Amy encounters an unexpected mystery. After her friends return home, the girls get to the bottom of what happened to Rufus—and discover a way to help other lost and lonely animals in their town.

Reading Level: 2.1 - 2.4
Interest Level: years old
Lexile Level: 460

Young Amelia Bedelia Series by Herman Parish
With Amelia Bedelia, anything can happen!

Amelia Bedelia wants a new bike—a shiny, fast one just like Suzanne's. Amelia Bedelia's mom says that a bike like that is expensive and will cost an arm and a leg. Amelia Bedelia can't give away one of her arms and one of her legs! She needs both arms to steer, and both legs to pedal. What Amelia Bedelia needs is a job!

Look out! Here comes Amelia Bedelia, and she means business!

Reading Level: n/a
Interest Level:  6 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 640

Listen to Herman Parish explain who inspired his Aunt, Peggy Parish, to write Amelia Bedelia.

Zeke Meeks Series by D.L. Green

Instead of playing at recess, Zeke Meeks’ classmates have been sitting around, staring at their boring Puppet Pals. Will Zeke join them, even though he has no interest in this playground craze?

Reading Level: 2.0
Interest Level: 7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 480  - 530

Nancy Clancy: Fancy Nancy Detective Series by Jane O'Connor
Nancy Clancy may be a bit older and more sophisticated, but she hasn't lost her love for fancy words, outrageous fashion, and dramatic flair.

She and her best friend, Bree, have everything they need to solve a mystery, from their totally professional trench coats to their top-secret code. But when crime strikes in their classroom, will these super sleuths be able to crack the case?

Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: years old
Lexile Level: 450 - 470



Mermaid Tales Series by Debbie Dadey

It’s MerGirl Shelly Siren’s first day at a new school, and she is nervous from the tip of her head to the end of her sparkling mermaid tail. How will she ever fit in at the prestigious Trident Academy? Everyone there is so smart and so pretty and so rich. At least she and her best friend, Echo, are in the same class, but so is Pearl, a spoiled know-it-all who only wants to make trouble for Shelly; Rocky, a MerBoy who loves to tease everyone; and Kiki, a shy MerGirl who’s new to Trident City.

At first Shelly and Echo have lots of fun: eating lunch together, trying to make grumpy Mr. Fangtooth smile, and joining after-school clubs. But when Shelly and Echo have an argument about their very first school assignment, Pearl gets involved and makes matters worse. Will Shelly and Echo fix their friendship?

Reading Level: 2.9 - 4.3
Interest Level: 6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 560 - 640




Ricky Ricotta Series by Dav Pilkey
This is the story of Ricky Ricotta, a lonely little mouse that befriends a giant robot, takes on the school bullies, and saves the city from an evil rat scientist--Dr. Stinky McNasty!

Reading Level:  3.2 - 5.2
Interest Level:  4 -8 years old
Lexile Level: 340 - 790

Reading Gives You Super Powers! by Dav Pilkey

Princess Posey Series by Stephanie Greene
Posey is really nervous about starting first grade. Instead of getting walked to her classroom, her mom has to drop her off at the Kiss-and-Go Lane. Then she'll have to walk into school and face the Monster of the Blue Hall all by herself. Worst of all, she has to do it without the one thing that always makes her feel brave and special: the tutu that turns her into the Pink Princess. But when Posey inspires her new teacher to throw a first-day parade in which all the kids are invited to wear whatever makes them feel the most comfortable, first grade starts to look a lot more promising.

Reading Level: 2.1 - 2.8
Interest Level: 5 - 8 years old
Lexile Level: 300 - 380




Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo
To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she’s a porcine wonder. And to the good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons’ bed. BOOM! CRACK!

Reading Level: 1.5 - 3.1
Interest Level: 6 - 9  years old
Lexile Level: 380 - 450

Frankie Pickle Series by Eric Wight
Like most kids, Frankie Pickle hates cleaning his room. But what happens when his mom says he never has to clean it again? For Frankie and his unstoppable imagination, it means he and his sidekick, Argyle, can become explorers swinging on vines, forging paths through piles of clothes, and scooting past lava pits. They can perform flawless surgery on a broken action figure. They can spend time in the big house. They can even become superheroes. But when junk piles grow too high, will all this imagining be enough to conquer . . . the closet of DOOM?

Reading Level: 3.4 - 3.8
Interest Level: 7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 530 - 600

Author Eric Wight shows readers how he draws Frankie Pickle, the star of his famous series.

A-Z Mysteries Series by Ron Roy
Dink and his pals Josh and Ruth Rose solve mysteries in the fun and wacky new series for the Stepping Stone line. When Dink writes to his favorite mystery writer, Wallis Wallace, inviting him to visit Green Lawn, he's amazed when the author accepts. But when the big day arrives, Wallace is nowhere to be found. The police think he's just missed the plane--but Dink suspects foul play.

Reading Level: 2.5 - 4.7
Interest Level:  6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 410 - 650

Ron Roy discusses his A to Z Mysteries series, as well as his newest series, Calendar Mysteries.

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo
Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls — one tiny, one tall, and both utterly irrepressible. Setting out from their super-deluxe tree house and powered by plenty of peanut butter (for Bink) and pancakes (for Gollie), they share three comical adventures involving painfully bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion. No matter where their roller skates take them, at the end of the day they will always be the very best of friends.

Reading Level: 2.3 - 2.5
Interest Level: 6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 270 - 420

Ivy and Bean Series by Annie Barrows
The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quick, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other.

Reading Level: 2.3 - 3.4
Interest Level: 6 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 440- 580

Watch and learn all about Ivy and Bean the series.

Watch and learn all about Ivy and Bean: Doomed to Dance.

Marty McGuire Series by Kate Messner
Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty's absolutely, positively sure that there's been a huge mistake. But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her OWN plan to IMPROVE the play: Why use stuffed-animal frog onstage when a live one would be so much better? In the end, Marty's one-of-a-kind performance makes for an unforgettable show. Maybe Marty CAN live happily ever after, after all!

Reading Level: 2.8 - 3.8
Interest Level: 7 - 10 years old
Lexile Level: 660 - 760

The One and Only Stuey Lewis Series by Jane Schoenberg 
So what if Stuey isn’t the world’s best reader, is only allowed to trick or treat around one block, doesn’t get to play on his soccer dream team, and has to put up with the most annoying girl on the planet. Somehow Stuey always makes life work and when he puts his mind to it, he can survive anything—even second grade.

Reading Level: 2.9 - 3.2
Interest Level: 6 - 9 years old
Lexile Level: 410 - 590