Another book list! This one for the kiddos.

Books for the Younger Set

For those just starting to read/listen to chapter books, age 5/6/7ish, these are some books that didn’t drive me bonkers.

The Junie B Jones series, by Barbara Park. I know some moms find Junie B. to be rude and frustrating and well, she is. But that’s why she’s so entertaining. And yes, her grammar is atrocious, but again, that makes it so real and entertaining. I promise it won’t mess up your kids’ grammar to read it.

The Isadora Moon series, by Harriet Muncaster, I found really cute and not as irritating as some similar series about fairies and mermaids and such. This may be because Isadora is a half fairy, half vampire, which makes her kind of special.

Dangerous Journey, by Oliver Hunkin, which is The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyon. It’s the same story as the original in an abridged version for children, written in semi-Old English, but the illustrations are so engaging, kids will love it despite the language sounding odd to our modern ears. I loved it as a child and all my kids love it, so I think it really is timeless. The words are simple enough to be understood, but you should be prepared for your kids to ask you what words like “pliable” and “formalist” and “discretion” mean (these are all character names).

Chapter Books We All Loved

The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli, is a heart warming story set in medieval times about a boy who finds purpose despite physical limitations. It is written with many medieval terms, and since reading it, my children have been referring to me as “Yon Mither.”

The Harry Potter series, obviously. I loved reading the illustrated by Jim Kay version – it really added to the story, in my opinion.

Anything by Kate DiCamillo, but especially The Tale of Despereaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Truly, she is probably my favorite children’s book author ever, and I have loved every single one of her books. They sometimes make my eyes water, but in the best way. Great for any age.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare, were both excellent and help kids view the world from multiple perspectives, allowing for nuance – so important today! Also, the stories are historical fiction so they will learn some things about colonial America.

The City of Ghosts series, by Victoria Schwab, I have really enjoyed so far. I like learning about the ghost stories of the cities, and the plot has enough action for my daughter, and enough character development for me. Best for ages 10 to 12ish.

The I Survived series, by Lauren Tarshis, includes quite a few books about real historical events and catastrophes, told from the perspective of both real and fictional survivors. They are very exciting, sometimes mildly scary (in a good way), and most definitely interesting and well-researched. Best for ages 9/10ish.

Anne of Green Gables, and the lesser known Emily series, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, are both wonderful classics. I even preferred the Emily books as a kid, though that may have been because I so enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables movies, I don’t really even remember if I read the books. My 10 year old daughter loved the movies as well – the books may be better for a 12 year old.

Science-Fictiony Chapter Books We Loved

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart, is an unusual book that my son discovered and that I really looked forward to reading with him each night. It’s a sort of eccentric story about 4 orphans who become involved in a secret mission to save the world from an evil genius. Best for ages 11/12ish, due to the length more than the content – it is quite long.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, is another science fiction-type classic, about a young misfit saving the world, and her family, by traveling to another universe. Another one of my favorites as a kid, I am just starting to read it to my own older kids, who are ages 10 to 12.

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, was another favorite of mine when I was a kid. My kids have not read it yet, but I would say it is probably appropriate for later middle/earlier high school students. This is the story of an alternate society where everything is ordered and safe, and much joy and pain has been forgotten by the society, the memories kept only by “the Giver.”

Books I Didn’t Love, but My Kids Did

The Dork Diaries series for ages 8/9ish – my daughters love these, and they are entertaining. The voice of the narrator may be slightly annoying (for adults), but it’s very engaging for kids.

The Percy Jackson series for ages 10-13ish, and anything by Rick Riordan. These books are all action, which is why I didn’t love them as much as some others on this list, but if you have an action-loving kid, they will enjoy them, and learn all about the world of Greek gods (and Egyptian, Norse, Roman and other gods, if you read his other series).

The Lord of the Rings books, by Tolkien, for ages 11+ish. Don’t kill me, TLOTR fans. I liked them. The movies are also fun. But they are super long, I’ve read them multiple times, and there were times it felt like a slog for me. The characters and the lessons they learn are, of course, epic and timeless.